Europe (ONLY ONE) : Dispatch from EU OCEAN DAYS | What comes next...

 

Friend, We’ve just returned from this year’s EU Ocean Days, an annual  gathering where policymakers, scientists, industry, and civil  society meet to advance major ocean priorities across Europe. I was there in Brussels with Alex, Only One’s Government  Affairs Director, taking part in key discussions on how to  manage Europe's ocean as well as stop bottom trawling in  marine protected areas. We’re extra empowered by the fact that the public petition —  a huge signal that people across Europe expect action — is now  approaching 200,000 signatures. Here are some of the biggest developments from the week:

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen  announced Ocean Eye, a new global ocean monitoring  initiative, and reaffirmed the Ocean Pact (which hundreds of  you helped shape during the public consultation) as the EU’s  framework for ocean governance.  Commissioner of Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis  laid out a busy agenda, including a new Water Resilience  Strategy and stronger enforcement against illegal fishing.  He also discussed a new European Ocean Board of experts  who will guide upcoming policy.  Civil society organisations delivered major policy  briefings to Commissioner Kadis during a reception where  former Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Karmenu  Vella shared their unique perspectives on ocean governance.  These included Building an Ocean Union and The Next  EU Budget, a roadmap outlining investments needed for  resilient seas and coastal communities.

So as the Ocean Act is drafted and the Ocean Pact (the  general strategy that the formal Act puts into law) moves  to implementation, we’ll be sharing more ways you can  help push these commitments forward. In the meantime, if you haven’t yet, will you join the 680  supporters and counting who sent a message to  Commissioner Kadis and President von der Leyen on their  Instagram? And in case you missed it, check out the progress you helped  win in our fight against bottom trawling in 2025. We hope it’ll  energise you for the work ahead. For the ocean, Sam Collins and the Only One Team. We have only one planet and only one ocean, and there is only one way to do this: Together. Connect with us! Only One · 395 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, USA · Only One is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States.