On 25 August, the State Secretariat for Maritime Affairs launched the National Strategy for the Sea and the Coast for the period 2023–2029.

The National Strategy for the Sea and the Coastline brings together all sectoral policies relating to maritime and coastal areas. It sets out the broad guidelines for maritime and coastal spatial planning, which will be implemented and put into practice along the mainland’s coastlines and in the overseas maritime basins, through strategic coastal zone documents (DSF) and strategic overseas sea basin documents (DSBM) in the overseas territories.

The strategy identifies four key priorities: carbon neutrality, biodiversity, social equity and the maritime economy.

For two months, anyone who wishes to do so may submit comments or proposals by completing the online questionnaire: jeparticipe.expertises-territoires.fr

“This is a major challenge: to demonstrate to our fellow citizens the coherence of public policies and how they are developed through

analysis, dialogue and compromise. 

We have begun a consultation process with all local stakeholders to ensure the best possible balance between all maritime uses: marine renewable energy, fisheries, aquaculture, the protection of marine areas, recreational boating and transport. Together with the Minister for the Energy Transition, Agnès PANIER-RUNACHER, and Christophe BECHU, Minister for the Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, I have signed a directive to the Prefects to officially launch this planning process. Power capacity ranges for offshore wind energy will also be defined for each coastline, with a 10-year timeframe and a target date of 2050.

Strict protection zones will be established to address the challenges of biodiversity conservation and compatibility with economic activities. Against a backdrop of increasing offshore activity, an energy crisis and a climate emergency, the offshore planning
process, which I am coordinating, must address the major challenges currently facing our seas and coastlines, whilst ensuring the protection of the marine

environment
and the development of the maritime economy”, Hervé BERVILLE / Parliamentary Secretary for Maritime Affairs.

Source: Le Marin 13 September 2023 / Mer et Marine 13 September 2023 / Press release from the State Secretariat for Maritime Affairs 12 September 2023.