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Brussels, |
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Marine & coastal environment
Europe's seas are pivotal to the continent's ecosystem, supporting diverse wildlife, stabilizing the climate, and providing numerous economic opportunities through coastal and maritime activities. However, the balance of these delicate marine ecosystems is under threat from various human activities, leading to pollution, biodiversity loss, and other adverse effects.
The EU's Approach to Marine Conservation
The European Union has established a comprehensive framework to safeguard its coasts, seas, and oceans while ensuring their sustainable use. Central to this effort is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), which seeks to achieve good environmental status (GES) of the EU's marine waters by 2020 and sustainably protect the resources that underpin marine-related economic and social activities. The Directive introduces the ecosystem-based approach as a legally binding principle for managing all marine environments within the EU.
State of Europe's Seas
Despite efforts, the health of Europe's seas is concerning:
Policy and Legislation
Adopted in 2008, the MSFD is instrumental in maintaining resilient marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable use of marine resources. It requires EU Member States to develop national marine strategies to either achieve or maintain 'good environmental status', incorporating regular assessments, monitoring programmes, and measures to improve marine conditions. This includes establishing marine protected areas and coordinating actions with neighboring countries.
Objectives and Descriptors of Good Environmental Status
The MSFD outlines eleven qualitative descriptors for GES, ranging from maintaining biodiversity to ensuring safe levels of contaminants in seafood and minimizing marine litter and underwater noise. These descriptors guide Member States in practical measures to protect marine environments.
Review and Future Directions
The EU continually reviews the MSFD to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. The ongoing review process builds on the initial implementation assessments and aims to address identified gaps, with the objective of reinforcing the Directive's contribution to broader environmental goals, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Zero Pollution action plan.
Regional and International Cooperation
To enhance marine protection, the EU cooperates with Member States and neighboring countries through regional sea conventions, covering the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and North-East Atlantic. This collaboration aims to harmonize efforts to safeguard the marine environment across Europe's diverse maritime regions.
Data, Research, and Funding
The MSFD has spurred research initiatives and monitoring programmes, increasing our understanding of marine environments. Through portals like WISE – Marine, stakeholders can access data on the state of Europe's seas, the pressures they face, and the actions undertaken for their conservation. Funding for marine environmental protection is available through several EU programs, including the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and Horizon Europe.
The European Union's holistic approach to marine conservation underscores its commitment to safeguarding its seas for future generations. Through legislation, research, and regional cooperation, the EU aims to restore and maintain the health of its marine environments, ensuring their resilience in the face of ongoing and future challenges.
The EU's Approach to Marine Conservation
The European Union has established a comprehensive framework to safeguard its coasts, seas, and oceans while ensuring their sustainable use. Central to this effort is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), which seeks to achieve good environmental status (GES) of the EU's marine waters by 2020 and sustainably protect the resources that underpin marine-related economic and social activities. The Directive introduces the ecosystem-based approach as a legally binding principle for managing all marine environments within the EU.
State of Europe's Seas
Despite efforts, the health of Europe's seas is concerning:
- Eutrophication: 46% of coastal water areas suffer from intense eutrophication.
- Biodiversity Threats: Between 32% to 53% of sharks and rays are threatened due to bycatch.
- Seabed Disturbance: 79% of the coastal seabed is negatively affected by bottom trawling.
Policy and Legislation
Adopted in 2008, the MSFD is instrumental in maintaining resilient marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable use of marine resources. It requires EU Member States to develop national marine strategies to either achieve or maintain 'good environmental status', incorporating regular assessments, monitoring programmes, and measures to improve marine conditions. This includes establishing marine protected areas and coordinating actions with neighboring countries.
Objectives and Descriptors of Good Environmental Status
The MSFD outlines eleven qualitative descriptors for GES, ranging from maintaining biodiversity to ensuring safe levels of contaminants in seafood and minimizing marine litter and underwater noise. These descriptors guide Member States in practical measures to protect marine environments.
Review and Future Directions
The EU continually reviews the MSFD to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. The ongoing review process builds on the initial implementation assessments and aims to address identified gaps, with the objective of reinforcing the Directive's contribution to broader environmental goals, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Zero Pollution action plan.
Regional and International Cooperation
To enhance marine protection, the EU cooperates with Member States and neighboring countries through regional sea conventions, covering the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and North-East Atlantic. This collaboration aims to harmonize efforts to safeguard the marine environment across Europe's diverse maritime regions.
Data, Research, and Funding
The MSFD has spurred research initiatives and monitoring programmes, increasing our understanding of marine environments. Through portals like WISE – Marine, stakeholders can access data on the state of Europe's seas, the pressures they face, and the actions undertaken for their conservation. Funding for marine environmental protection is available through several EU programs, including the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and Horizon Europe.
The European Union's holistic approach to marine conservation underscores its commitment to safeguarding its seas for future generations. Through legislation, research, and regional cooperation, the EU aims to restore and maintain the health of its marine environments, ensuring their resilience in the face of ongoing and future challenges.
