Europe and the world depends on oceans and seas for food, as a buffer to the impacts of global warming and to provide opportunities for new human activities.

Marine littering, pollution, climate change and overexploitation are threatening our ability to sustainably use the oceans, seas and coasts.

Research and innovation are critical so we can better monitor, understand, protect, preserve and harness our oceans and seas. We can also create sustainable value from traditional and new marine and aquatic value chains and sectors.