Today, @nicofournier.bsky.social presented our #MarineActionPlan MPA seabed protection tracker at a press conference in Paris, as part of the Week of Ocean Action.

The lack of ambition from EU member states is worrying. The #EUOceanPact must #BanBottomTrawling in MPAs! 🌊

⚠️New analysis by marine NGOs shows that many EU countries are failing to stop destructive fishing in their Marine Protected Areas.

We call on @ec.europa.eu to evaluate the #MarineActionPlan and establish new rules to strengthen the protection of EU seas.

seas-at-risk.org/press-releas...

No EU country has a clear plan to stop destructive fishing like #BottomTrawling in its #MarineProtectedAreas by 2030, as required by the #MarineActionPlan.

And yet science shows that 80% of MPAs still allow destructive activities, harming marine ecosystems.

➡️ europe.oceana.org/press-releas...

🆕 analysis by marine NGOs shows that many EU 🇪🇺 countries are failing to stop destructive fishing in their #MPAs.

We call on @ec.europa.eu to evaluate the #MarineActionPlan & establish new rules to strengthen the protection of EU seas.

👉 europe.oceana.org/press-releas...

🚨"Implement, implement, implement!" Monica Verbeek from SAR explains how MS are not complying with EU rules on Marine Protected Areas, incl Habitats Directive & #MarineActionPlan. This is why our #BlueManifesto is asking for new legislation for MPAs, so #ProtectedMeansProtected! 🌊🛡️

"Unsustainable fishing practices [..] like trawling [..] deplete fish stocks and destroy habitats."

Good to hear that this has landed with Charlina Vitcheva, director general at DG MARE. Let's implement the #MarineActionPlan and ban bottom trawling in MPAs!

Two years ago, the EU 🇪🇺 launched its #MarineActionPlan.

Today, many marine protected areas in Europe are still paper parks with destructive fishing occurring inside them. Marine protection must be real! #ProtectedMeansProtected