Poole to host European Maritime Day 2017
The Borough of Poole was named by the Council of the European Commission as successful bidder to host the European Maritime Day in May 2017.
This internationally important maritime event is held annually on 20th May to showcase the importance of the sea in our everyday lives - enabling transportation of food and vital supplies, providing jobs and a thriving economy and enhancing leisure and relaxation opportunities.
The conference brings together key stakeholders involved in the maritime sector from shipbuilding to offshore energy, the coastal environment and tourism to address the major challenges they face.
As part of Poole’s bid, four key subject areas were proposed for the conference theme – renewable energy; spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management; safety and security and protecting coastal ecosystems. The theme will be selected nearer the time as topical interests can fluctuate.
Poole’s successful bid, which will be jointly funded by business and the EU, will provide a fantastic opportunity for the town’s economy and the event promises to boost the town’s position amongst the maritime community across Europe. The event will bring in thousands of visitors as well as influential people in the maritime sector.
The real focus of the event is the two-day conference which is about moving forward the European maritime policy. This is important in terms of all European Union countries working together to ensure a number of factors - our seas are safe and secure to enable free movement of our essential freight and trade, that coastal erosion and development is managed appropriately to prevent tidal flooding and that resources such as fish, minerals and energy are obtained in a sustainable way to protect the seas and oceans for the future.
The conference will be accompanied by a maritime festival lasting several days and gives Poole the opportunity to celebrate its maritime heritage on a scale never seen before here.
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