4.3

Trends and possible future development prospects are considered for each of the five Focus Areas derived from the Blue Growth study (see point 1.5 above), with an emphasis on innovation and new jobs. Specifically: 4.3.1 Coastal and maritime tourism, which is the largest sector in terms of gross value added and employment, accounts for 2.35 million jobs, which is 1.1 % of the total EU labour force, with over 90 % of the companies concerned employing fewer than 10 people. The sector is expected to grow by 2-3 % by 2020, while cruise tourism alone could create 100 000 new jobs between 2010 and 2020. The yachting sector is expected to grow by 2-3 % per year, according to the European Cruise Council (8). 4.3.2 In 2011, offshore wind accounted for 10 % of installed capacity in Europe, employed 35 000 people directly and indirectly, and represented EUR 2.4 billion in annual investment and a total capacity of 3.8 GW. On the basis of Member States' National Renewable Energy Action Plans, by 2020 wind power is expected to produce 494.6 TWh, of which 133.3 TWh will be generated offshore. This translates into a probable 170 000 jobs by 2020 and 300 000 jobs by 2030. Early-stage sectors such as tidal energy, followed by wave energy (where quite a few Member States have already made substantial investments), offer promising prospects. 4.3.3 Global annual turnover of marine mineral mining can be expected to grow from virtually nothing to EUR 5 billion in the next 10 years and up to EUR 10 billion by 2030, based on estimates given by industrial stakeholders in the Blue Growth study. By 2020 and 2030, 5 % and 10 % respectively of the world's minerals, including cobalt, copper and zinc, could come from the ocean floors. Prices of many non-energy raw materials increased by about 15 % per year during the period 2000-2010, mainly owing to demand from emerging economies, according to WTO data (WTO PRESS/628, 7 April 2011). On the other hand, the exploitation or mining of minerals other than sand and gravel from the sea has only just started and is being developed in shallow water. 4.3.4 In 2010, total aquaculture production in the EU was less than 1.3 million tonnes, giving a turnover of EUR 3.2 billion and providing 80 000 jobs. Over 90 % of aquaculture businesses in the EU are SMEs. Globally, aquaculture is growing at a rate of 6.6 % per year: between 2002 and 2009 output grew from 40 to 53 million tonnes, making aquaculture the fastest-growing animal-food-producing sector (FAO 2010, "The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture"). However, while global demand is increasing, European production remains static and demand for fish in the EU is met through imports, which account for 60-65 % of total supply. The EESC urges the Commission to review its funding policy for aquaculture, which involves switching from subsidies to direct payments for the period 2014-2020, so as to support development of the sector. 4.3.5 The nascent blue biotechnology sector currently employs only a small number of people in Europe and has an estimated gross value added of EUR 0.8 billion. In the very short term, the sector may develop into a niche market for high-value products for the health, cosmetic and industrial biomaterials sectors. By 2020, it could grow into a medium-sized market, expanding into the production of metabolites and primary compounds (lipids, sugars, polymers, proteins) as inputs for the food, feed and chemical industries. In the long term, subject to technological breakthroughs, biotechnology could develop into a provider of mass-market specialised products with high value added.