Ahead of the plenary debate this Wednesday, 2 April, we’re asking you to take a stand and support a strong and binding European Oceans Pact that preserves marine life, supports coastal communities, and protects Europe’s most vital natural resource.
European seas provide invaluable benefits for regional and global climate stability, biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. Yet over 60% of so-called marine protected areas are being bottom-trawled, costing the EU an estimated €11 billion annually.
We urge you to participate in the debate and back the following core commitments, which are critical to the success and ambition of the Oceans Pact:
Set legally binding targets to protect 30% of EU seas, including 10% under strict protection.
Ban bottom trawling and destructive fishing in all EU marine protected areas.
Enforce science-based management of marine protected areas across all EU waters.
Protect carbon-rich seabeds, particularly from seabed-interacting fishing gear.
Reserve coastal zones for low-impact fishers and other sustainable activities, to support a fair and just transition towards sustainable activities.
When properly managed, marine protected areas significantly boost the productivity of fisheries, recreation, and tourism — and strengthen the prosperity of coastal communities across EU regions.
Research has forecasted that a ban on bottom trawling in offshore MPAs would produce a return of €3.41 for every €1 spent — with a cumulative profit of more than €8 billion over a 20-year period. But our priorities are backwards. Small-scale fishers make up 76% of Europe’s fleet, but only receive 7% of the subsidies.
More than 250,000 EU citizens have called on you to act (1, 2).
We’re counting on your leadership to truly protect our ocean — and the communities who depend on it.