Marine Policy makers from around Europe gathered in Tenerife last week for the annual meeting of the OSPAR Commission for the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.
Measures were adopted to protect and conserve a further species and habitat identified by OSPAR as being particularly vulnerable within the North-East Atlantic. The Atlantic salmon (in cooperation with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation) and intertidal mudflats both saw their protection extended.
OSPAR also announced that 10 new Marine Protected Areas had been added to its network this year, bringing the total to 423.
The international effort to reduce marine litter was also furthered with the creation a Fishing for Litter network across the North-East Atlantic which will allow vessels to land waste in any of over 40 harbours involved. Further notable success in the fight against marine litter saw OSPAR agree to tackle sources of micro plastic pollution to the marine environment.
The latest evaluation of progress towards OSPAR’s Radioactive Substance Strategy showed that, thanks to international cooperation through the Convention, OSPAR Contracting Parties have achieved substantial reductions in discharges from the nuclear sector.
Outgoing Chairman, Victor Escobar, said that OSPAR delegates should “take time to celebrate the successes of the Commission” before going on to remind delegates that they should “…be proud of the solid foundation of intergovernmental trust and cooperation for which the OSPAR Commission is known”.
He also reminded delegates that continued cooperation was vital to the health of the North-East Atlantic, but that only by strengthening commitment and developing ambitious visions to protect the marine environment can progress be made.
