The EU and Greece will invest a combined €4.3 billion in protecting the ocean and marine biodiversity, and promoting sustainability, they announced at the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens.
EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius released a statement Tuesday saying the bloc would put €3.5 bln towards 40 ocean-related initiatives this year.
“The European Union continues standing up for the ocean. With €3.5 bln worth of pledges, the European Union confirms its strong commitment to protect the ocean,” Sinkevicius said.
The most significant amounts in the EU package, up to €1.9 bln, will be allocated under the Recovery and Resilience Facility for reforming sustainable fisheries in Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Poland, and Portugal.
An additional €23.5 mln will support the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), the Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs), and International Agreements in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic Oceans, and in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Another €1.5 mln will support the implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Other pledges included:
- €25.36 mln to implement and preserve marine protected areas (MPAs)
- €103 mln for ocean observation programmes (Copernicus, Wekeo, Neccton) and for advancing research on climate change
- Up to €264 mln to support sustainable and blue economies, both in European (Italy and Portugal) and African countries
- Up to €980 mln under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to tackle marine pollution in Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and Finland
- €45 mln to enhance maritime security and safety in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Guinea regions in Africa
- €92.3 mln to support the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters research programme
“The ocean is part of who we are, and our shared responsibility. One year after the conclusion of the BBNJ Agreement, I am glad to reiterate, here in Greece, the EU’s ambition to continue acting as a driving force towards ocean sustainability,” Sinkevicius added.
On Thursday, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will examine the BBNJ – Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions – ratification.
GREEK COMMITMENT
The EU pledge came after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday had announced the country would finance 21 initiatives with €780 mln in a bid to protect marine biodiversity and tackle coastal pollution.
During the summit, Greece is also expected to present its national strategy for marine biodiversity protection.
Last week, the Greek government unveiled its plan to create two new marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian Seas that will cover 32% of national waters. The area will be defined by early 2025 after scientists have completed their research.
Greece has the longest coastline of any country that borders the Mediterranean Sea. Currently, MPAs in the country cover a total of 22,746 square kilometres, according to Biodiversity, the information system for Europe.
“Quietly but methodically, Greece is playing a leading role in the defence against dramatic climate changes, which are proven to affect every region and every activity,” Mitsotakis wrote in an op-ed in Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Over 400 commitments worth $10 bln are expected to be announced during the conference, which ends Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported.
By Giada Ferraglioni – giada@carbon-pulse.com
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