The seas are the source of life itself, and a majority of living organism call the oceans home. Meanwhile, marine biodiversity has been under growing pressure from human activity for decades.
Better protection of marine ecosystems brings substantial health, social and economic benefits to coastal communities and the EU as a whole. The need for action is even more acute as marine and coastal ecosystem biodiversity loss is severely exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
Against this background, the EU Biodiversity Strategy sets out that 30% of the EU’s sea should be protected by 2030 (+19% compared to 2020). And whereas only 1% of EU marine areas are strictly protected today, at least one third of protected areas (or 10%) should be strictly protected in the future.
Healthy fish stocks are key to the long-term prosperity of fishermen and the health of our oceans and biodiversity. An ecosystem-based management approach will gradually reduce the adverse impacts of fishing, extraction and other human activities, especially on sensitive species and seabed habitats.
On 21 February 2023 the Commission adopted a new action plan on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries. The action plan contributes to delivering on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its commitment to legally and effectively protect 30% of our seas, with one third being strictly protected. To fulfill this goal, the Commission calls on Member States to take fisheries conservation measures to protect and manage marine protected areas (MPAs) effectively, with a clear timeline. These efforts should include the protection of fish spawning and nursery areas, the reduction of fish mortality rates and the restoration of core areas for sensitive species and habitats.
Another objective of the plan is to reduce the impact of fishing on the seabed. Urgent protection and restoration of seabed habitats in MPAs is critical, given their significance as hotspots of EU marine biodiversity. The Commission, therefore, calls on Member States to propose joint recommendations and take national measures to phase out mobile bottom fishing in all MPAs by 2030 at the latest and not to allow it in any newly established MPAs.
Together with Member States and international partners, the EU is also leading efforts to promote marine protection worldwide. This includes the creation of new Antarctic MPAs, as key deliverables under the EU International Ocean Agenda and the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
Regionalisation and recommendations from EU countries
The current common fisheries policy has strong environmental dimension and contains a number of tools that EU countries can use to fulfil their obligations under the EU environmental laws.
EU countries can
- agree on conservation measures linked to fisheries in the Natura 2000 sites (under Art. 11 of Regulation 1380/2013)
- establish fish stock recovery areas (under Art. 8 of the same regulation)
Under the regionalisation mechanism (as defined in Art. 18 of Regulation 1380/2013), affected countries may, after consultation of the relevant Advisory Councils, submit joint recommendations as regards the fisheries conservation measures deemed necessary to achieve those environmental objectives. The Commission can then adopt rules on the basis of those recommendations, effectively turning them into binding EU law.
After consulting with EU countries and stakeholders, the Commission adopted a staff working document on the establishment of conservation measures under the common fisheries policy for Natura 2000 sites and for Marine Strategy Framework Directivepurposes. This guidance document establishes fishery management measures under Article 11 of the CFP regulation.
Received joint recommendations
| Date | EU countries having direct management interest | Sea basin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13/03/2015 | DK (initiating Member State), DE, SE. | North Sea | |
| 13/03/2015 | DK (initiating Member State), DE, SE. | Baltic Sea | |
| 10/06/2016 | SE (initiating Member State), DK, DE. | North Sea | |
| 16/11/2016 | DK (initiating Member State), DE, SE. | North Sea | |
| 30/11/2016 | DK (initiating Member State), DE, PL, SE. | Baltic Sea | |
| 28/02/2017 | BE (initiating Member State), DK, DE, FR, NL, UK. | North Sea | |
| 04/02/2019 | DE (initiating Member State), BE, DK, FR, NL, SE, UK. | North Sea | Update in 2021 |
| 09/07/2019 (4 joint recommendations) | NL (initiating Member State), BE, DK DE, FR, SE, UK. | North Sea | Update in 2021 |
| 02/02/2021 | DK (initiating Member State), DE, SE. | North Sea | |
| 02/02/2021 | SE (initiating Member State), DE, DK. | North Sea |
Documents
Commission delegated regulation establishing fisheries conservation measures in the Baltic Sea
Commission delegated regulation establishing fisheries conservation measures in the North Sea
Media
Euronews Ocean: Saving Mediterranean turtles and dolphins, one life at a time
This episode of “Ocean" delves into the challenges faced by threatened marine species in the Mediterranean, showcasing the dedicated efforts to safeguard these creatures.
Euronews Ocean: Underwater sound
The ocean is not a world of silence; underwater spaces are filled with a variety of sounds, both natural and artificial. Some of these underwater noises, such as those associated with shipping or the industrial development of the seabed, pose a growing threat to animals that heavily rely on acoustics.
OCEAN CALLS Podcast – How should the sea sound?
In this episode, we hear what a happy coral reef sounds like, how Russia's war in Ukraine is hurting dolphin ears, and why slowing down ships could change everything for underwater acoustics.
Listen to it in full on Euronews website
OCEAN CALLS Podcast: Are Marine Protected Areas Working?
In theory, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) allow us to protect the ocean from human activity, conserve nature, and support the local economy - a real win-win for everyone. But many of them are criticised for being so-called 'paper parks' - meaning although they exist on government maps, in practice, there is little policing and destructive activities like trawling - which involves the use of huge net to collect everything in the water - are still allowed.
Listen to it in full on Euronews website
OCEAN CALLS Podcast: Should we eat wild or farmed Salmon?
Salmon is a wonderfish – not only is it delicious, but it is also packed with nutrients. But the Atlantic salmon that we can find here in Europe is also an endangered species. So for us, as consumers, what is a more sustainable choice: wild or farmed salmon?
Listen to it in full on Euronews website
Euronews Ocean: Traditional fishing and aquaculture: competitive business in harmony with nature
Professional fishers and fish farmers in parts of Spain and the Czech Republic are going about their business in a way that is both eco-friendly and able to earn them a living.
Euronews Ocean: Coral reefs: the fight to save the ocean's food factories
The world's coral reefs are dying due to warming oceans and pollution. Ocean explores what's been done to preserve and bring coral back to life.
Euronews Ocean: Protecting Antarctica - The geopolitical challenge with high global stakes
The Antarctic Ocean plays a central role in our climate and in marine ecosystems, but climate change is threatening this. We find out how it's possible to protect one of the planet's key areas.
Euronews Ocean: Are Europe's anglers threatening vulnerable species?
Europe's fishermen bring billions of euros to coastal economies but critics say unrestricted fishing threatens vulnerable species.
Euronews Ocean: What’s killing our underwater ecosystems?
Ocean biodiversity is in dangerous decline. According to UNESCO, without significant change more than half of the world’s marine species may stand on the brink of extinction by the end of this century.
In Crete, marine biologists are seeing dramatic changes that are likely to spread across the Mediterranean.
Euronews Ocean: Tide turns for an Italian coastal wasteland
In less than 20 years, an Italian coastal area has transformed itself from a lawless wasteland into an international success story.
Torre Guaceto, an eight-kilometre long stretch of coastline north-west of Brindisi, used to be known as a centre for poor fishing practices, black market smuggling and a drop-off point for illegal immigration. Now it's famous around the world for the way it's transformed itself.