A framework intended to unify EU policies on ocean health, the blue economy and coastal communities has been adopted by the European Commission. The Ocean Pact comes with a €1-billion budget, a third of which is “earmarked” for research and scientific projects, according to a Commission spokesperson.
The pact, announced on June 11 during the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, will fund 57 projects ranging from promoting sustainable fishing in Tanzania to regenerating mangrove forests in Guyana. It is expected to streamline coordination between maritime stakeholders and synchronise ocean-related reporting obligations to help member states navigate existing legislation.