This Ocean Pact, adopted on the 5th June 2025, brings together EU ocean policies under one single and coordinated framework. It will do so through a collaborative approach between EU countries, regions, and stakeholders, including fishers, innovators, investors, scientists, and civil society. Six priority areas for action will define this work, namely
- protecting and restoring ocean health by supporting EU countries in their efforts to restore degraded coastal marine habitats
- boosting the competitiveness of the EU sustainable blue economy including by strengthening the EU’s maritime industry and by introducing a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy, to foster access to young professionals in marine research, ocean tech, and sustainable fisheries
- supporting coastal and island communities, and outermost regions by presenting new or updated strategies for these regions and communities
- enhancing maritime security and defence by strengthening EU coast guard cooperation and maritime border security
- advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills and innovation by proposing an ambitious EU Ocean Observation Initiative
- strengthening EU ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance by stepping up its fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
The ocean is crucial for sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism and energy. The Commission plans to boost the EU’s maritime industry with a new Industrial Maritime Strategy and an EU Ports Strategy. It will also evaluate and possibly revise the Common Fisheries Policy. To ensure thriving EU fisheries and aquaculture, the Commission will present a long-term vision for these sectors in 2026. The Commission will also foster access to young professionals in marine research, ocean tech, and sustainable fisheries by introducing a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy.
The Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) is explicitly mentioned in the document, “The Commission will propose measures aimed at the decarbonisation and modernisation of the fisheries fleet, supported by the Energy Transition Partnership for the fisheries and aquaculture sector”. Additionally, the annex covering ocean-related targets in EU legislation and policy also includes “Measures to support achieving climate neutrality by 2050 – integrating energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture, reducing GHG emissions, enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency, aligning with biodiversity and pollution goals, developing skills and careers, investing in research and innovation, and promoting international collaboration”.
The European Ocean Pact will be complemented by an ocean act by 2027, which will help to ensure the implementation of the priorities of the pact. An EU Ocean Pact dashboard will be used to track progress.
