Europe must invest in maritime security, the Blue Economy and the health of our Oceans

Renew Europe today unveils its position paper for a European Oceans Pact, outlining an actionable roadmap to enhance maritime security, drive economic growth and protect ocean health and sustainability. Liberal and Democrat MEPs call for the European Oceans Pact to be implemented as a joint effort between EU institutions as well as businesses, organisations and citizens who depend on access to the ocean or work with its resources.

We call on the European Commission to boost the blue economy by investing in sustainable fisheries, maritime transport decarbonisation and marine renewable energy projects. We support the creation of a One-Stop Blue Economy Platform: a centralised EU platform to provide businesses with single access to guidance for blue economy initiatives. The forthcoming proposal for a Pact must also reinforce European maritime security, strengthen international ocean governance, improve the protection of our critical infrastructures and increase surveillance of key trade routes.

Renew Europe urges the Commission to prioritise the implementation and alignment of existing legislation, and take legislative action only where critical gaps need to be addressed, to ensure Europe's effective leadership as a global maritime power.

You can read our Ocean Paper here.

Stéphanie Yon-Courtin MEP, (Renaissance, France) said:

“In a world of tensions, Europe must seize its maritime power and turn it into a geostrategic asset. The European Oceans Pact must set out a strategic and coordinated approach to unlock the potential of our low-carbon blue economy, strengthen our maritime security, integrate fisheries into our food sovereignty, and put the exploration of the Ocean at the service of its governance. The Oceans Pact will be an essential step towards the United Nations Ocean Conference in France next June, where the EU must support strong international agreements for the Ocean.”


Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez MEP, (Partido Nacionalista Vasco, Spain) reflected:

"The oceans are vital for the health, sustainability and competitiveness of the planet. We want to leave the healthiest seas possible. And that means mitigating risks and also building on Europe's strengths. This pact is key for the competitiveness of our ports. They are critical and strategic infrastructures that play a fundamental role not only in logistics and international trade but also as energy hubs."

Ana Vasconcelos MEP, (Iniciativa Liberal, Portugal) commented:

"It is high time that the Ocean becomes a centrepiece in EU climate policy, after being overlooked despite several efforts to prioritise it. By integrating scientific research, market-driven decarbonization solutions as well as maritime security, the Ocean Pact should provide clear and actionable guidelines for member states to unlock the ocean’s economic potential while safeguarding Europe’s security and preserving the marine ecosystem. Let us surpass pointless false dichotomies such as choosing between the economy and the environment, and focus on prioritising innovation. The Ocean Pact should be a strategic framework for European leadership in an increasingly unpredictable world."