European Ocean Pact pledges marine restoration, stronger fisheries, coastal jobs and blue economy boost across EU waters
European Commission Launches Pact to Deliver Healthy Oceans and Thriving Coastal Economies
The European Commission has adopted a sweeping new strategy — the European Ocean Pact — aimed at restoring ocean health, strengthening the blue economy, and securing the long-term sustainability of Europe’s coastal communities. Announced on 5 June 2025, the Pact unifies all EU ocean policies under one framework and is set to be a centrepiece at the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice.
Speaking in Brussels, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said:
“Ocean is water, water is life. That is why the European Ocean Pact is so important to us. This comprehensive strategy will protect the ocean and promote a sustainable blue economy. It will not only benefit the planet, but also the people who call the coast their home, and the generations who will steward our oceans tomorrow.”
Six Strategic Priorities Defined
The Pact focuses on six key areas:
1/. Ocean Health Restoration – Member States will be urged to rehabilitate degraded marine habitats and expand marine protected areas. A revised Marine Strategy Framework Directive is under development alongside updated maritime spatial planning rules.
2/. Boosting the Sustainable Blue Economy – A new Industrial Maritime Strategy and EU Ports Strategy are planned, alongside a forthcoming evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy. A long-term vision for EU fisheries and aquaculture is scheduled for 2026. The Commission also announced a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy to attract young professionals to marine careers.
3/. Backing Coastal, Island and Outermost Regions – The Commission will present dedicated strategies to support the development and resilience of Europe’s coastal and island communities, including a proposal to create European blue carbon reserves.
4/. Ocean Knowledge, Research and Innovation – The EU Ocean Observation Initiative and a new Research and Innovation Strategy will underpin the development of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean. A Youth Ambassador Network will engage younger generations in ocean protection.
5/. Maritime Security and Surveillance – The Commission plans to expand EU coast guard cooperation and will invest in a European drone fleet to improve real-time maritime monitoring. The strategy also includes clearing unexploded ordnance, starting in the Baltic and North Seas.
6/. Global Ocean Governance – The EU will intensify its campaign against illegal fishing, implementing a digitalised IUU catch certification system from 2026. Ocean diplomacy efforts will also focus on ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, supporting a global plastics agreement, and backing marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
Monitoring and Enforcement
The Pact will be enforced through a proposed “Ocean Act” by 2027. This will streamline implementation and reduce regulatory complexity. A high-level Ocean Board will oversee delivery, while an online dashboard will track performance and allow public scrutiny.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, stated:
“The European Ocean Pact is not a message in a bottle — it’s a concrete plan for action. We will work tirelessly to implement its priorities and ensure that the new governance approach to our ocean policies guide our work in the years to come.”
Pact Aligns with Climate and Biodiversity Goals
Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, highlighted the importance of oceans to the continent’s future:
“The ocean is the foundation of life and our ally for a better future. With 40% of Europeans living within 50 km of the sea, our coastal communities are the backbone of our society and economy.”
The Ocean Pact also aligns with broader EU commitments under the Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and global targets to protect 30 percent of marine areas by 2030. It is backed by revised funding instruments and a framework to incentivise Member States’ action at sea basin level.
President von der Leyen will formally present the Pact at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice on 9 June.
Reactions to the European Oceans Pact
French MEP, Isabelle Le Callennec (EPP), who is a member of the Fisheries Committee, and responsible for the Group’s position paper on the topic of oceans welcomed the news on the Pact saying:
“The European Commission’s Ocean Pact is a step in the right direction. It promotes a balance between the necessary protection of the environment and the requirements of maintaining a healthy maritime economy. This includes fishing, which is essential to ensure our food sovereignty, as well as issues related to maritime transport, energy exploitation, overseas economies, and the fight against illegal fishing.
“I take note of the proposals made regarding funding, particularly through the European Investment Bank (EIB), to invest in our maritime economy – notably to renew the fishing fleet and develop our ports.
“However, the good intentions of the Commission’s pact will be meaningless if they are not implemented at a global level. Europe alone will not be able to act effectively. We therefore call for the establishment of a true ocean diplomacy to manage competing uses (maritime traffic, energy production, security/defence, fishing, and aquaculture). In this regard, next week’s UNOC3 in Nice will be crucial.”
Source: Press Release