Oceans Archives | Euractiv

Europe scales up blue education to boost ocean literacy

Brian Maguire — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:32:43 +0000

Europe’s blue education is making waves, turning classrooms into gateways to ocean literacy

Cities power Europe’s Ocean Pact, driving local marine solutions

Brian Maguire — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 01:36:49 +0000

Europe’s new €1 billion Ocean Pact proves ocean health starts inland, with cities powering the change

Harvest: the big ‘B’ and its victims

Angelo Di Mambro — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 07:05:31 +0000

So far, the Commission's agri-food strategies have had to contend with the lack of clarity surrounding the multiannual financial framework. Will the vision for agriculture and the CAP reform follow suit?

Harvest: From water to land and back again

Angelo Di Mambro — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:35:13 +0000

Yesterday it was the water strategy and the soil monitoring law; today it is the Oceans Pact. These issues are dominating the agenda of the EU institutions.

Harvest: MEPs set to speed up the CAP simplification and slow down the reform

Angelo Di Mambro — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:44:40 +0000

Political groups are calling for the swift approval of measures aimed at reducing administrative burdens for farms and national authorities, as well as for more time to make decisions on the new agricultural policy.

Report highlights lack of EU action on marine protection ahead of global talks

Bárbara Machado — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:05:37 +0000

Weak implementation and enforcement are holding back the EU’s goal of protecting 30% of its seas by 2030.

Harvest: The ‘Brussels effect’ is still strong in agri-food trade

Angelo Di Mambro — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:16:34 +0000

The influence of the EU regulations beyond the bloc's borders is alive and kicking.

Harvest: simplification’s winding road

Angelo Di Mambro — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:49:12 +0000

Work on the Commission's CAP simplification package in the Council will be divided between two working parties.

EU-Thailand trade talks resume as Spain worries about tuna sector

Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:46:22 +0000

Alfonso Rueda, president of the government of Galicia, said he would fight to prevent the liberalisation of tuna imports as part of the free trade agreement.

Kadis vows to fight illegal catches of Malta’s favourite fish

Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:50:58 +0000

MEP Bajada attributed dwindling catches of lampuki, a Maltese staple food, to increased competition from Tunisia, Spain and Italy, as well as climate change.

Norway’s parliament gives green light for controversial deep-sea mining

Hugo Struna — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:48:56 +0000

Norwegian lawmakers gave the go-ahead for deep-sea mining exploration around the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard on Tuesday (9 January), a world first that has raised concerns among environmental groups.

Brazil sinks rusting old aircraft carrier in the Atlantic

Georgi Gotev — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 07:32:41 +0000

Brazil sank a decommissioned aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean off its northeast coast, the Brazilian Navy said, despite warnings from environmentalists that the rusting 1960s French-built ship would pollute the sea and the marine food chain.

LEAK: EU biodiversity plan aims to ban bottom trawling in protected areas

Valentina Romano — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 07:04:45 +0000

EU countries will be required to reduce the harmful impacts of fishing on sensitive species and their habitats, under a draft EU biodiversity plan seen by EURACTIV.

Macron opposes deep-sea mining amid growing interest

Hugo Struna — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 14:52:00 +0000

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his opposition to deep-sea mining permits but confirmed his support for exploration at the recent COP27 summit in Egypt, settling the matter of France's stance once and for all.

As UN Ocean Conference ends, environmental groups press world leaders

Georgi Gotev — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 06:00:22 +0000

Environmental groups on Friday (1 July) urged world leaders to keep promises they made at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon this week, to do everything in their power to save the world's seas.

Macron says deep-sea mining must not go ahead

Georgi Gotev — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 06:09:09 +0000

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday (30 June) a legal framework was needed to stop deep-sea mining from going ahead and urged countries to put their money on science to better understand and protect the world's oceans.

Portuguese minister: We have one ocean, we need to look after it globally

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 12:37:08 +0000

International cooperation to tackle global challenges facing marine resources is strongly needed as problems such as ocean warming cannot be solved by a bunch of countries only, Portugal's minister of the Sea Ricardo Serrão Santos said in an exclusive interview.

