Commissioner Kadis kicks off European Ocean Pact with High-Level Fisheries and Ocean Dialogue

Today, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, launched the first Fisheries and Ocean Dialogue, a crucial step in shaping the European Ocean Pact. The high-level roundtable gathering brought together a diverse array of policymakers, stakeholders, and experts to discuss the future of the EU's ocean governance.

The meeting, hosted by Commissioner Kadis, featured key figures including Ministers from the EU Council Presidencies and France (hosting the United Nations Ocean Conference in June), Carmen Crespo Díaz, Chair of the European Parliament's PECH Committee, Thomas Bajada, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s SEARICA intergroup, former Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Karmenu Vella, as well as representatives from advisory councils, NGOs, Think Tanks, the industry, and the research community.

Participants tackled pressing issues facing the EU's ocean governance model, including the challenges and priorities for addressing them. They explored measures to protect biodiversity and promote ecosystem-based management of the ocean, as well as opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation in the EU's blue economy. The dialogue also focused on supporting the resilience and sustainability of coastal communities and cities in the EU's various sea basins. The discussions will inform the development of the European Ocean Pact, a key initiative aimed at bringing in more coherence across the various policy fields linked to the ocean.

The Fisheries and Ocean Dialogues will continue with the European Ocean Days in Brussels on 5 March.

This marks a significant step forward in shaping the European Ocean Pact, which is expected to play a crucial role in the ocean governance.