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Founded in 2008, European Maritime Day (EMD) is the European Union’s annual flagship event dedicated to maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy. The map shows the host cities of the EMD conference since its launch. EMD 2026 will take place on 21-22 May in Limassol, Cyprus, organised jointly by the European Commission, the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Limassol Municipality.

The European seas are a major hub of maritime traffic. Maritime transport moves 75% of the EU’s trade with other countries and 30% of goods between EU nations. Ports also serve as key energy centres for both traditional and renewable energy. Each year, nearly 400 million passengers pass through European ports. The Map of the Month highlights ship traffic in the EU’s busiest ports.

The EU4Ocean Coalition is organising the fifth edition of the #MakeEUBlue Awards. The awards aim to recognise successful ocean literacy initiatives that show the crucial importance of the ocean in all facets of life.

The Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) for EU fisheries and aquaculture is launching the first edition of the Energy Transition for EU Fisheries and Aquaculture Champions in 2026.

Ports play an important role in the economy, serving as essential gateways that connect Europe's transport corridors with the global market. 74% of goods entering or exiting Europe are transported by sea. In 2023, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, and Hamburg ranked as the top three EU ports for freight transport. Explore the Map of the month to see the main ports for goods traffic.

Many ocean energy test sites and pilot projects are located along the coasts of the Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic, and Mediterranean. These sites serve as testing grounds for emerging technologies under real marine conditions, harnessing the ocean's immense potential to generate electricity for homes, transportation, and industry.

The EU supports coastal area development through community-led initiatives. Fisheries Local Action Groups (LAGs) unite fisheries sector representatives, local public and private stakeholders and civil society to craft local development strategies. Enabled by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), they allocate funding to projects that foster sustainable development.

Argo floats are autonomous oceanographic instruments designed to drift with ocean currents and collect valuable data. They typically move vertically through the water column, collecting measurements of temperature, salinity, and current speed up to depths of 2000 metres. This month's map highlights the locations of Argo floats in the Greenland Sea and Arctic Ocean. These floats provide critical insights into the physical state of the ocean, which aids in climate research and understanding ocean dynamics.

The European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme sets the direction for Europe at sea. From sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to ocean governance and coastal resilience, each initiative strengthens how Europe manages its seas and supports those who depend on them.

The blue economy encompasses all economic activities that are based on or connected to the ocean, seas, and coasts. This includes sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism, shipping, ports, and marine renewable energy. Check out the Map of the Month to discover more about specific activities like macroalgae farming, fish farms, shellfish farms, ocean energy projects, wind farms, and ferry routes.

The MISSION ATLANTIC project, funded by Horizon 2020, has studied Atlantic Ocean ecosystems to understand what changes affects marine biodiversity and ocean resources. Check out the Map of the Month, created from the project's findings, to see how suitable the shallow Atlantic waters are for 30 key commercial fish species, including the yellowfin tuna. This information is important for sustainable fisheries management.

Discover the Map of the Month to locate wind farms and macroalgae production sites across Europe. The map displays macroalgae production sites by production method—land-based, offshore, and coastal aquaculture or harvesting. It also shows offshore wind farms planned or under construction in European waters. Click on the symbols and polygons for more details and zoom in to explore specific areas.

Check out this month's map to see the international fishing zones set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. There are 27 main fishing zones worldwide: 8 for inland waters on continents and 19 for the Ocean—covering the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern regions—and nearby seas. Each zone, whether inland or marine, is named and assigned a two-digit code.

Around 1,200 maritime stakeholders gathered last week in Cork for the 2025 edition of European Maritime Day (EMD). Organised annually by the European Commission in a different maritime city, EMD is the key forum to shape and debate the future of Europe’s sustainable blue economy. The event featured workshops, networking sessions, side events, and award ceremonies.

The expansion of offshore wind energy can reduce our CO2 emissions, and safeguard Europe’s competitiveness and energy supply security. Explore the map of the month to discover the locations and operational statuses of offshore wind farms scattered across European waters.

The EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters focuses on improving the health of our ocean and waterways through research, innovation, public involvement, and blue investments. Key goals include creating a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy, reducing pollution, and safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. Check out the map to discover Mission Actions in Europe.

The map features European shellfish farms. Shellfish, especially mussels, oysters and clams, make up more than 50% of the EU’s total aquaculture production. Aquaculture worlwide is quickly expanding, contributing to global food supply and economic growth. In the EU, it’s vital to develop skills and careers in this field among the younger generation.

Each year, millions of tonnes of litter are produced from various human activities, with much of it ending up in the ocean, causing environmental, economic, and public health issues. The map of the month displays the percentage of seabed litter in categories such as glass, textile, metal, and polymer. Click on the map's graphs for more details.

This month's map shows Fisheries Local Action Groups (LAGs) across Europe, backed by the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). EMFAF focuses on community-led local development by supporting local partnerships involving fisheries representatives and stakeholders in the blue economy. Over 300 LAGs in Europe receive EMFAF support.

Healthy rivers are important for salmon. Salmon begin their lives in rivers before going to sea to grow and mature, then returning to their native river to spawn. They are affected by changes in water quality, habitat, climate, and barriers during migration. Protecting and restoring habitats is essential for salmon. Explore the map of the month to view the main European rivers and lakes.