Brussels, Belgium. Oceana on Friday urged the European Commission to take stronger action to protect marine ecosystems, while welcoming its recognition of the need to support Europe’s islands and coastal communities.
The NGO said upcoming policies should include practical protections for the marine environment, including measures to support small-scale fishermen with low environmental impact.
Call for protected coastal access
Oceana called for the creation of a preferential access area for small-scale fishermen with low environmental impact in coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles from shore. It said harmful practices such as bottom trawling should be banned in those areas.
Cyprus analysis
According to recent analysis in Cyprus, reserving these waters for small-scale fishing would have minimal effects on industrial fisheries, as bottom trawlers operate there only occasionally.
Oceana said such a measure could bring significant benefits for marine biodiversity, local fishermen, and the wider blue economy.
Existing national review and international examples
The NGO noted that the Cyprus government is already examining a phase-out of bottom trawling in territorial waters.
It added that similar areas have been established in 44 countries, where they have delivered environmental, economic, and social benefits to coastal communities while supporting sustainable marine resource management.