Some Considerations for the Establishment of a National Maritime Policy and its Relation with Hydrographic Services

The objective of this paper is to outline the importance of the sea on the growth, development and welfare of nations, as a fact to be considered by the government sectors of each country. An introductory comment and a definition of some national maritime objectives are followed by the main topic, " Issues to be considered when establishing a National Maritime Policy", which is developed in seven sections. The conclusion considers the impact of such a National Maritime Policy on the hydrographic and oceanographic fields and highlights the important role that Hydrographic Services can play in this context. The idea which inspired the drafting of this article is that the suggestions presented, after being developed with further study and review, may be adopted by national institutions as a contribution to the national policy of each country. Public and private debate may help nations to develop a national maritime policy to conduct their future development. The author hopes that the ideas and proposals drafted in the paper will be useful for experts or institutions dealing with maritime affairs or other related activities