Citizens' conference on the sea and coastline

From the water of our rivers to the ocean
What local actions?

As an extension of the Breizh Cop, the network of Breton development councils is organising the 2nd Citizens' Conference on the Sea and the Coast on 12 November 2019 in Océanopolis in Brest.

Based on the discussions carried out by the Breton development councils in their respective territories, the objective of these meetings is to bring the contribution of civil society and citizens to local policies related to the sea and coastline in a context of tensions related to water resources, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Innovations and experiments are already underway in the Breton maritime countries with the financial support of the Brittany Region and Europe, in particular within the framework of the FEAMP. Given the major challenges facing Brittany in terms of both fresh and marine water, this meeting will seek to promote good practices and local solutions in order to mobilise all public and private stakeholders for a coordinated and effective water policy in Brittany.

Pre-program :

1:30 pm - welcome

14h00 - Round table: Local issues and actions for the sustainable development of maritime territories.

In a context of necessary improvement of water quality in rivers and on the coast, experiments and actions have been undertaken, particularly with the agricultural community. How can we go further? How to reduce the impact of human activities, whether urbanization or economic activities

15h30 - Workshops: issues, perspectives and courses of action related to water quality

1. Seafood and biodiversity: how to preserve resources by guaranteeing the necessary water quality? Whether it is coastal fishing, the seaweed sector of aquaculture or shellfish farming, these economic activities are strongly linked to water quality. To enable them to become sustainable and develop, how can we support the sector locally? How can we improve the links between scientists and economic actors to better understand the phenomena at work?
2. Impact of terrestrial human activities: how to reduce their impact? Whether it is agriculture, industrial activities or housing, what local actions can be implemented to preserve water resources? In a context of climate change and more numerous meteorological events (heat waves, storms, heavy rains, drought periods, etc.), how can we improve water management and ensure its quality?
3. Recreational activities (tourism, boating, swimming), what changes are desirable? The impact of recreational activities on an increasingly popular Breton coastline is undeniable. How can we better manage the waste generated by these activities and mitigate their impact on the environment? Faced with increasing tourist pressure, whether it is household waste, plastic packaging, toxic waste from the maintenance of recreational boats, etc., what local solutions can be developed?
4. Port activities in transition (innovations, circular economy, etc.): what actions can be taken to limit their impact on water quality? Technological progress is already underway to limit the impact of industrial port activities on water quality. How can we go further?  How to disseminate good practices (management of effluents but also of inputs, treatment of black water, deconstruction, recycling...), in the many ports that line the Breton territory and limit their impact on coastal waters?

16h30 - Coffee break

17h00 - Restitution of the workshops and conclusion of the work.