Protecting seas in the European Union

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The challenge
Our strategy
Our impact
Work in the field
Media
Related projects

The challenge

EU member states have committed to end overfishing by 2020 at the latest; to fight Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing; to implement the WTO agreement on the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies; and to restore marine ecosystems. These commitments exist on paper, but are far from being fully implemented. 

Our strategy

Draw on Blue Marine projects which show that restrictions to damaging fishing practices can be adopted in collaboration with, and to the benefit of, small-scale, low-impact fishers. 
Work with partners to show the benefits of sustainable fisheries and well-managed MPAs.

Secure the adoption of more effective fisheries management from the EU, including through the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies from the EU budget.

Challenge the EU and its member states to adopt effective regulation of harmful activities, including in MPAs.

Our impact goals

Collect, analyse and present restoration statistics from at least three well-managed MPAs to demonstrate their benefits

Enable the designation of new MPAs and management measures in at least five EU member states

Legally challenge at least three member states for allowing bottom-trawling in existing MPAs

Take action to end overfishing in European waters

Work in the field

We are using the unique nature of our collaborative projects in Italy, Greece, France, Germany, the Netherlands and UK waters to support the development of wider marine conservation measures. We intend to target individual MPAs to increase their protection, and work to secure better fisheries management over issues such as quotas and quota allocations, harmful subsidies and IUU fishing.  