Policy Consultations

European marine sciences and policies are developing and changing rapidly. This calls for continuous alertness from the European Marine Board to the growing number of initiatives and policy developments, and the flexibility and ability to engage in targeted interactions in response. The EMB develop short statements and responses to policy developments (e.g. Stakeholder statements, as well as European Commission Green Papers and Consultations).

European Marine Board Statements and Responses


Call for Evidence on Nutrients - action plan for better management

EMB Secretariat input to the European Commission call for evidence on nutrient action plan (April 2022) Download

Online Stakeholder Briefing: Inputs to the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Political Declaration Zero Draft 

EMB Secretariat input to the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Political Declaration Zero Draft (March 2022) Download

Targeted consultation on the 2022 Report on the Functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy

EMB Secretariat response to the European Commission online consultation survey (February 2022) Download

Public consultation on the review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

EMB Secretariat response to the European Commission online consultation survey (October 2021) Download
EMB Secretariat feedback to the European Commission online consultation on protecting the environment in the EU's seas and oceans - review of the MSFD (April 2021) Download

Planning the future of ocean observation

  • Letter from EMB Executive Director to Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius on Ocean Observation (March 2021) Download
  • EMB feedback to EU inception impact assessment on Ocean Observation (November 2020) Download


Future of the European Research Area

  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on a the European Research Area (July 2020) Download


Planning the European Data Strategy

  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission online consultation on a European strategy for data (May 2020) Download


Planning the European Green Deal

  • Letter from EMB Executive Director to Vice President Frans Timmermans on the Ocean in the Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy (March 2021) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to the European Commission Bathing water quality – review of EU rules (March 2021) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to the European Commission Communication on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU (October 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Zero Pollution Ambition Action Plan (October 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission online consultation on the EU Renewable Energy Rules Review (September 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission online consultation on the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy (July 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on revision of Adaptation to Climate Change Strategy (June 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on update of Strategic Guidelines for EU Aquaculture (April 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on revision of 2030 Climate Target Plan (April 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on revision of waste shipments rules (March 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on 'Farm to Fork' strategy (February 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on European climate law (January 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on EU 2030 biodiversity strategy (January 2020) Download
  • EMB Secretariat feedback to European Commission Communication on New Circular Economy Action Plan (January 2020) Download


Negotiations on the EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe 2021-2027

  • EMB Secretariat response to Horizon Europe First Strategic Plan 2021-2024 Consultation Survey (September 2020) Download
  • EMB letter to European Commission Director Kurt Vandenberghe requesting the inclusion of Seas and Oceans in future Horizon Europe Partnerships (July 2019) Download
  • EMB letter to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani highlighting the importance of marine science (January 2019) Download


Planning the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

  • EMB letter on the Ocean Decade to the European Commission and IOC-UNESCO (December 2017) Download


Stakeholder consultation to the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 Work Programme 2018-2020

  • European Marine Board response to the EC consultation (August 2016) Download


Stakeholder consultation to the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 5 Work Programme 2018-2019-2020

European Marine Board response to the EC consultation (April 2016) Download

Stakeholder consultation on the Strategic Research Agenda revision of JPI Climate

  • European Marine Board response to the JPI Climate consultation (April 2016) Download


EC Stakeholder consultation on International Ocean Governance


Stakeholder consultation to the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 programme

  • European Marine Board response to the EC consultation (June 2014) Download


Stakeholder consultation to the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 5 programme

  • European Marine Board response to the EC consultation (June 2014) Download


Stakeholder consultation on seabed mining

  • European Marine Board response to the EC consultation (June 2014) Download


Message from Bedruthan: Unanimous call for a coordinated, transnational and interdisciplinary Oceans and Human Health research programme in Europe Download

  • High-level message from a workshop which brought together 50 experts from a broad range of disciplines to discuss the complex interactions between the marine environment and human health (March 2014). The Bedruthan workshop unanimously called for a coordinated, transnational and interdisciplinary Oceans and Human Health research programme in Europe. Research should be solutions-oriented, supporting health and wellbeing promotion and disease treatment, and informing maritime, environment, public health and innovation policy. The workshop was convened by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (University of Exeter) and the European Marine Board, with organizing support from Ifremer, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.


Marine Knowledge 2020: From seabed mapping to ocean forecasting


Areas of untapped potential for the development of the European Research Area

  • Marine Board Response to the EC Consultation (November 2011) Download


From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding

  • Marine Board Response to the EC Green Paper (May 2011) Download


Marine Board Statement Towards a European Network of Marine Observatories (September 2010) Download


Roadmap for a European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODNET)

  • Joint Marine Board - EuroGOOS Response to the EC Consultation Download
  • Marine Board - EuroGOOS Vision Document on EMODNET (September 2008) can be downloaded from the publications page


EU Action to promote Offshore (Wind) Energy 

  • Marine Board Response to the EC Consultation Download


Invasive Alien Species (IAS) – A European Concern

  • Marine Board Response to the EC Consultation Download


WISE-Marine, Extending WISE to Serve as a Common Reporting Platform for the Marine Environment Community under the EU Maritime Strategy

  • Marine Board Response to the EC Consultation Download


Adapting to Climate Change in Europe – Options for EU Actions

  • Marine Board Response to the EC Green Paper Download
  • Marine Board's Responses to the EC Green Papers: (i) Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for the oceans and seas, and (ii) The European Research Area: New Perspectives Download (2MB)