News

The kick-off meeting with CINEA and the European Commission (DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) marked the official launch of two new Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) projects funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). These projects support the European Green Deal and aim...

EU and neighbourhood countries agree 1st shared EU-Albania fisheries restricted area and other measures to protect Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and biodiversity

The EU and neighboring countries have agreed on key conservation measures, including the establishment of a shared fisheries restricted area (FRA) in...

This report identifies 80 measures to support wind and grid developers to minimise their potential environmental impacts on marine ecosystems. This work includes measures that reflect both avoidance and minimisation, including the most recent, relevant, and available information. Furthermore, ‘best practice’ measures were identified, which...

The EU has adopted new conservation measures to protect five Natura 2000 sites in the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea. Proposed by Germany and supported by all Baltic EU countries, these measures ban fishing with mobile bottom-contacting gears in specific areas, including Fehmarnbelt, Kadetrinne...

The Greater North Sea Initiative reached a new milestone this week with the signing of the Antwerp Declaration!

The Greater North Sea Initiative (GNSBI) aims to establish an intersectoral platform for the development of the North Sea region, fostering cooperation among the 9 bordering countries...

On 7 October 2025 the Irish Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, announced the launch of a new €25 million LIFE project to protect, conserve and restore the biodiversity of Ireland’s marine ecosystems. More specifically, the project will aim to support...

The MSPGlobal initiative launched its new self-paced online training ! The training presents the definition, concept, role and use of Maritime Spatial Planning and its relation to other integrated approaches. It explores ongoing implementation of MSP around the world, and dives into related aspects such...

The Belgium support mechanism for offshore wind farms, amounting to €682 million, was approved by the European Commission on 13th of September and should enable the first auction process for construction to start on October 28. 

The approval paves the way for the auction of...

A new study highlights that the European Union's Marine Protected Areas will not meet their conservation targets as they provide marginal protection againts industrial marine activities.

The paper highlights that reaching the EU’s 10% strict protection target will require “radical changes” through a better regulation...

Public administrations across the EU need to ensure necessary skills, competences and capabilities on individual, organisational and system level to address complex challenges, and to deliver quality policies and services. However they often struggle to attract and retain qualified staff due to increasing competition for...

This report presents the results of a survey which aimed to collect information and to summarise practices and lessons learned from conducting SEA during the preparation and adoption of recent maritime spatial plans by the Baltic Sea countries., which were obtained through a desk study...

The FLORES Project (Forward Looking at the Offshore Renewables), aiming to develop tools and activities to support and expand the Pact for Skills in the Offshore Renewable Energies, has launched its online MOOC on Ocean multi-use. 

This MOOC aims to provide real-world examples of...

This survey, developed by two EU-funded projects, BioAgora and B-USEFUL, aims to gather valuable insights from scientists and policymakers on the most pressing challenge for marine biodiversity at the science-policy-interface (SPI). 

The survey only takes 15 minute to complete and the information collected will...

The European Marine Board launched it's Future Science Brief No. 11 on 'Marine habitat mapping' during the "Brown Bag Lunch" meeting. The Future Science Brief was written by the EMB Working Group on Marine Habitat Mapping, consisting of 14 experts from 11 European countries...

Recognising that MSP serves as a vital tool for effectively managing marine resources, balancing conservation and economic interests, as well as the complexities and evolving nature of MSP, the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries...