Following the success of Ocean Week 2020, Ocean Week 2021 presents seven days of events, discussions and activities in Brussels and beyond. The week will spotlight the increasing threats faced by marine species and habitats and offer real solutions to these issues.

The ocean makes up 70% of the world’s surface, acts as a vital carbon sink, regulates the weather, and produces half of the oxygen we breathe. However, it is exposed to a series of grave human-linked threats, such as overfishing, pollution, acidification and global warming. We need thriving biodiversity in our oceans to support life on earth, and Europe has the power to lead its protection and restoration.

The second day of Ocean Week is World Oceans Day. Seas At Risk is delighted to present a 90-minute online policy event, “Protection, Restoration, Resilience – how the EU can turn the tide for our seas“. This special event will feature expert panels discussing the difficulties faced by marine and coastal ecosystems, and the vital role of EU policy in overcoming these challenges.

Also on World Oceans Day, Seas at Risk, in cooperation with CineONU and other Brussels-based marine NGOs, will organise a virtual screening of “Silent Fish”, by Thodoris Chondrogiannos and Andreas Loukakos. The documentary examines the threat posed by overfishing to Mediterranean environmental and cultural richness. The screening will be followed by a panel debate, with speakers representing the EU institutions, the NGO sector, small-scale fisheries and international organisations.

Ocean Week 2021 is  jointly organised by Seas At Risk, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, ClientEarth, Oceana, Surfrider Foundation Europe and WWF.

All events are free but registration is required.

Posted on: 25 May 2021