EU Invests Over $342 Million in Ocean Conservation
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busan — April 30, 2025 — The European Union is investing over $342 million in worldwide ocean conservation initiatives, emphasizing support for a sustainable blue economy, tackling marine pollution and promoting marine protected areas. announced at the Our Ocean Conference, the meaningful investment addresses crucial environmental concerns. For a deeper dive into the EU’s global stewardship, read on.
EU Invests Over $342 Million in Ocean Conservation Initiatives
Busan, Republic of Korea — The European Union (EU) has pledged €301,485,000 (approximately $342.7 million USD) to bolster ocean conservation efforts across the globe [[2]]. The funding, announced at the Our ocean Conference in Busan, will support a range of projects focused on sustainable blue economy, marine pollution, marine protected areas, digital oceans, sustainable fisheries, and addressing ocean and climate change [[1]].
Key Investment Areas
The EU’s commitment targets critical areas essential for ocean health and sustainability. Here’s a breakdown of where the funds are allocated:
Did You Know?
The “blue economy” refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
- Sustainable Blue Economy: €120 million is earmarked to assist African and Pacific nations in strengthening ocean governance and fostering sustainable blue economies.This includes €58 million for the Western Indian Ocean, €42 million for Central Africa, and €20 million for the Pacific [[1]].
- Marine Pollution: A ample €65.5 million will be dedicated to combating marine pollution. This encompasses €18 million for developing a comprehensive European strategy for assessing and monitoring aquatic litter, €43.5 million to support authorities in eliminating pollution and transitioning to a climate-neutral and circular blue economy, and €4 million for technical assistance to support up to 50 targeted communities in preparing transition agendas, driving local change and promoting sustainable practices [[1]].
- Marine Protected Areas: €40 million is allocated to support partner countries in preserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity areas and swiftly ratifying the Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty [[1]].
- Digital Ocean: Through the EU Mission restore our Ocean and Waters, €30 million is committed to the Digital Twin Ocean, an initiative to create a digital replica of the ocean for research and monitoring purposes [[1]].
- Sustainable Fisheries: €2.5 million will support the implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to effectively combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing [[1]].
- Ocean and Climate Change: €985,000 will strengthen the ‘International Platform for Ocean Sustainability’ (IPOS) to enhance the exchange of scientific knowledge and policy expertise, driving informed decision-making for ocean conservation [[1]].
Our Ocean Conference: A global Stage for Marine conservation
The announcement was made at the Our Ocean Conference in Busan. The Conference is an international event, launched in 2014 and hosted by a different contry each year, aiming to foster global ocean governance and action to support marine conservation and sustainable development [[1]].
Pro Tip
The BBNJ Agreement, or High Seas Treaty, is a landmark agreement to protect marine life in international waters, covering areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean.
EU’s Broader Commitment to Ocean Sustainability
This pledge is part of a larger effort by the European Union to champion ocean sustainability. In 2024, the EU announced a $3.71 billion investment in ocean sustainability through 40 action-based initiatives [[3]]. This commitment, unveiled at the Our Ocean Conference in Greece, represents the largest pledge by the EU since the conference’s inception a decade ago [[3]].
FAQ: Understanding the EU’s Ocean Conservation Efforts
- What is the Our Ocean Conference?
- It is an international event launched in 2014, hosted annually by a different country, to promote global ocean governance and marine conservation.
- What is the BBNJ Agreement?
- Also known as the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, it aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
- What is the Digital Twin Ocean?
- It is a digital replica of the ocean created for research and monitoring purposes under the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters.
- What is IUU fishing?
- It stands for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which the EU is combating through the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
