EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis launches first Fisheries and Ocean Dialogue to shape the European Ocean Pact
High-Level Talks on EU Ocean Governance Begin
On Friday, 21 February, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis officially launched the first Fisheries and Ocean Dialogue, a key step in shaping the European Ocean Pact. The high-level roundtable convened leading policymakers, industry figures, and experts to discuss the future of EU ocean governance.
Key participants included EU Council Presidency Ministers, France’s representatives (ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in June), Carmen Crespo Díaz (Chair of the European Parliament’s PECH Committee), Thomas Bajada (Vice-Chair of the SEARICA intergroup), former EU Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Karmenu Vella, as well as representatives from Advisory Councils, NGOs, Think Tanks, industry, and the research sector.
Key Issues: Biodiversity, Sustainability, and the Blue Economy
Discussions focused on pressing challenges in EU ocean governance, including:
- Biodiversity protection and ecosystem-based management
- Sustainable growth and job creation in the blue economy
- Resilience and sustainability of EU coastal communities
These insights will help shape the European Ocean Pact, designed to harmonise ocean policies across different sectors.
Next Steps: European Ocean Days in Brussels
The Fisheries and Ocean Dialogues will continue on 5 March at the European Ocean Days in Brussels, further advancing the EU’s ocean governance agenda.
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