Brussels – The EU has some of the world’s strongest nature laws, but they are routinely ignored: many of its marine protected areas still allow exceptionally destructive fishing. A new coalition of environmental organisations is launching to ensure those laws are finally enforced. This comes one year after environmental organisations filed landmark legal complaints against six EU Member States for allowing … Read more
National Restoration Plans are an opportunity to expand the network of strictly protected areas in the marine environment. They are a chance that cannot be missed in order to strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems faced with climate change and rising sea temperatures, including marine heatwaves such as those currently affecting the Mediterranean and which … Read more
At a time when global powers are stepping back from environmental commitments, the Azores have chosen a different path. An autonomous region of Portugal, this archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the North Atlantic has taken a bold step and set a standard that other European countries could do well to follow. Created in 2024, the … Read more
Oceana celebrates the ratification of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also called High Seas Treaty). Vera Coelho, Oceana’s Deputy Vice President in Europe, said: “Today we celebrate the 60th ratification of the High Seas Treaty by Morocco, which means this groundbreaking international agreement will enter into force … Read more
About 250 kilometres southwest of Cape St. Vincent lies a remarkable underwater mountain known as the Gorringe Bank. This seamount rises some 5000 metres from the ocean floor and provides a unique haven for marine life in the North-East Atlantic. Oceana’s expeditions Between 2005 and 2012, Oceana carried out three research expeditions to the Gorringe … Read more
Ocean advocates took to the streets of Nice, France ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference to call for stronger ocean protection. Organised by a coalition of marine and environmental NGOs led by Brussels-based Seas At Risk, the march comes just days after the announcement of the European Commission’s Ocean Pact, at a time when … Read more
The announcement takes place a few days ahead of the release of the EU Ocean Pact and the beginning of the UN Ocean Conference Oceana applauds the ratification of the High Seas Treaty by the EU and six Member States as a confirmation of the bloc’s commitment to protect 30% of the global ocean by … Read more
The EU Council has officially adopted the Nature Restoration Law today, marking the first major piece of legislation aimed at restoring nature in the past thirty years! This regulation mandates the restoration of marine habitats and addresses destructive fishing practices, thereby enhancing the ocean’s role as the planet’s largest carbon store and bolstering biodiversity and … Read more
The EU has passed the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). It’s the first time in over 30 years that legally binding rules have been set to bring nature back to Europe. What does it mean exactly for Europe’s seas and marine life? Damaged marine habitats will be restored From climate-friendly seagrass meadows to precious habitats like … Read more
The extension of the park, effective from 2019, lacks appropriate protection and management measures to protect the area from industrial fishing The Government, responsible for the park, now has an opportunity to commit to real and ambitious protection after years of delay Oceana urges the Balearic Government to effectively protect the Cabrera Archipelago National Marine-Terrestrial … 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.
