Bringing the Atlantic Maritime Strategy to life

Key players from across the maritime sector will come together in Porto on 20th January to share ideas and unlock funding for projects under the Atlantic Maritime Strategy Action Plan.

This first annual Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference, jointly organised by the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Maritime Policy of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Sea, will act as a catalyst for getting joint projects in

Atlantic Ocean area off the ground to start delivering the jobs and growth the region needs.

Over 400 participants will take part in twenty stakeholder-led workshops on topics covering the entire spectrum of the maritime sector including aquaculture, marine biotech, marine litter, maritime safety, coastal tourism and territorial cooperation in the Atlantic. All of themes reflect the priorities agreed under the Atlantic Action Plan to drive the 'blue economy' forward.

The marine and maritime sectors that make up the 'blue economy' have the potential to provide more jobs by 2020. These jobs will be found not only in emerging sectors, such as offshore renewable energy, but also through revitalising traditional maritime industries. The Atlantic area can make a significant contribution to this 'blue growth'. This Action Plan, part of the Commission's Atlantic Strategy, sets out priorities for research and investment to drive the ‘blue economy’ forwards in the Atlantic area. The EU's Atlantic countries will draw on the plan to help create sustainable and inclusive growth in coastal areas.

The event will be opened by Mr. Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto who will speak alongside  Hon. Manuel Pinto de Abreu, Secretary of State for the Sea of the Portuguese Government, Ms Lowri Evans, Director General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, Mr Emídio Gomes, President of the Regional Development and Coordination Commission of the North Region, and Mr Ricardo Serrão Santos, Member of the European Parliament.