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<\/p>\nLast May 5, the European Commission adopted a European Ocean Pact, a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean policies under one single reference framework, addressing the significant threats facing our ocean, our coastal communities, islands and outermost regions.<\/p>\n
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One ocean, one strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n The European Ocean Pact focuses on six priorities:<\/p>\n The Commission will support Member States restoring degraded coastal and marine habitats. Key actions include encouraging Member States to establish and manage marine protected areas and revise the\u00a0Maritime Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The ocean is crucial for sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism and energy. The Commission plans to boost the EU’s maritime industry with a new\u00a0Industrial Maritime Strategy<\/strong>\u00a0and an\u00a0EU Ports Strategy<\/strong>. It will also evaluate and possibly revise the Common Fisheries Policy. To ensure thriving EU fisheries and aquaculture, the Commission will present a\u00a0long-term vision<\/strong>\u00a0for these sectors in 2026. The Commission will also foster access to young professionals in marine research, ocean tech, and sustainable fisheries by introducing a\u00a0Blue Generational Renewal Strategy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Coastal communities are the driving force behind a sustainable and competitive blue economy. They provide Europeans with healthy and sustainable food, and with clean and affordable marine renewable energy. Ensuring the future of these communities is therefore crucial. The Commission will present a\u00a0dedicated strategy for the development and resilience of EU coastal communities<\/strong>\u00a0and consult stakeholders on a new strategy for islands as well as an updated\u00a0outermost regions strategy. In addition, the Commission will make a proposal on the creation of European blue carbon reserves.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ocean Pact proposes an\u00a0ambitious<\/strong>\u00a0EU Ocean Observation Initiative to improve our knowledge of the ocean.<\/strong>\u00a0It will be underpinned by an Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy and feed the\u00a0European Digital Twin of the Ocean<\/strong>. It will maintain the EU as a global ocean leader in ocean science, technology and data. To raise awareness on the importance of the ocean, the Commission will establish an\u00a0EU Ocean Youth Ambassador Network<\/strong>\u00a0to engage young advocates in ocean sustainability across the EU and globally.<\/p>\n The Commission will\u00a0strengthen EU coast guard and naval cooperation and maritime border security<\/strong>. There will be a coordinated strategy to\u00a0remove unexploded ordnance<\/strong>\u00a0from European waters, starting in the Baltic and North Seas. Investment will be made in a pioneering European\u00a0drone fleet<\/strong>, leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of maritime activities, strengthening the EU’s maritime surveillance capabilities.<\/p>\n\n
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