Towards Integrated Coastal and Ocean Policies in France: a Parallel with Japan

Abstract

Launched at the end of May 2007, the first phase of the so-called “Grenelle Environment Round Table” ended in October 2007. This large national consultation started a process for an overall environmental review and a shift in strategy in regard to issues like fighting climate change, protecting and managing biodiversity and natural environments, protecting health and the environment, while promoting economic growth, and developing an ecologically responsible democracy. Following the screening and gathering of more than 200 proposals in all domains, a second building phase started in December 2007 in order to specify these proposals as regards their technical and financial feasibility and to elaborate the content of a first Grenelle Act, which was submitted to the Parliament in July 2008 and adopted in June 2009. Among the 32 steering committees, one was devoted to the integrated management of the seas and the coasts under national jurisdiction (COMOP 12). This committee was chaired by a Member of Parliament and composed of about 15 members representing a number of public agencies, socio-professional organizations, and regional governments. It is comprised of the working groups covering the topics of governance and integrated management, fisheries, and impact of land-based pollutions. Very early, the committee members agreed that there was an urgent need to fill the current void in regard to coastal and marine planning by addressing the overall governance framework through which the users and uses of oceans and seas could be regulated. In doing so they were in line with the current European policy expressed in the blue paper on Maritime Policy and its environmental component, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Both integrate the need for a dual EU/regional approach, the setting up of Marine Eco-Regions as management units, and the need for cooperation among Member States for devising marine strategies, notably through the use of existing instruments deriving from national and international agreements. Taking into consideration the European framework, the committee built up an overall governance and planning scheme, the details of which are given in its final report (COMOP 12, 2008). Most of its recommendations have since then been included into the second Grenelle Environment Act that was to be enacted by the end of 2009. The proposals were as follows: Strategic planning: management requires the definition of a vision, principles, and objectives for planning at an appropriate scale. Maritime strategic planning is used as a benchmark for maritime activity development and environmental protection. The national ecosystem-based vision and framework should be developed as a National Maritime Strategy for the Coast and the Sea, which then should allow more specific regional strategic plans to be prepared by local stakeholders and decision-makers in collaboration with the State. Governance: management of the coast and the sea, a common good should concern all stakeholders, public and private; new forms of governance should be set up at appropriate scales from the national to local level: at the national level there should be a National Coastal and Marine Board (following the existing National Coastal Board); at the inter-regional level, there should be Regional Coastal and Marine Boards for each of the selected marine eco-regions or maritime basins. Funding: beyond the need to maintain the existing resources for the management of the sea, the COMOP 12 emphasized the need for a funding instrument and mechanism devoted to the maritime activities and related programs or projects. This funding would be sourced from maritime activities taxes (licenses) as well as water taxes through corresponding water agencies and would take the name of National Fund for Management of the Coast and the Sea. Since then, these principles and goals, soon to be confirmed by the law, have been further developed in the frame of the Grenelle of the Sea, which will last till the end of 2009.