Αναγνώστες

Δευτέρα 14 Απριλίου 2008

EUROPEAN YOUTH OCEANS FORUM



Summary Declaration
Brussels
27-28 November 2007
Reporters: Bart Koole, Maritime Institute de Ruyter, Flushing, Netherlands
Nadja Köppen, Fachhochschule Oldenburg Fachbereich für
Seefahrt Elsfleth, Germany
Introduction
We, the participants of the 1st Blue Planet Forum, from all over Europe,
have come together to express our thoughts, concerns and
recommendations on the state of the ocean.
These thoughts are summarized and embodied in this final presentation.
It moreover details our ideas on creating links between populations,
common European regulations, the support of research and training.
We are in agreement that the ocean has gone well beyond its operating
capacity and therefore ask the European community to step up the
commitments it has taken, to take action and protect the ocean, its
resources and environment, for future generations.
Enforcement of common laws in Europe
The ocean has no frontiers: well established regulations of EU member
states should be also applied in neighbor states that share the same seas
concerning preservation of biodiversity, fish stocks, maritime safety and
pollution. We recommend:
• Common European regulations to create protected coastlines areas
such as it exists in France – Conservatoire du littoral.
• Creation of groups of volunteers to take care of these zones.
• Enforcement of common laws in Europe for the transportation of
dangerous goods and improvement of punishment against outlaws.
• All vessels entering European area should meet European standards.
• Standardization of shore side electricity
• Coordination of coast guards in Europe, control of position of the
fishing boats.
• Education and re-education are necessary for the people who
pollute, fish illegally etc. to make them understand what they have
done
Enforce training
Many training exist but we can improve them; we recommend:
• The EU should make stronger standards for nautical students and
future captains / engineers, instead of following IMO regulations
(STCW’95). Be better and environmental friendlier than the other
parts of the world, higher level of European environmental training.
• Positive image of maritime business to the world
Support research
We think that the research can play an important role to discover new
ways to contribute to the good state of the sea. We recommend :
• Network on maritime sectors (studies on fisheries, sailing for
example). We need one knowledge base to gather the different
studies.
• More long term research on changes caused by pollution in order to
prevent pollution in early stage.
• Check if the new ideas about the protection of the environment are
effective and have a positive impact.
Create links between sea and populations
We think that it’s very important to create
. links between different categories of people: scientist, policy makers
and citizens,
. links between inland and coastline people (make people aware that
the pollution in the big cities has an impact on the ocean environment;
it is not always the fisherman or the seaman).
. links between member states and countries living by the same seas
(black sea, Mediterranean sea) and we don’t forget the overseas
territories.
We want to encourage
• Information by Internet with complete transparency (Website:
www.cleanship.info, portal, Forums for the general public, access to
raw data)
• More media information on the sea for example street interactive
presentations, educational games, television sea programs
• Celebration of the World Ocean Day on June 8 all over European
Union countries
• Eco café: easy going meeting places
• Educational programme to include all people from the coast or
inland to give information.
• Direct contact with the ocean and excursions to aquariums, sea life
centres;
• European contest involving young pupils.
• Commitment of volunteers (beach clean-up activities, nature
camp)
• Involvement of celebrities in information campaign
Conclusion
As youth living on a planet of which almost 70% is covered by water, we
have come together to appeal to all stakeholders involved to protect this
large part of our planet – to protect the use of the life and resources it
gives, to recognize its importance and to enforce the decisions taken,
decisions that will not only affect us, but that will have a long term effect
on all future generations.
This is our commitment – is it yours?

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