Brussels: The European Commission has announced the adoption of a European Ocean Pact, a sweeping initiative designed to protect ocean health, boost the sustainable blue economy, and support coastal communities across the European Union. This strategy aims to unify EU ocean policies, addressing the critical threats impacting oceans, coastal communities, islands, and outermost regions.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the European Ocean Pact is centered on six main priorities. The first priority focuses on protecting and restoring ocean health, with the Commission aiding Member States in rejuvenating coastal and marine habitats. This includes promoting the establishment and management of marine protected areas and revising existing maritime directives.
Boosting the competitiveness of the EU’s sustainable blue economy is another major focus. The ocean supports key sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, and energy. To strengthen these areas, the Commission plans to introduce a new Industrial Maritime Strategy, an EU Ports Strategy, and possibly revise the Common Fisheries Policy. A Blue Generational Renewal Strategy will also be launched to attract young professionals to marine research, ocean technology, and sustainable fisheries.
The pact also emphasizes supporting coastal, island communities, and outermost regions. It outlines the importance of these communities in driving a sustainable blue economy, providing healthy food, and clean energy. A dedicated strategy for the development and resilience of EU coastal communities will be presented, alongside consultations for new strategies for islands and outermost regions. There is also a proposal for creating European blue carbon reserves.
Advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills, and innovation forms another cornerstone of the pact. An ambitious EU Ocean Observation Initiative is proposed to enhance ocean knowledge, supported by an Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy. This will contribute to the European Digital Twin of the Ocean and maintain the EU’s leadership in ocean science and technology. An EU Ocean Youth Ambassador Network will be established to engage young advocates in ocean sustainability.
Enhancing maritime security and defense is also prioritized, with plans to strengthen EU coast guard and naval cooperation. A coordinated strategy will tackle unexploded ordnance in European waters, starting with the Baltic and North Seas. Investments in a European drone fleet will improve maritime surveillance capabilities using advanced technologies.
Finally, the pact focuses on strengthening EU ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance. The Commission will intensify efforts against illegal fishing by mandating IT CATCH, digitizing the IUU catch certification scheme from January 2026. It will also push for global agreements on biodiversity, plastic waste, and marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
Implementation of the Ocean Pact’s objectives is set to be streamlined through an Ocean Act by 2027, establishing a single framework to cut red tape and enhance coordination. A high-level Ocean Board and an EU Ocean Pact dashboard will be introduced to monitor progress and guide implementation.
The European Ocean Pact will be officially presented at the United Nations Ocean Conference on June 9, led by President von der Leyen. The initiative is rooted in the political guidelines of the von der Leyen II Commission and was advocated for in the European Council’s conclusions in March 2025.