Our Contribution to the Public Consultation on the Ocean Act Towards healthy oceans, sustainable blue food systems and resilient coastal communities
EBCD is pleased to share its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Ocean Act.
As Europe shapes the future of its ocean governance, EBCD highlights the need for a coherent, science-based and balanced policy framework that delivers both healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable blue food systems.
In its contribution, EBCD calls upon the European Commission to ensure that:
- both legislative proposals are developed on the basis of sound science, proportionality and better regulation;
- policy coherence is strengthened across EU marine legislation while preserving the distinct objectives of each legal framework;
- any binding targets are based on robust scientific evidence, comprehensive socioeconomic assessment and broad stakeholder support;
- OECMs are explicitly recognised as contributing to European conservation objectives;
- climate change is fully integrated into the revised MSFD;
- environmental measures reflect the cumulative impacts of all sectors and are applied proportionately;
- fisheries and aquaculture are recognised as strategic contributors to food security,
- coastal livelihoods and the sustainable blue economy; and
- stakeholders are actively involved throughout the development and implementation of both initiatives.
Through these recommendations, EBCD calls for a pragmatic and inclusive approach to EU ocean governance—one that combines environmental ambition with workable implementation and strong stakeholder ownership.
