With a coastline 7 times as long as the United States' and 4 times as long as Russia's, the EU's maritime regions are home to almost half the EU's population and account for almost half its GDP. Fisheries and the maritime economy are drivers for jobs and growth in Europe's coastal communities.

The Estonian Presidency of the EU and the European Commission are jointly hosting a conference on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) on 12-13 October 2017.

The European Commission has announced over €550 million of EU-funded initiatives to tackle global oceans challenges, at the Our Ocean Conference 2017 in Malta, co-hosted by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

More than six billion euros committed by public and private actors to better manage the 70% of the planet - our oceans – at conference hosted by the European Union in Malta.

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.