“Europe’s seas and oceans are not in good shape” (J. Potočnik)

Date: 03.03.2014

A new report published on 20-th of February paints a worrying picture of Europe’s seas. The Commission’s analysis, which will be presented at the “Healthy Oceans – Productive Ecosystems” (HOPE) conference in Brussels on 3-4 March, shows a marine environment that will require urgent efforts to reach good status by 2020.

 “The message is clear: Europe’s seas and oceans are not in good shape. But we depend on these seas, and we need to find a balance. That means finding ways to reap their economic potential without increasing the pressure on an already fragile environment, creating growth and jobs that are secure in the long term.” (Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik)

Different NGO’s have been highlighting the problems for decades but still there is so much do be done to actually succeed in the protection of marine environment – including the Mediterranen Sea.  May 2006 – Mediterranean Sea, Spain. Greenpeace divers with underwater banner reading ‘Where have all the tuna gone’ in Balearic Islands, Spain – a breeding ground for the bluefin tuna.

The report, together with the European Environment Agency’s “Marine messages” published the same day offers the first comprehensive overview of the state of EU seas. Member States have reported on the state of their marine waters, on what they consider to be “good environmental status”, and on the targets they have put in place to reach good status. The findings in the report are accompanied by recommendations for the four marine regions and for individual Member States. The report shows that:

• Thanks to extensive reports from Member States, we now know a lot more about our seas and oceans, what the problems are, and what we can do to improve the situation.
• Most indicators are in the red, with 88 % of fish stocks threatened in the Mediterranean and Black Sea for instance. But the sustainability of catches is improving, albeit slowly.
• Greater efforts are needed to reach the 2020 EU goal for healthy and productive European seas.
• Efforts to improve the situation are hampered by a lack of coordination between Member States: good status could be achieved more easily – and more cheaply – if Member States reinforced their cooperation.

Next Steps

These findings, and the way forward, will be discussed on March 3-4 at the HOPE (“Healthy Oceans- Productive Ecosytems”) conference, which will bring together government, NGOs, academia and other stakeholders working with or in relation to the European marine environment, in Brussels. The conference is being webstreamed.

For more information:

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-169_en.htm pressrelease and more details (European comission)

http://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/marine-messages-briefing  Europe’s seas: A valuable asset that must be used sustainably (European environmental agency)

Tagid: European Comission