Auditors raise ‘red flag’ over EU efforts to protect seas

Kira Taylor — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 15:10:46 +0000

Efforts to protect the European Union seas are failing to slow biodiversity loss or prevent overfishing, with the Mediterranean under particular threat, a report by auditors said on Thursday (26 November).

Vella: EU leadership on oceans governance is a priority for my successor

Gerardo Fortuna — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 07:11:11 +0000

The EU's outgoing Fisheries Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, warned that climate change and biodiversity loss were putting the earth's ecosystems dangerously close to a tipping point, and pleaded for his successor to carry on the International Ocean Governance (IOG) put in place during his five-year mandate.

Thinning of the Arctic ‘unprecedented for at least 1,000 years’ – IPCC report

Aline Robert — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 12:56:19 +0000

The Arctic has lost around 12.8% of its surface area every decade between 1979 and 2018, which is "likely unprecedented for at least 1,000 years" and could shrink even more if no action is taken, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.

IPCC drastically increases its forecasts for world’s rise in sea levels

Florence Schulz — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 16:14:29 +0000

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented its special report on the oceans and ice caps today (24 September). Although climate scientists have, once again, drastically increased their sea-level rise forecasts to one metre by 2100, there is still time for action. EURACTIV Germany reports.

First ‘millennial’ Commissioner to address challenges for Generation Z

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 09:48:43 +0000

Putting the youngest ever Commissioner-designate in charge of managing the most fearful threats for future generations of Europeans, such as environment protection and oceans' conservation, is the biggest gamble Ursula von der Leyen took in composing her team.

Why the ocean should be on the G7 agenda

Marion Candau — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 14:52:25 +0000

Surfrider Europe, a French organisation fighting for clean oceans, is organising an event ahead of the G7 summit in France. The aim is to call for incorporating ocean protection into international negotiations, particularly those concerning climate change. EURACTIV's partner la Tribune reports.

The Sustainable Blue Economy: EU’s actions must match its words

Frédéric Simon — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 06:54:03 +0000

As global leaders met at the world’s first Sustainable Blue Economy conference this week, the EU must face the sobering reality of the state of our ocean and stand by its commitments to sustainably protect and effectively manage Europe’s seas before it’s too late, writes Dr Samantha Burgess.

EU opportunity to make fish discarding history

Freya Kirk — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 04:10:15 +0000

On World Ocean Day (8 June), it is important to bring back to the forefront the debate of overfishing which is undermining the health of our oceans. Five years after the reform on the EU Common Fisheries Policy nothing much has changed, and discarding at sea is still common practice, writes Rebecca Hubbard.

Plastics: The invisible oil spill

Frédéric Simon — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 08:40:40 +0000

Plastic is everywhere, polluting our waters, choking marine wildlife, and even in our food and water. It is a problem of global proportions but an ambitious EU Plastics Strategy can create vital momentum, writes Pierre-Yves Cousteau.

EU rules out tax on plastic products to reduce waste

Frédéric Simon — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 04:05:37 +0000

EU opts for public awareness campaign on the impacts of plastics on the environment saying a tax would not be sustainable, reports EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian.

EU takes the helm in a year of ocean mobilisation

Samuel White — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 03:24:43 +0000

2017 will be remembered as the turning point in how the international community works together to protect the ocean, write Karmenu Vella and Isabella Lövin.

Let life in the oceans be a priority for ‘blue growth’

Samuel White — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 06:38:07 +0000

Today, as we celebrate World Water Day, I would like to highlight the issue of so-called ‘blue growth’. Our oceans can offer enormous opportunities to millions of people, but only if their ecosystems are preserved, writes Linnéa Engström.

Closing the net: The EU must step up enforcement of seafood import controls

Samuel White — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 11:07:53 +0000

The EU has some of the world’s toughest legislation aimed at barring imports of illegally-caught fish. But inadequate enforcement and an outdated import document scheme risk undermining its impact, writes Victoria Mundy.

Belgium and France join war on plastics

Janie Matthews — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 08:19:08 +0000

Ten countries have pledged their allegiance to the United Nation’s war on ocean plastics.

Only strong international cooperation can protect the ocean and climate

Samuel Morgan — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 09:59:00 +0000

As the COP22 Climate Conference gets into full flow in Marrakesh, Commissioner Karmenu Vella warns that global rules for the oceans have to be dragged into the 21st century.

