EU Commission launches public consultation on Ocean Act, inviting stakeholders to shape ocean governance for 2026 adoption EU. Photo: European Union
The European Commission has launched a public consultation to help shape the European Ocean Act, a key legislative proposal under the European Ocean Pact that is scheduled for adoption in 2026.
The Ocean Act is intended to strengthen ocean governance across the European Union and serve as a single reference point for economic, climate, environmental and social objectives linked to the protection and sustainable use of ocean resources.
Public Consultation Launched
The public consultation will run until 16 July 2026 and is open to stakeholders, public authorities and administrations, experts, citizens and coastal communities.
Participants are invited to share their views through a structured questionnaire, with the aim of ensuring that the future Ocean Act reflects real‑world needs and practical experience.
The consultation follows an earlier call for evidence launched by the Commission in January.
Objectives of the European Ocean Act
According to the Commission, the European Ocean Act will support the six priorities of the European Ocean Pact. These include ocean health, the competitiveness of the EU sustainable blue economy, support for coastal communities, knowledge and research, maritime security and defence, and international ocean governance.
The legislation is also intended to streamline EU ocean governance by reducing bureaucracy and reporting requirements, while making existing EU rules more efficient.
A further objective is to bring EU ocean‑related targets under a single framework to allow for clearer identification and implementation.
Maritime Spatial Planning and Ocean Observation
The Commission plans to modernise maritime spatial planning through the Ocean Act by reinforcing a sea‑basin approach and improving coordination across sectors at national level.
The legislation will also create a legal basis for the governance of OceanEye, the European ocean observation initiative.
In addition, the Ocean Act is expected to align with the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to improve policy coherence and better integrate environmental objectives into maritime spatial planning.
Next Steps Towards Adoption
The Commission plans to adopt the legislative proposal for the European Ocean Act by the end of 2026, in line with the Commission Work Programme 2026.
