EU Launches Public Consultation on European Ocean Act Until 16 July 2026
Summary
The European Commission launched a public consultation on the European Ocean Act on 23 April 2026, open until 16 July 2026, inviting stakeholders, public authorities, experts, citizens, and coastal communities to share views via a structured questionnaire. The European Ocean Act aims to consolidate EU ocean-related targets, streamline ocean governance, reduce bureaucracy and reporting burdens, and modernise maritime spatial planning. The Commission plans to adopt the legislative proposal by the end of 2026, with the Act set to create a legal basis for the OceanEye European ocean observation initiative and align with the revised Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Companies operating in the EU blue economy—including fisheries, maritime transport, offshore energy, marine research, and coastal tourism—should review the consultation questionnaire and consider submitting input before 16 July 2026 to influence the Act's reporting requirements, governance streamlining provisions, and alignment with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Maritime spatial planning authorities at EU Member State level should monitor this file closely, as national-level coordination obligations under the Act are expected to expand.
About this source
GovPing monitors EU DG JUST for new environment regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
What changed
The Commission has formally launched a public consultation on the European Ocean Act, a key legislative proposal under the European Ocean Pact. The consultation runs until 16 July 2026 and seeks structured questionnaire responses from stakeholders including public authorities, maritime experts, coastal communities, and citizens. The Act aims to serve as a single reference point for all EU ocean-related targets, streamline governance by reducing bureaucracy and reporting, and modernise maritime spatial planning across EU sea basins. It will also create a legal basis for the European OceanEye ocean observation initiative and align with the revised Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Organisations active in the EU blue economy—including fisheries, maritime transport, offshore energy, marine research, and coastal tourism—should consider submitting responses to shape the Act's scope and reporting requirements. Maritime spatial planning authorities at national level should monitor the Act's provisions for coordination improvements across sectors. The legislative proposal is expected to be formally adopted by the Commission by the end of 2026, following the close of this consultation period.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Sunset view of the city of Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain. ©StockPhotoAstur/stock.adobe.com
Today, the Commission launched a public consultation to help shape the European Ocean Act, a key legislative proposal under the European Ocean Pact, set for adoption in 2026. The Ocean Act aims to strengthen ocean governance in the EU, serving as a single reference point for all economic, climate, environmental, and social targets to protect and sustainably use ocean resources.
Running until 16 July 2026, the consultation invites stakeholders, public authorities and administrations, experts, citizens, and coastal communities to share their views via a structured questionnaire. This consultation aims to ensure the future Ocean Act meets real-world needs.
This follows an earlier call for evidence in January.
Key objectives of the European Ocean Act
More concretely, the European Ocean Act will:
- Support the six priorities of the European Ocean Pact (including ocean health, competitiveness of the EU sustainable blue economy, support to coastal communities, knowledge and research, maritime security and defence, international ocean governance)
- Streamline EU Ocean Governance, reducing bureaucracy, reducing reporting, and making EU rules more efficient
- Bring the EU ocean-related targets under one roof for clearer identification.
- Modernise maritime spatial planning, reinforcing a sea-basin approach and improving coordination across sectors at national level.
- Create **** a legal basis for the governance of the OceanEye, the European ocean observation initiative.
- Align with the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to enhance policy coherence and better integrate environmental objectives in maritime spatial planning.
Next steps
The Commission plans to adopt the legislative proposal by the end of 2026, as outlined in the Commission Work Programme 2026.
In developing the act, the Commission is seeking synergies between the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
More information
Public consultation on the European Ocean Act
Maritime Spatial Planning Directive
Details
Publication date 23 April 2026 Author Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Share this page
Named provisions
Mentioned entities
Related changes
Get daily alerts for EU DG JUST
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from EC.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when EU DG JUST publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.