Collaborative initiatives involving those working in industry, research and HE, as advocated by agencies that, like the Pôle, promote economic competitiveness, are also a cornerstone of France's international development strategy. 

Such innovative projects promoted by the Pôle Mer have to meet the same requirements as those developed at a regional level. So that multidisciplinary collaboration can carry economic development beyond national boundaries, the Pôle Mer is keen to:

• Promote synergy between its members and international stakeholders in the sector

• Encourage its members to position themselves on the markets of tomorrow

• Raise the profile of the network on the international stage

• Inform and be informed

INCREASING NUMBER OF AGREEMENTS

As part of an initiative to form a European network with other clusters, the Pôle Mer Bretagne has begun working more closely with maritime clusters abroad. When signing up to international partnership agreements, the Pôle Mer Bretagne and Pôle Mer PACA flag up the complementary nature of their activities, a key asset that helps them attain critical mass and raises their international profile.

ExAMPLES OF action TAKEN

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• Agreement signed in 2007 with the Schleswig Holstein maritime cluster in Germany.

• Agreement signed in 2007 with the Quebec maritime cluster and projects now underway.

• Agreement signed in November 2008 with the Franco-Norwegian Foundation and participation since October 2007 in its board of management meetings.

• Partnership agreement signed in 2008 with the Libyan Council for Economic Development.

• Agreement signed in June 2009 with the Ligurian District for Marine Technologies in Spezzia in Italy.

Collaborating with the French Navy to promote the Pôle Mer when naval vessels call in at ports abroad, with international missions completed to China, Vietnam, Morocco and Inodnesia.

Taking part in international exhibitions and symposiums: Oceanology International in London, 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec, Sea Tech Week, Biomarine, Euronaval, etc.

Conducting exploratory missions: USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Norway, Netherlands, Quebec, Portugal and Brazil. These missions are often run by Bretagne International or CCI International, or are organised by the Pôle with the help of economic development task forces and technical and scientific advisers attached to embassies.

ROLE OF OVERSEAS TERRITORIES

Overseas territories also benefit from special partnerships with the Pôle, as is demonstrated by the collaborative projects set up with Qualitropic, a centre promoting economic competitiveness on the Island of Reunion. The geographical location and status of overseas territories ensure that they provide a link between implementing our international strategy and opening up regional development opportunities. 

FUTURE Prospects

Collaborative projects are emerging or are in the process of development in the fields of marine biotechnology, fishing and aquaculture and marine renewable energy. 

The creation in 2009 of EMSAC (EUROPEAN MARINE SCIENCE APPLICATIONS CONSORTIUM), a European network of regional centres of innovation focusing on managing principally coastal and estuarine marine resources, will add significant impetus to already exsiting synergies and will create the right conditions for further innovative projects.

Lastly, as part of its ongoing concern with supporting project directors in their quest for funding, the Pôle is taking part in the Medarmor programme aimed at helping members secure European and bilateral funding. Supported by the government (via the Direction générale des entreprises), Medarmor is managed by the Brest Iroise and Quimper technopoles.