There was simply a misunderstanding between us

The final of the Grenelle sea roundtables resulted in July last to the wording in a blue book of 137 commitments covering 504 measures very various. How to prioritize them What are the priorities

I'm suspicious of the designation of some priorities which could result in the abandonment and other necessary actions. In this case, I consider that everything is a priority, because the stakes are high. The sea is in fact the first "potential life" of humanity, a potential food, medical, energy, scientific, economic,... But this extraordinary potential suffers from a lack of scientific knowledge and it is threatened by major perils. Maritime transport greenhouse gas emissions are now exceed those of air transport, waste thrown 300 kilometres inland can get led sea 300 miles from the coast, and one examples could be multiplied to infinity. Second world maritime countries by the extent of its exclusive economic zone and its presence in all the oceans, the France has a special responsibility in this area. We must therefore all to implement to preserve our maritime heritage and to draw all its potential. Of course, it is a case of very long breath with actions falling within the court, of the medium and the long term, but the only way forward is to take the folder as a whole.

Where is it in the implementation of these commitments

The essence of an approach of the type round table, is that the parties concerned (State, elected, companies, trade unions, associations for the protection of the environment) are agreed on the level of ambition the highest acceptable by all. Concerning the Grenelle sea, this goal has then been validated by the President of the Republic, in his speech on 16 July last at le Havre. Now, place in the finalization of the modalities to achieve this. We have created 15 working groups to deal with subjects as various that the ship of the future, the port of the future, the establishment of a die for dismantling end-of-life ships, marine energies or the assessment of the impact of the extraction of marine materials, etc. With regard to the fight against pollution, we thus able to develop a tracer in the fuel which would identify the authors of degassing at sea. We have also assigned to the Deputy-Mayor of Pornic, Philippe Boënnec, and Marie-Hélène Aubert, former member of Parliament for Greens in the European Parliament, a mission of reflection on the deep water fishing.

In this regard, you had entrusted the chairmanship of this mission to the former Socialist Minister Louis Le Pensec. But he resigned, believing that his mission had more place to be since that the France was at the United Nations for a prohibition of fishing...

I have great esteem for Louis Le Pensec. There was simply a misunderstanding between us. A working group set up and this is the essence.

To return to the implementation of the commitments of the round table, we are therefore preparing with our colleagues in the Government of the Interdepartmental Committee of the sea to be held before the end of the year.

What will be his agenda

The large piece will be the adoption of the blue book of the national strategy for the sea, which will confirm the commitments of Grenelle sea and propose topics which have not been addressed in the round table, touching for example the defence or the Organization of the various services of the State in the field of maritime policy, as well as various international issues.

Going on towards the creation of a coastguard

It is actually contemplated.

French Polynesia has a considerable maritime domain, but there is only a ship of war to the monitor.

Your example is very relevant. I would not for what reason we ask not to any vessel entering the area to declare with reasons, its destination, its cargo. Once you have this information, it is much easier to act effectively that when it is merely a control a posteriori. Answer us that this would pose a lot of problems, but well, he is Chile! And with satellites in orbit around the Earth, began to be able to handle the technical aspects of monitoring. Otherwise, you are right, a building for monitoring an also huge area, it makes no sense.

Should tax the use of the sea, while the International Convention of Montego Bay, the international maritime Organization (IMO) establishes the principle of freedom of movement at sea and so free

The question of free for all uses of the sea is raised and we are committed in the round table to conduct this reflection by the next summer. I is without prejudice to the answers. But more generally, the France wants more regulation in the high seas, to better combat for example maritime pollution and illegal fishing. If this means to fight for a change in the global rules of governance of the seas, for example the status or the geographic limits of international waters, well we will fight because, in some areas, existing frameworks of international conventions are more adapted to the situation.

Need to reform the IMO

The fact that there are areas of lawlessness in the oceans while the sea is a common good of humanity is a real question. We believe that the world is in need of a veritable United Nations of the sea, an instance that is not only the professional organization of maritime transport, but a global organization taking into account the environment of the sea and the oceans in all its dimensions. Of course, the task is huge and we need allies, but I travel in the world and I realize that on this type of subject, mentalities evolve at a very high speed.

I would add that the France is now represented by an Ambassador in the IMO, and we are working with Bernard Kouchner for quickly send them instructions.