EU Ocean Pact Response: “Tentative steps forward but critical gaps must be addressed to protect our Ocean”

Six leading environmental NGOs warn that the European Commission’s Ocean Pact falls short of delivering enough binding action urgently needed to protect our ocean. BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and the WWF European Policy Office welcome today’s announcement of a European Ocean Act, which aims to bring coherence to marine … Read more

European Council calls for an ambitious Ocean Pact to foster healthy seas

The European Council has underscored the vital importance of the ocean in strengthening Europe’s resilience, security, and sustainability in the face of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. We welcome this recognition and echo the call for a forward-looking Ocean Pact that is bold and binding. The Blue NGOs call … Read more

Oceana calls on commissioner Costas Kadis to develop a strong Ocean Deal 

In response to the parliamentary hearing of Costas Kadis as EU commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Vera Coelho, Deputy Vice President for Oceana in Europe, stated:  We congratulate Commissioner-designate Costas Kadis on successfully navigating his hearing in the European Parliament. He demonstrated his extensive science and policy background, and showed a solid understanding of the … Read more

#RethinkFisheries and EU “Marine not-so protected areas”

The 2024 edition of EU Ocean Week  took place in October, just after the EU elections, with new political forces in the European Commission and Parliament emerging in Brussels. The next Von der Leyen Commission (2024-2029) is placing Europe’s economic competitiveness at the centre of its political priorities and this will also be reflected in … Read more

Ocean Week, a week to save Europe’s seas

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, … Read more

Blue Manifesto: The roadmap to a healthy ocean in 2030

Imagine a world where the ocean teems with life, marine ecosystems flourish, and where coastal communities thrive in harmony with nature. This vision is not just a dream; it’s an achievable reality, and the Blue Manifesto is our urgent call to action to make it happen. Civil society organisations across Europe have united to provide … Read more

Von der Leyen’s mission letter to new EU Commissioner-Designate for the Ocean sparks concerns that ocean health may only exist on paper

Leading Brussels-based ‘blue NGOs’ congratulate Costas Kadis on his appointment as Commissioner-designate for Fisheries and Oceans, but raise concerns over the direction set by the mission letter published today by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Birdlife Europe & Central Asia, ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas at Risk, Surfrider Europe, and the WWF European Policy Office consider … Read more