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October 16, 2024

Ocean Week, a week to save Europe’s seas

BY: Oceana Web

Topics: EU Ocean Deal

 

October 2024 marked a trailblazing moment in EU policy as we unveiled the updated Blue Manifesto during EU Ocean Week. This roadmap, endorsed by over 140 organisations, lays out clear steps to secure a healthy ocean by 2030. As ocean lovers, we know just how important it is to protect and restore these vital ecosystems. Now, we have a plan to make it happen. 

Our event brought together members of the European Parliament (MEPs), NGOs, and policy experts to discuss the urgent need for a comprehensive Ocean Deal. With nearly half of Europe’s population living within 50 kilometres of the coastline, our oceans are vital to our culture, livelihoods, and the planets health.  

Low impact fisheries and marine conservation policies

Ocean Week was a week of debates, exhibitions and other events to celebrate Europe’s seas and explore how to rebuild their abundance. Oceana experts organised or participated in several events [click on photo gallery below!]:

  • Photo exhibition of low-impact fishers across Europe. Our fisheries team put together an open-air exhibition in front of the European Parliament, sharing the stories and insights of four fishers dedicated to providing fresh, high-quality seafood and supporting the sustainability and heritage of their communities. The opening event featured Denmark’s Director of the Association for Gentle Coastal Fishing Producers (FSK-PO), as well as MEP Isabella Lövin.
  • Rethink Fisheries! For thriving seas and communities. This event gathered artisanal fishers, scientists, and policy makers in a tent in front of the European Parliament to discuss how fisheries and marine conservation policies can work together to support an abundant and productive European ocean. 
  • Ocean Lab. In order to highlight ocean issues and inform the new MEPs, this capacity-building effort focused on five topics: fisheries and food, energy transition, biodiversity and climate change, pollution, and blue economy and just transition. Scientists, national experts and campaigners made themselves available to MEPs to drop by and understand what is at stake and what they could do about it.
  • Driving the energy transition and climate resilience in EU fisheries. This seminar provided insights from top scientific experts and perspectives from small-scale, low-impact fishers on sustainable fishing practices and the sector’s energy transition. The speakers discussed how the EU can ensure a fair transition that supports both the industry’s competitiveness and the resilience of coastal communities. Members of the European Parliament, the fishing industry, EU media, and civil society organizations.