Resolution No. 39/2017 approving the Policy and Strategy of the Sea (POLMAR).

The Policy and Strategy of the Sea contributes to the consolidation of a national agenda for the sustainable, integral and multi-sectoral management of marine and coastal areas, access to and use of marine and coastal renewable and non-renewable resources and should be considered as a basis for adoption and implementation of specific sectoral policies. The Policy and Strategy of the Sea are set out to address the following focal issue: low economic, social and environmental benefits caused by inadequate planning, weak monitoring and poor coordination of access to, use and exploitation of natural capital at sea and in coastal areas. The Policy and Strategy of the Sea pursues the following objectives: strengthen the exercise of State sovereignty over maritime jurisdictional waters; develop a blue, profitable and sustainable economy at sea; promote the empowerment of national citizens and enterprises to engage in economic activities at sea and in coastal areas; promote technological and scientific development at sea, giving priority to research, innovation and extension, etc. Responsible fisheries and aquaculture provide food security and economic growth, with impacts on reducing unemployment and reducing levels of protein shortages. Fishing promotes the improvement of fishing and aquaculture production capacity and the marketing of fishery products through value-added processes contributing to the improvement of the food and nutritional security of the population (secs. 52-54).