The European Union unveiled its new European Ocean Pact, a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing the sea and coastal communities, aiming to create a unified framework for the entire bloc.
“The Ocean Pact will empower coastal communities, islands and outermost regions to unlock the full potential of our ocean and create a more prosperous future for all,” said Executive Vice-President for Cohesion Raffaele Fitto, underlying the importance the strategy has for the bloc as a whole. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added that “this comprehensive strategy will protect the ocean and promote a sustainable blue economy.”
Among the priorities of the new strategy, the Commission will strengthen security in the oceans by increasing border security at sea and begin to remove unexploded ordnance, starting with the Baltic and North Seas. The EU will also seek to make a drone fleet to help monitor maritime activities.
Another crucial target is environmental protection. The strategy will examine ways to combat illegal and unreported fishing by making registration practices, such as the IT CATCH scheme, mandatory from January 2026. The Commission will work with member states to create more maritime protected areas. To this end, it will revise the current framework directives, including the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. The Commission is also thinking about revising the Common Fisheries Policy.
Together with the environment, the new Ocean Pact seeks to help communities across the block. Fitto said that “with 40% of Europeans living within 50 km of the sea, our coastal communities are the backbone of our society and economy.” To support these communities, the Commission will develop new strategies for ports and the maritime industry. Additionally, it will create a strategy specifically for coastal communities to ensure that those living on the coast and islands can thrive and avoid being left behind.
