The international Our Ocean Conference, co-hosted by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is currently taking place in Malta, on 5 and 6 October. This morning, High Representative Mogherini on behalf of the European Union, announced an ambitious package of 36 EU-initiatives to foster healthier, cleaner, safer and more secure seas.

The European Union will host the fourth edition of the Our Ocean Conference in Malta, on 5 - 6 October 2017. The Our Ocean Conference aims to inspire joint solutions and gather ambitious commitments to conserve and sustainably use the oceans.

The ninth plenary session of the European Coast Guard Function Forum (ECGFF) took place on 28-29 September at the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) headquarters in Lisbon.

According to the latest Annual Economic Report, the overall economic performance of the EU fishing fleet improved again in 2015.

At the meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), which took place in Montreal from 18 to 22 September 2017, the European Union was instrumental in advancing key conservation measures based on the best available scientific advice, aiming to ensure sustainability for the stocks and predictability for the industry's future.

On Tuesday 26 September 2017, in a Seminar on the Status of European Fish Stocks and the Economic situation of European fishing fleets, the European Commission will be hearing the views of senior experts in fisheries biology from the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, NGOs, the industry, national administrations and members of the public.

The European Commission is delighted to announce that all 50 SEA LIFE aquariums and their charity partner SEA LIFE Trust have joined our "World Aquariums Against Marine litter", bringing the total number to 150.