Poole to host European Maritime Day in 2017 (BBC)

From:  BBC

Poole has been successful in its bid to host European Maritime Day in 2017.

The event, held annually on 20 May, includes a two-day conference with speeches led by maritime experts from all over Europe.

Topics will include renewable energy, sustainable fishing and coastal erosion.

A maritime-themed festival featuring tall ships, flotillas, a pageant, and yacht and power boat racing is also planned.

Conservative MEP Julie Girling, who represents South-West England said: “This is an opportunity to really put Poole on the map in Europe and showcase what a great place it is.”

It will be jointly funded by businesses and the EU.

This year’s event took place in Valletta, Malta. Bremen, Germany, will host next year’s.

European Maritime Day was created by the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on 20 May 2008.