Created in 1995, le secrétariat général de la mer (SGMer), the Secretariat General for the sea, is an inter-ministerial department of the Prime Minister Office. It was created to answer the deeply cross-sectoral dimension of maritime policy.  The SGMer leads and coordinates the Government action in this field. It speeds decisions and ensures that strategic policies are effectively implemented. It is also in charge of monitoring legal texts and recommending adjustments if necessary. Each and every aspect related to maritime policy may be included into the Secretariat’s scope of activity: sovereignty as much as security and safety, as well as environmental preservation, or maritime economy, innovation and research, etc. are concerned.  

The SGMer plans ahead the inter-ministerial committee for the sea (called CIMER in French) which is an important tool supporting this coordination. The Secretariat General sets up the Committee’s discussions and oversees the execution of the decisions taken. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the CIMER is the opportunity to promote important decisions which cover all maritime fields. 

Finally, a special responsibility is entrusted to the SGMer regarding the coordination of the State Action at sea. It leads and coordinates the action of the maritime prefect for the mainland and the delegates of the Government for the overseas territories. The SGMer has also the duty to elaborate policy led in compliance with the coast guard Function. For this, it chairs the executive committee of the coast guard Function which gathers all administrations in charge. It is also the contact person for all coast guards authorities at an international level. 

Useful links

Website: https://www.gouvernement.fr/secretariat-general-de-la-mer-sgmer 

Twitter:   @SGMer