The environmental organisation, Oceana is urging the Cypriot government to use the first half of 2026 to set a clear and ambitious course for ocean recovery and one that will reinforce Europe’s food security, support coastal economies, and build resilience to climate change.

The call comes as Cyprus takes up the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, placing the Mediterranean island at the helm of a pivotal moment for Europe’s seas.

Oceana has underscored that in this new role, the coming months will be decisive. The European Commission is due to conclude its evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), recognised as a cornerstone of EU marine governance that has underpinned years of gradual stock recovery. Findings in this regard will determine whether the legislation is revised – a move that could either strengthen protection for marine ecosystems or risk unravelling the hard-won gains.

At the same time, the EU is preparing a new Ocean Act, a long-term fisheries vision to 2040, and further measures to combat illegal fishing and meet international conservation targets. From Oceana’s perspective, Cyprus is uniquely positioned to shape the direction of this agenda.

Vera Coelho, Oceana’s Executive Director and Vice President in Europe, said: “Cyprus is on the frontline of the devastation caused by climate change and by the depletion of fish stocks in the Mediterranean. As an island nation and the home country of the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, Cyprus has the opportunity and the responsibility to set the tone for the next decade of ocean policy.

“It is crucial that this Presidency safeguards the benefits of ocean recovery, achieved after decades of hard work, and now threatened by the so-called ‘simplification’ agenda of industrial lobbies.”

Oceana is calling on the Cypriot Presidency to lead Council negotiations towards a more coherent and enforceable framework for ocean protection. Its recommendations include ensuring that the forthcoming EU Ocean Act aligns all marine policies around shared goals, accelerating the transition to low-impact fishing, rebuilding fish populations, and strengthening action against illegal fishing.

The organisation also wants destructive fishing banned in marine protected areas and in deep Mediterranean waters, and is pushing for reforms to EU seafood market rules so that consumers receive clearer information about what they are buying.

It’s anticipated that together, these measures could help restore ocean health while supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities across Europe.

The political landscape, however, is increasingly fraught. Cyprus assumes the presidency as powerful industrial interests lobby to weaken, delay, or roll back environmental and fisheries regulations. The NGO has also warned that this push for ‘simplification’ risks creating regulatory uncertainty at a time when Europe faces growing geopolitical and climate-related pressures.

According to the organisation, rolling back rules designed to rebuild fish stocks and protect marine ecosystems ‘would undermine the very foundations of the EU’s blue economy, leaving coastal communities more vulnerable and increasing Europe’s dependence on imported seafood.’

A recent report in the UK, led by the University of East Anglia indicates that while British waters have a healthy population of local species, including sprat, sardines, and anchovies, more than 80% of the seafood eaten in the country is imported. By switching to locally-caught fish, the study suggests Britain could improve national health and provide domestic, coastal economies with the boost they need.

For Cyprus meanwhile, the stakes are particularly high. The eastern Mediterranean is among the fastest-warming marine regions in the world, with declining fish stocks and rising numbers of invasive species already reshaping local ecosystems. For Oceana, this makes Cyprus’s leadership role all the more significant.

With its presidency of the Council of the EU, the island now has an opportunity to guide Europe towards a future of ocean recovery – one that safeguards biodiversity, strengthens food security, and supports the millions of people who depend on healthy seas.

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