Marine biodiversity and habitat loss is an ongoing challenge for
Europe’s seas. In this report, we examine how this challenge is
addressed by key EU policies and spending programmes in parts
of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
While a framework is in place to protect the marine environment,
EU actions have not restored seas to good environmental status
nor fishing to sustainable levels in all seas. EU protection rules
have not led to the recovery of significant ecosystems and
habitats; Marine Protected Areas provide limited protection;
provisions to coordinate fisheries policy with marine protection
policy are little used in practice; and relatively few of the
available funds are used for conservation measures.
While there has been measurable improvement in fish stocks in
the Atlantic, this is not the case in the Mediterranean.
We make recommendations to the Commission to address these
issues, together with the Member States.
ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second
subparagraph, TFEU.