The European Ocean Board has been officially launched by the European Commission. This expert group supports the implementation of the European Ocean Pact, the EU strategy designed to protect the oceans and promote a thriving blue economy.
The aim is to shape the future of EU ocean policy. The expert group will be tasked with:
- Advising the Commission on achieving the objectives of the European Ocean Pact, including ocean health, the competitiveness of the EU blue economy, support for coastal communities, knowledge and research, maritime security and defense, and international ocean governance.
- Providing opinions on specific matters related to the Ocean Pact.
- Promoting dialogue among members to encourage coherence and synergy between EU policies and private sector initiatives.
Chaired by Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, the Board brings together 28 members, selected through an open call, from diverse backgrounds, including trade and business associations, academia, research institutes, NGOs, and youth organizations.
The Board will complement the work of existing platforms, such as the Fisheries Advisory Councils and the European Blue Forum.
The full list of members is available in the Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities.
The European Ocean Board was established by the European Commission as a high-level expert group to support the implementation of the European Ocean Pact.
Adopted in June 2025, the European Ocean Pact brings together the EU’s ocean-related policies and actions, creating a unified and coordinated plan for ocean management. The creation of the European Ocean Board is one of the deliverables of the Pact.