THE PLEDGE

Healthy ocean by 2030. Implement the Blue Manifesto!

Our ocean is in peril. Over 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, and the current scale of marine litter means we’re eating the equivalent of one credit card worth of plastic every week. Since the 1970s, the population of cod in the North Sea, the species in iconic fish and chip dishes, has fallen by 80%. In the Mediterranean Sea, marine mammal populations have fallen by 41% in the last 50 years. And 80% of EU fishing subsidies go to large-scale industrial fishers that have the heaviest impact on the marine environment.

But the ocean is our greatest ally in the fight against the climate and biodiversity crises! The ocean absorbs approximately a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions. Coastal ecosystems, like seagrasses, salt marshes and mangroves can store carbon at rates two to four times higher than mature tropical forests.

Restoring and protecting coastal ecosystems like wetlands could not only save the insurance industry around €50 billion annually through reducing flood damage losses, but it would also save people’s homes and businesses. 

So, how can we help our ocean, to in turn support nature and people? In 2020, over 100 environmental NGOs led by Seas At Risk, BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, Oceana, Surfrider Foundation Europe and WWF launched the “Blue Manifesto”, a rescue plan for Europe to ensure a healthy ocean by 2030. The plan lays out concrete actions which must be delivered by set dates in order to turn the tide on ever degraded and polluted ocean and coastlines. Each year an assessment measures the EU’s progress (or lack of progress) .

During Ocean Week 2022, we are inviting policymakers to reflect on 2021’s progress assessment, comment on the findings, and commit to take action. We are also calling on them to signal their commitment to 4 key actions that must urgently be taken to protect and restore our blue planet for the benefit of both people and wildlife. 

  • End harmful fisheries subsidies by 2023, redirecting funds to finance the EU’s transition to low-impact fisheries

  • Highly or fully protect at least 30% of EU seas and coastal areas by 2030 

  • Restore at least 15% of EU marine and coastal areas by 2030

  • Reduce marine litter, bacteriological contamination and chemical pollution by 50% by 2030 at EU level


    Join us on June 13th to discover how the EU is performing on delivering ocean health and to call on your decision makers to sign the pledge.


Registration is free and required to access the event.