The European Commission on Thursday unveiled its ‘European Ocean Pact,’ aimed at tackling pollution, overexploitation, and disruption induced by climate change.
The pact comprises a strategy with six priorities, providing a unified framework for various legislations affecting coastal areas, coast guards, the blue economy, and fishing, among others.
To achieve its goals, the Commission relies primarily on a legislative proposal known as the ‘Ocean Act,’ expected to be presented to community legislators in 2027.
Using marine ecosystems to sequester CO2
This Act will be based on the revision of the maritime spatial planning directive, which has facilitated the harmonisation of marine zone management among countries amid sometimes competing ecological, social, and economic interests.
The creation of ‘blue carbon reserves,’ which involve using marine ecosystems to sequester CO2, is part of the plan, which recognises their critical role in mitigating climate change.
The Commission also plans to evaluate the common fisheries policy, with a “long-term vision” to be announced in 2026.
The strategy is slated for presentation by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in Nice from 9 to 13 June.
Oceans linked to about five million jobs in the EU
At a press conference on Thursday, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, noted that oceans are connected to approximately “five million jobs in the Union” and account for “80% of global biodiversity.”
The Commission’s strategy outlines six priorities, including “protecting and restoring ocean health” and “enhancing the competitiveness of the Union’s sustainable blue economy.”
Another key priority is protecting and supporting coastal and island communities.
“We will encourage Member States to designate and manage marine protected areas and ensure the implementation of existing environmental legislation, such as the Habitats Directive and the Nature Restoration Regulation,” Commissioner Kadis announced.
Belgium leads the way, with 35.04% of its waters covered by managed protected areas
However, environmental organisations have expressed concern over the lack of sufficient implementation.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) remarked this week that “while the framework often exists, implementation is weak or absent,” particularly regarding marine protected areas.
According to a WWF report, only 2.04% of European seas are covered by managed protected areas, which, without effective management, remain purely symbolic.
Belgium leads Europe in terms of protected areas, with 35.04% coverage, according to the report. However, levels of ambition, especially regarding biodiversity protection, and the effective monitoring of planned actions vary significantly across states, presenting a significant problem, says the WWF.
Opinions divided on bottom trawling
After leaked documents from the “pact” surfaced in mid-May, environmental organisations criticised the lack of “concrete actions to address the most urgent threats.”
Various NGOs, including Surfrider, WWF, ClientEarth, and Oceana, are calling for an immediate ban on bottom trawling, a fishing technique criticised for its destructive ecological impact.
This technique, employed and defended by Flanders, has seen recent collaborative support with the Netherlands to advocate for its continuation at the European level.
