Oceana

Oceana is the world’s largest international advocacy organisation dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Through science, law, policy advocacy, grassroots mobilisation and strategic communications, Oceana works to protect and restore marine ecosystems by securing lasting policy change in countries around the world.

Despite growing recognition of the importance of healthy oceans, many marine ecosystems continue to face significant pressures from overfishing and destructive fishing practices. In the UK, only a small proportion of Marine Protected Areas are fully protected from bottom trawling, while most seabed habitats are classified as being in poor ecological condition. Across Europe, concerns also remain about the long-term sustainability of fisheries and the recovery of depleted fish stocks. 

ERF’s grant will support Oceana’s work to strengthen protections for marine ecosystems in the UK and Europe. This includes campaigning to restrict industrial bottom trawling in UK Marine Protected Areas, defending the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy from political and legal weakening, and advancing efforts to recover fish stocks in the Western Mediterranean through stronger fisheries management and ocean governance.