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
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
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
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
With Ocean Week taking the stage this week in Brussels (30 September- 4 October), 138 organisations call on the newly elected EU institutions to take a series of bold measures to stop the EU’s ocean and coastlines being pushed to the brink, including launching a Ocean Fund and proposing new legislation to ban destructive activities … Read more
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
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
What’s happening? As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is about to publish mission letters to the newly-designated EU Commissioners, Brussels-based marine NGOs (Birdlife Europe & Central Asia, ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Europe, and the WWF European Policy Office) call on her to outline a clear, overarching mission to the new EU … Read more
In response to the election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, Oceana issued the following statement: “Oceana congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on being re-appointed as President of the European Commission. The announcement of a European Oceans Pact is a welcome first step, because a healthy and productive ocean is … Read more
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We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.
Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.
