Overview

Today I have written to Fisheries and Environment Ministers of 22 European Union Member States about the issue of incidental catches of dolphins and other marine animals in EU waters, especially in the Bay of Biscay and the Celtic Sea,to urge them to collaborate in finding a solution for this situation. As the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, I am fully committed to resolve this problem.

Statement by Commissioner Vella after the Agrifish Council, 19/12/2019

The map shows three layers: Marine Natura 2000 sites, Coralligenous habitats, and Marine protected areas (by country). Coralligenous habitats are underwater rocky reefs unique to the Mediterranean Sea and home to about 1,700 species. Not only do they act as carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots, but they also support commercially important fish species and contribute to marine tourism and coastal economies.

This map shows 33 shoreline types along Europe’s coasts, ranging from rocky cliffs and sand dunes to estuaries and man-made coastal defence. Zoom in to see how coastal erosion affects different shorelines. The map layer was developed through the EU-funded EUROSION project.

These free-floating instruments move with ocean currents and use sensors to measure conditions such as temperature, salinity and currents, and, in some cases, oxygen, turbidity or chlorophyll. The data are sent by satellite and contribute to marine forecasts and marine safety. Open access to this ocean information is possible through open marine data initiatives like EMODnet.

Call for Applications for Pitchers at BlueInvest Africa 2025, Togo – Deadline 30/04/25

The Commission has launched a second call for applications with a view to extending the membership of the group and achieving an appropriate balance of the interests represented by selecting organisations operating in the field of activities related to youth, fisheries and migration/integration.