Deal struck for world’s biggest marine reserve in Antarctica

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 05:24:33 +0000

The world's largest marine reserve aimed at protecting the pristine wilderness of Antarctica will be created after a "momentous" agreement was finally reached Friday, with Russia dropping its long-held opposition.

Microplastics should be banned in cosmetics to save oceans, British MPs say

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 03:30:06 +0000

Cosmetics companies must be banned from using plastic microbeads in scrubs, toothpaste and beauty products because of the marine pollution they are causing, say a group of MPs.

Clearing up the confusion around marine plastics

Frédéric Simon — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 11:07:45 +0000

Contrary to popular myths, most plastic pollution at sea occurs on the seabed and on beaches, not on the surface. If we want to secure the health of our oceans, we need to start looking at preventing marine plastic litter at source, writes Chris Sherrington.

Let’s design out waste for a real Circular Economy

Samuel White — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:54:28 +0000

The European Commission must wholeheartedly commit to building a Circular Economy if it is to deliver the benefits for the environment, businesses and the economy that EU citizens expect, writes Simon Wilson.

Pacific islands demand easier access to climate finance

Samuel White — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 06:16:30 +0000

SPECIAL REPORT / "The waves will not wait for the funding to be allocated before flooding our islands," the small islands of the Pacific have warned. But climate finance is often beyond their reach. EURACTIV France reports.

Oceans’ role highlighted as global warming ‘regulator’

James Crisp — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 08:14:17 +0000

The Ocean and Climate Platform, a civil society group, has launched an appeal to recognise the vital role played by oceans in regulating global warming ahead of the COP 21 UN climate talks in Paris later this year. EURACTIV France reports.

EU to halve plastic bag use by 2019

Samuel White — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 08:56:35 +0000

The European Parliament passed a law on 28 April to drastically cut down on single-use plastic bags. EURACTIV France reports.

Campaign highlights biodiversity cost of plastic bags

admin — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 08:19:57 +0000

Yesterday (3 July) marked International Bag Free Day, but most of the world continues to use light-weight plastic bags, deemed the most harmful to the environment.

Top EU maritime official warns against ocean ‘gold rush’

admin — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 07:59:35 +0000

The European commissioner for maritime affairs, Maria Damanaki, has called at the World Ocean Summit for businesses to see the oceans as an economic resource but has warned against a “frenzied gold rush”.

EU action plan for ocean energy set to make waves

Nikita Chudjakov — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 08:51:18 +0000

EXCLUSIVE / The European Commission will today (20 January) announce an ocean energy action plan to set an energy forum and strategic roadmap in place by 2016, and ready a European Industrial Initiative for implementation by 2020.

Russian ‘fishing interests’ threaten bid for Antarctic conservation area

admin — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:17:42 +0000

EXCLUSIVE / A vote today (16 July) on whether to declare a marine protection area over an Antarctic body of water seven times the size of Germany is hanging in the balance due to Russian and Ukrainian fishing interests, the head of a European delegation to the talks has told EURACTIV.

Baltic bacteria outbreak blamed on sea warming

admin — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 07:59:44 +0000

Manmade climate change is the main driver behind the unexpected emergence of a group of bacteria in Northern Europe which can cause gastroenteritis, new research by a group of international experts shows.

German researchers say Pacific will dilute Fukushima radiation

admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:34:37 +0000

Radioactivity in the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima nuclear disaster has peaked and will dilute rapidly, according to a study by Germany’s Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research.

EU countries urged to halve marine waste by 2020

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:54:56 +0000

Environmentalists are calling on European countries to achieve a minimum 50% reduction in marine waste as part of commitments they must make under EU law.

Study shows oceans becoming much more acidic

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:34:39 +0000

The world's oceans are turning acidic at what could be the fastest pace of any time in the past 300 million years, even more rapidly than during a monster emission of planet-warming carbon 56 million years ago, European and US scientists say in a new study.

Ocean energy wants place in EU’s energy future

Nikita Chudjakov — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:26:33 +0000

Wave and tidal energy could provide 15% of Europe's energy needs by 2050, the industry estimates, calling for support measures to realise its potential.