20 July, Brussels – The European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned that the EU is currently failing to meet its goals under the 2008 Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Particular concern was raised over exploitation of marine resources and damage to biodiversity.
The EEA has recommended that the EU focus on improving implementation of current legislation, rather than introducing new legislation, and ensure that marine policy is better co-ordinated, for a holistic, eco-system based approach between the MSFD, Common Fisheries Policy, Habitats Directive and the Blue Growth Strategy.
Most of the fish stocks assessed by the EEA are not in good status, and less than 10% of marine habitats have a favourable conservation status. Management of marine industries will be a key issue for tackling the problem, with seabed mining regarded as an emerging sector with strong potentials, but also with significant risks.
Click to read the EEA’s reports, ‘The State of Europe’s Seas’ or to visit the Commission’s website on Blue Growth.