The Islands Commission highlights the island dimension and the specific issues of islands in the CPMR’s work and action on Maritime Affairs.

The CPMR is by definition the organisation keen and dedicated to promoting maritime affairs and strongly contributed to the creation of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). Since then, it has been supporting efforts to strengthen the governance of the IMP and the “blue growth” approach, for a sustainable blue economy at EU level, and acknowledges the relevance of an ecosystem-based  approach into marine and maritime related policymaking.

Island are obliged to combine two essential requirements – preservation and development. They need to protect the most outstanding natural areas, with often endemic biodiversity, and at the same time give the right place to sustainable blue economic activities, such as tourism or fishing. Island territories can also become centres for research, spearheading innovation in ocean sciences. 

On maritime and costal tourism, islands are working together to ensure the sustainable development of this sector. Their action is mainly focused on: 

  • regenerating coastal areas hit by the effects of mass tourism,
  • collecting and exploiting tourism statistical data,
  • identifying good practices that can be capitalised upon in EU cooperation projects,
  • promoting island

The issues of the development of a sustainable blue economy and the adaptation of the tourism sector are also among those that the Islands Commission recommends including in the project of the EU islands Pact. 

The Islands Commission also works closely with MEPs from the Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup of the European Parliament (SEARICA). The Intergroup has indeed appointed a member of the board responsible for Islands, and makes sure that the European Union takes into account the specific challenges faced by islands.