From Arctic to tropics, Commission report sounds alarm on ocean health

Every part of the ocean is now under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, according to the ninth report on the state of the ocean, published today by  the Marine Environment Monitoring Service of Copernicus, the EU Earth observation system.

The findings show that ocean warming is accelerating, marine biodiversity hotspots are at increasing risk, and acidification is advancing fast. Plastic pollution now affects all ocean basins, while endangered species and coral reefs face critical threats.

Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius (pictured) said: “As an owner of Copernicus, the most unique Earth observation system, the Union is able to monitor the state of the Earth's environment and its subsystems. The Copernicus infrastructure and services constitute a world class capacity allowing the Union to have a leading role in observing and forecasting different ocean state parameters.”

Fisheries and Oceans Commissioner Costas Kadis said: “The conclusions of the Ocean State Report reveal a difficult but essential diagnosis of our ocean. It confirms the triple planetary crisis is not a future threat, but a present reality in our basins. This also means that we have taken the first necessary steps, as data is at the foundation of effective action.”

More information, including the full report, is available in this press release.

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