A NEW DIRECTORATE GENERAL TO STRENGTHEN MEDITERRANEAN AND GULF PARTNERSHIPS
One sea, three continents: the European Commission has set up a new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) that will be headed by Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica.
It will be fully devoted to the Mediterranean region, i.e. North Africa, Middle East and the Gulf countries. The new DG will build strong partnerships with North Africa, Middle East and the Gulf countries to ensure prosperity, security and resilience based on mutual interests. The DG will focus on partnerships that look at investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration and other areas of mutual interest.
THE 8TH MONACO OCEAN PROTECTION CHALLENGE
The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge 2025 is now open for applications. Created in 2018, the challenge is an international business plan pitching competition for students and recent graduates. Its aim is to raise awareness of threats to our oceans by fostering young people’s entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and commitment to conserving our planet.
Deadline: March 6th 2025
BETTER MEASURES TO PROTECT COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
A Commission assessment published recently finds that progress has been made towards the good environmental status required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), particularly concerning marine litter, but significant gaps remain in the programmes of measures submitted by Member States to reduce marine pollution and restore marine biodiversity.
Although measures have been put in place for all pressures on marine ecosystems, some pressures feature more frequently than others, like marine litter and contaminants. A number of measures also aim to better protect species and restore habitats, but gaps persist for non-commercial fish, cephalopods, turtles and pelagic habitats.
European Maritime Transport Environmental Report 2025
Last February 4, the second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report was released, providing a comprehensive overview of the environmental impact of Europe’s maritime sector within the EU, as well as an assessment of practices to make it more sustainable. According to the report, the sector is making progress towards greater sustainability but will need to increase its efforts over the coming years to play its part in meeting 2030 EU climate and environment goals and achieving a climate neutral EU by 2050.
INFO/RAC MEETS THE STUDENTS OF THE STATE SCIENTIFIC HIGH SCHOOL “LOUIS PASTEUR” IN ROME
As part of the activities of the Transversal Skills and Orientation Pathways (PCTO) of the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), the Information and Communication Regional Activity Centre (INFO/RAC) based at the Institute promoted the third edition of the training course A lesson in environmental governance: discovering actions for the Mediterranean Sea and its coasts. The course, which started on 30 January 2025, sees the participation of 21 students from the State Scientific High School “Louis Pasteur” in Rome.
Marine litter on the EU coastline down
The newly-published EU Coastline Macro Litter Trend report found that the amount of marine macro litter (items bigger than 2.5 cm) in the EU coastline has dropped by 29 % between the baseline period (2015-2016) and the assessment period (2020-2021).
While the largest reduction in terms of percentages is seen at the Baltic Sea (45%), major efforts at the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have led to impressive reductions in absolute numbers of litter items on the beaches.
Webinar: Review of Draft Guidelines for Joint Spill Response Exercises
The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), organised on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, a webinar for the review and discussion of the draft Guidelines for the Development of Joint Spill Response Exercises (JSREs) within the Framework of the Sub-regional Contingency Plans (SCPs).
Register for the European Ocean Days in March 2025!
The Commission will host a week-long event to address the pressing issues facing the world’s ocean. From 3 to 7 March 2025, Brussels, Belgium, the European Ocean Days will bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from various fields to discuss sustainable blue economy, fisheries science, and innovative solutions to ocean-related challenges. The registration for the event is open.
DECARBONISING THE FISHING FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEA
The EU fisheries sector is still highly dependent on fossil fuels. To reach carbon neutrality in the EU by 2050, it is important to find solutions for fishing fleets, to reduce such dependency and move to renewable and low-carbon energy sources as quickly as possible.
The DecarbonyT project, started in December 2023 and financed under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, is assessing to what extent the use of optimised trawling gears in the Mediterranean and Black Sea can lead to lower fuel consumption.
Call for Applications: Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue 2027
In an era of divisive politics and tragic conflicts, building bridges and promoting dialogue are more than ever needed. In that spirit, this initiative showcases the true power of culture and intercultural dialogue. Visit the website to learn more about the application process
opportunities
