ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the extent to which the European Community (EC) has developed its own marine policies and explains the emergence of such policies. Indeed, the EC has become a new marine political actor. In respect to marine policy the scope of the EC has clearly expanded over the years, starting with the first Common Fisheries Policy in 1970, then revised because of the first enlargement of membership in 1973 and later because of the introduction of 200-mile fishing zones in 1977. The marine geographic situations of the EC member countries vary tremendously. Some of them, such as the UK and Eire, have long coasts and broad continental shelves. In respect to land-based pollution the Commission took part in the Paris conference, 1973-1974, which negotiated the Paris Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution arising from Land-Based Sources. EC decisions in the marine environmental area have been limited to recommendations and directives.
