Political and legal change are crucial to improved ocean protection. Blue Policy works to persuade decision-makers to deliver laws and treaties that will make a difference.
It is often in capital cities far from the sea that the decisions are made which determine whether our oceans will be restored and protected — or remain degraded and overexploited. It is therefore just as vital that we advocate for healthy oceans in the corridors of power as at the water’s edge. To deliver lasting and meaningful changes in policy and law is the mission of Blue Policy.
If we are to avert the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss that are ravaging our oceans, we need laws and government policies that deliver on political commitments. By engaging with politicians, civil servants, and other NGOs, Blue Policy works to end overfishing, introduce genuine protection in marine protected areas (MPAs), and lead Blue Marine’s efforts to improve global ocean management.
In 2024, we worked alongside other NGOs to drive forward the ratification of the High Seas treaty, and at regional forums to reduce overfishing on the high seas and protect endangered species. In the UK we saw 17,000 sq km of reefs protected from trawling, and the implementation of a ban on industrial sand-eel fishing in UK waters. The ban is being challenged by the EU – highlighting the need for continued vigilance in policy and politics.
Blue Policy has hosted events at party conferences, and in the Houses of Parliament, where we were able to deliver Blue Marine’s message directly at the seat of government. We were instrumental in persuading the UK to reverse its position on deep-sea mining – a victory that transformed the country from one of the leading proponents of the practice to supporters of a moratorium.
We continue to work with Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) – the bodies responsible for managing fishing on the high seas. We focus on the northeast Atlantic, and have achieved renewed bans on fishing for basking sharks, porbeagle sharks, deep-sea rays, and chimaeras.
Blue Policy lobbying has also covered new fisheries management plans, the reform of discard rules and the introduction of cameras on boats. We continue to lobby hard for reductions in fishing quotas to end overfishing.
Our latest campaign calls for a ban of bottom trawling in UK marine protected areas. To learn more about it, click here.
