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Map of the Week – Marine Natura 2000 Sites

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This week, in the framework of Ocean Weekblue NGOs have come together in Brussels to celebrate Europe’s seas, hosting events such as debates, exhibitions, and more, aimed at exploring how to restore ocean abundance.

On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, the Blue Manifesto was launched, endorsed by more than 100 organisations. As a roadmap for a healthy ocean by 2030, the Manifesto outlines key actions for policymakers, including the adoption of an EU Ocean Deal and Ocean Fund, placing the ocean at the heart of decision-making. The launch featured thought-provoking panels with key European Union (EU) leaders, including former Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Director-General of the European Commission’ Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Charlina Vitcheva and Deputy Director-General of Directorate-General for Environment, Patrick Child, who discussed the current state of EU ocean policies. 

On Thursday, 3 October 2024, the EU4Ocean Coalition hosted the event the Be a Blue Citizen: Inclusive Ocean Literacy and Democracy in Motion. The day kicked off with a hands-on media workshop, where students and young professionals honed their digital communication and interview skills, focusing on how to effectively convey ocean literacy and sustainability issues. In the afternoon, a workshop led by the Youth4Ocean Forum, centred on inclusivity in ocean literacy, ocean management and policy-making. Following speeches by Members of the European Parliament Mélissa Camara and Virginijus Sinkevičius and a panel discussion with young experts, participants examined ways to integrate youth, marginalised communities, and diverse perspectives into ocean literacy efforts.

As showcased by the events of Ocean Week, the time to protect the ocean is now! Embracing this vision, this week’s map highlights the network of marine Natura 2000 sites throughout Europe. Zoom in the map and click on the Natura 2000 sites to have more detailed information.

Natura 2000 was established under the 1979 Birds Directive and the 1992 Habitats Directive, designating Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) to safeguard the long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and endangered species and habitats[1]. Covering all EU countries, Natura 2000 spans over 18% of the EU’s land area and nearly 9% of its marine territory in 2022 [2]. It is the largest coordinated conservation area network globally, playing a crucial role in protecting biodiversity within the EU [3]. It provides a significant contribution towards achieving the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 and to the Program of Work of Protected Areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity

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The data in this map are provided by EMODnet

 

[1]  https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/natura-2000_en

[2] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/natura-2000-awards-eu-recognises-excellence-nature-protection-across-europe-2022-05-19_en

[3] https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/biodiversity/natura-2000/the-natura-2000-protected-areas-network