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Food, Farming, Fisheries
Oceans and fisheries

International ocean governance

International ocean governance is about managing the ocean and its resources together with international partners, so that it is healthy and productive and can benefit current and future generations.

Why is the ocean so important?

  • It regulates the climate, being home to a rich biodiversity that provides a range of important ecosystem services for us. For instance, the ocean produces half of the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere and absorbs 25% of CO2 emissions.
  • It is a source of food
  • It is a driving force for development. The OECD estimates that ocean-based industries such as shipping, fishing, offshore wind and marine biotechnology contribute roughly €1.3 trillion to global gross value added.

What are the main issues for the ocean?

  • Its health and productivity are threatened by
    – overexploitation 
    – illegal activities
    – climate change and marine pollution
  • With the world’s population expected to reach 9-10 billion by 2050, global competition for raw materials, food, water and space will be even fiercer – increasing the pressure on the ocean.
  • With around two-thirds of the ocean beyond any national jurisdiction, responsibility for sustaining it requires genuine cooperation between the world’s states.

What is the EU role in this?

The European Commission is

Review on EU implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development

In 2023, the Commission presented the first review on EU implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the halfway point, much has been achieved, but a lot still needs to be done.

The EU has made moderate but clear progress on sustainable development goal 14

  • Significant progress has been achieved under the common fisheries policy, but sustainability levels have yet to be reached for all fisheries.
  • Progress has been made on establishing marine protected areas (MPAs), but more work is needed, especially on strictly protected MPAs.

However, because of pollution and acidification, marine ecosystems remain under stress: ‘good environmental status’ was not achieved by 2020, as planned under the EU’s marine strategy framework Directive.

Press release on EU review of progress on the UN sustainable development agenda

EU proposals for international ocean governance 

In 2022, the Commission and the EU’s High Representative issued a joint communication updating the EU’s 2016 international ocean governance agenda.

The updated agenda plays an important role in delivering on the maritime and coastal aspects of the European Green Deal and demonstrates the EU’s strong commitment towards the ocean.

It takes account of key trends such as the growing impact of climate change and the rapid decline in biodiversity.

It also takes into consideration the new geopolitical landscape, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has caused instability and insecurity.

And it outlines a series of actions to preserve the ocean, under 4 policy strands

  1. International ocean governance framework
  2. Making ocean sustainability a reality by 2030
  3. Security and safety at sea
  4. Expanding knowledge of the ocean

Media

Euronews Ocean: NGOs work to rebuild vital coral reefs, but islands threatened by climate change need much more help. December 2019.

Euronews Ocean: NGOs work to rebuild vital coral reefs, but islands threatened by climate change need much more help

Seychelles and other small island states are at the forefront of climate change. With increasingly destructive hurricanes and floods, rising sea levels and dying coral reefs, how can island societies survive the climate impact?…