EU adopts strategy to protect oceans and boost water economy

The pact aims to bring together EU ocean policies in a single, coherent framework, responding to the growing challenges facing oceans, islands and outermost regions.

The document first aims to protect and restore the health of the ocean: the Commission will support member states in the rehabilitation of marine habitats and the designation and management of marine protected areas.

The second main objective is to increase the competitiveness of the sustainable aquatic economy – fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, marine energy and tourism.

The panel will develop a new Industrial Maritime Strategy and an EU Ports Strategy, and set out a long-term vision for the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors by 2026. It will also launch a “Generation Blue Renewal” strategy to engage young professionals in ocean research and sustainable maritime management.

The third priority of the strategy is to support EU coastal, island and outermost regions, for which the panel proposes new plans to develop them and increase their resilience, and a new proposal to create European “blue carbon reserves” to capture carbon dioxide.

Another important element of the pact, the fourth pillar, is to develop ocean research, knowledge, skills and innovation. The EU will launch a new ocean monitoring initiative, supported by a research and innovation strategy.