The European Union has partnered with China to improve international governance of the oceans including combating IUU fishing and promoting a sustainable blue economy.
The partnership also contains clear commitments to protect the marine environment, tackle climate change in accordance with the Paris Agreement and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular the Sustainable Development Goal 14 on oceans.
EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for the environment, maritime affairs and fisheries, said: “With the partnership signed today, the European Union and China are stepping up their joint efforts, towards a more sustainable future for our oceans and the millions that make their living from them.”
Collaboration opportunities
This partnership outlines future collaboration in areas including the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in the high seas; the fight against marine pollution including marine plastic litter and micro-plastics; the mitigation of and adaption to climate change impacts on oceans, including the Arctic Ocean; the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources; plus the fisheries governance in regional and global fora and the prevention of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
EU and China will also promote the circular economy within the blue economy, based on clean technologies and best available practices. Cooperation will extend to improving knowledge of the oceans through better ocean literacy, enhanced ocean observation and open science and data.
