During European Ocean Days in Brussels, attention is focused on the transition from the Ocean Pact to the upcoming Ocean Act, a major piece of EU marine legislation expected by the end of 2026. The Act is set to become the most significant new law shaping Europe’s marine environment, and political momentum is growing around getting it right. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to signal the direction of travel in her opening remarks, highlighting the increasing political priority given to ocean issues.
European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis has described the Ocean Pact as a unified strategic framework for all ocean-related policies, with the Ocean Act serving as its binding legal instrument. The European Commission says the legislation will adopt an ecosystem-based approach and streamline existing maritime rules. However, environmental groups are questioning whether the Act will carry strong enforcement powers or remain largely aspirational. Campaigners are calling for a binding framework similar to the EU Climate Law, embedding clear biodiversity and 30×30 protection targets into enforceable legislation.
Enforcement is a central concern. While the EU already has marine protection laws, critics argue that implementation is weak, particularly under the Common Fisheries Policy. The European fishing sector faces multiple pressures, including accusations that catch limits remain unsustainably high, post-Brexit quota disputes, and difficulties enforcing rules such as the landing obligation, which bans discarding unwanted fish. The Commission is preparing a Vision 2040 strategy aimed at building a competitive and sustainable fisheries sector, but deep structural challenges remain.
A major issue is workforce decline in the fishing industry. The profession is physically demanding, risky, and requires significant upfront investment. A recent WWF study found that only 17 percent of fishers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea are under 25, while nearly half are over 40. Policymakers are grappling with how to attract younger workers while also addressing overcapacity in overfished regions. Commissioner Kadis argues that greater stability, fleet modernisation, and improved business models are key to generational renewal, while many stakeholders want to preserve small-scale, family-run fisheries as part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
The EU’s biodiversity commitment to protect 30 percent of its seas by 2030, with 10 percent under strict protection, is also under scrutiny. As of 2023, only about 13.7 percent of EU marine waters were designated as protected areas. Even Commissioner Kadis has expressed doubt about meeting the 30×30 target. Environmental groups argue that progress is too slow and that many Marine Protected Areas exist only on paper, with weak enforcement and continued destructive practices such as bottom trawling. While campaigners advocate for an immediate ban on bottom trawling in protected zones, the Commission supports a case-by-case and targeted approach, alongside co-management involving local communities to improve compliance and effectiveness.
Maritime security has also risen sharply on the political agenda. Threats such as sabotage of undersea cables and gas pipelines have prompted revisions to the EU Maritime Security Strategy, including improved coordination, live exercises, and potential drone monitoring of suspicious activities. The EU is also working to identify vessels linked to the so-called Russian shadow fleet for sanctions. However, security experts warn that coordination gaps remain, particularly in sensitive regions like the Baltic Sea, where risks to communications and energy infrastructure are considered significant.
European Ocean Days, held from 2 to 6 March 2026 in Brussels and online, provide a platform for policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders to debate these pressing issues. As the EU prepares to unveil the Ocean Act, the central question remains whether it will deliver robust, enforceable measures capable of restoring marine ecosystems, strengthening fisheries, and safeguarding Europe’s waters for the future.
