The European Commission and Chinese authorities have started to define joint efforts to implement an Ocean Partnership, setting the agenda between the two trading blocks for a blue economy, cooperation on sustainable fisheries and area-based management tools.
More than 150 European and Chinese stakeholders met last week to outline how to work together towards better international ocean governance.
During the meeting, the stakeholders agreed to increase direct investments in sustainable oceans sectors and ecosystem restoration.
They also agreed on implementing an existing legal framework for fisheries through increased transparency, and fighting illegal fishing.
The two parties will also work on strengthening the planning of marine protected areas. EU stakeholders requested two marine protected areas in the southern ocean.
The European Union and China have a long-standing relationship when it comes to ocean affairs. The two strengthened their bilateral cooperation in 2018 by signing a Blue Partnership for the oceans.
