The European vision for oceans and seas—Social and political dimensions of the Green Paper on Maritime Policy for the EU

The EU Green Paper on Maritime Policy is the European response to the new generation of ocean strategies based on science, technology and innovation aimed at new objectives, such as the strengthening of security and access to new resources. The European character of the proposal is found in the presence of social, cultural and historical elements, what is called the “European vision”. The viability of a European vision of the oceans and the idea of maritime empire as an extension of the current concept of empire within the general context of emerging ocean strategies are the elements offered up for debate on this European Union initiative.     

Growth and Production in Posidonia Oceanica (L.) Delile*

Abstract. In situ investigations of growth and production in a stand of Posidonia oceanica (L.) DELILE at a depth of 4 m at Ischia (Gulf of Naples) were carried out over two growing seasons. Posidonia starts to grow in August and an average bundle produces ten leaves in increasing time intervals until May. Growth curves for the leaves are given. Maximum leaf standing crop is in May with 1300 g dry weight per m^-2, leaf area index at this time reaches 22 m² m^-2. Leaf net productivity is highest in March with 12 g dry weight per m² per day. Annual leaf production is estimated as 3110 g dry weight per m², “underground” production as 115 g dry weight per m². About half the leaf production is exported from the system. Adaptive strategies of the growth and production pattern are discussed.