The EU’s reputation for environmental stewardship has suffered a significant blow following the recent United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC). European leaders have neglected the pressing needs of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the ecosystems they contain.
Despite mounting scientific evidence and public outcry, the Nice Action Plan emerging from the conference reveals that only a few EU Member States have moved toward the protection of MPAs. Most have failed to take decisive action against harmful fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, that threaten these vital marine habitats.
This lack of ambition is particularly striking in light of the EU’s recent European Ocean Pact, introduced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at UNOC. The Pact is supposed to emphasize the importance of ocean health, aligning with existing commitments such as the Marine Action Plan that advocates for the phasing out of bottom trawling in MPAs.
While the United Kingdom has made strides by banning destructive bottom trawling in its MPAs, EU countries lag far behind. Although Portugal announced plans to expand its MPA network, details on management strategies remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Denmark aims to restrict bottom trawling in specific waters and designate more protected areas by 2028. Conflicting stances from countries like Spain, which defends bottom trawling while pledging to protect a unique deep-sea reef, add to the confusion.
Conversely, French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of a ban on bottom trawling in 4% of French waters—where no trawling occurs—merely appears to be an empty gesture. Tatiana Nuño, a Senior Marine Policy Officer, criticized the EU’s actions, stating, “The legacy of EU countries at this conference can be summed up as: ‘Do as I say, not as I do’.”
The ongoing biodiversity crisis and climate change require a coordinated European response. As EU leaders return from UNOC, it is critical that they prioritize the integrity of nature laws and come together to ensure a sustainable future for Europe’s precious oceans.