NGOs call for evaluation of Marine Action Plan to protect EU seas

Marine NGOs including Oceana, Seas At Risk, and ClientEarth released an analysis revealing that no EU country has comprehensive plans to phase out destructive fishing activities, such as bottom trawling, from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2030. This analysis coincides with the first anniversary of a deadline imposed by the EU Marine Action Plan for countries to submit roadmaps for such initiatives. Despite some measures in place within certain MPAs, many remain endangered, prompting legal actions against several national governments for failing to uphold EU environmental laws. Notably, Germany is the only country that has designated more than 30% of its waters as MPAs, while others have designated as low as 5% of their marine areas.