Oceana’s reaction to the appointment of Ursula von der Leyen

Press Release Date: July 18, 2024

Location: Brussels

Contact:

Natividad Sánchez | email: nsanchez@oceana.org | tel.: +34 687 598 529

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 vital for a stable climate, for prosperous European fisheries and the blue economy, and for the well-being of EU citizens. In light of the planned separation of EU Commissioners’ portfolios for the environment and the ocean, it is even more critical that this Oceans Pact be based on ensuring a healthy and abundant ocean. The Green Deal was a game changer for climate and the environment – now it is time to give the ocean the importance it deserves,” said Pascale Moehrle, Vice President for Oceana in Europe.

“The outgoing Commission secured important milestones for preserving and restoring the ocean, like the Biodiversity Strategy, the Fisheries Control Regulation, and the Nature Restoration Law. We look forward to furthering these policies with the next Commission, and to working with President von der Leyen and her team to secure a sustainable future for the ocean and the communities that depend on it.  One crucial way to achieve this is to better implement the Common Fisheries Policy.”

Learn more:

Statement at the European Parliament Plenary by President Ursula von der Leyen, candidate for a second mandate 2024-2029

An Ocean of Change. A joint manifesto for the 2024 European elections