Be part of European Maritime Day In My Country 2026 – a Europe‑wide initiative celebrating our oceans and seas and promoting sustainable blue economy practices.

From 1 April to 31 October 2026, communities across Europe and beyond will host events that raise awareness about the importance of maritime activities – from coastal tourism and fishing to offshore renewable energy and ocean literacy.

Why Participate?

• Showcase your actions and ideas for ocean sustainability
• Engage with the public, especially young people, on maritime issues
• Receive a communication package to help them disseminate your event(s), as well as a certificate of participation from the European Commission
• Join a Europe‑wide campaign for ocean conservation

What Kind of Events?

Anything with the sea as the central theme!

• Conferences, workshops, and seminars
• Beach clean‑ups, eco‑tours, and guided port visits
• Exhibitions, art contests, and cultural performances
• Sailing lessons, marine camps, and educational projects

Events can be on‑site, virtual, or hybrid.

Who Can Organize?

Everyone! From schools and universities to NGOs, businesses, public bodies, and citizens – if you care about the ocean, you can host an event.

Important Details

• Event period: 1 April – 31 October 2026
• Application deadline: 10 March 2026
• Financial support: Not provided, but you’ll receive branded materials, including sustainable cotton bags and a European flag.

How to Register

Complete the online registration form (in English) and indicate your expected number of participants to receive the right number of promotional materials.

Don’t forget to share pictures of your event – they could be featured in the DG MARE newsletter!
And this year, the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Ocean, Mr. Costas Kadis, may attend selected events. Will yours be one of them?

On 25 november 2025, 67 people gathered at the Leixões Cruise Terminal in Portugal for a session on Coastal Resilience.

This session was organised by the  Portuguese National Hub for the WestMED and the Atlantic Sea Basin Strategies, as part of the annual business2sea conference.  Business2Sea is Portugals flagship blue Economy event, bringing together global stakeholders to exchange knowledge, showcase innovation, and build partnerships for a sustainable maritime future.

The session featured a focused and constructive discussion, beginning with a keynote opening speech by the Director-General for Maritime Policy and National Coordinator for both sea basin strategies,  Marisa Lameiras da Silva. She provided clear strategic context for the session and stated: “Resilient coasts and healthy oceans are not optional political priorities. They are essential foundations for our prosperity, security and identity.”

The Pillar IV Coordinator of the Atlantic Maritime Strategy on Coastal Resilience, then moderated an insightful panel discussion, bringing together perspectives from policy, science, clusters, and regional cooperation.

Panelists exchanged practical views on shared challenges and opportunities across the Atlantic and WestMED basins, while participants, namely the Interreg Atlantic Joint Secretariat contributed with questions on governance and data coherence. Overall, the session maintained a steady and informative pace, enabling stakeholders to compare experiences and identify concrete areas for improved coordination and joint action.

The session resulted in three main takeaways:

1. The event demonstrated that coastal resilience and healthy oceans are now central priorities for European maritime policy, requiring stronger alignment between the Atlantic and WestMED Strategies under the European Ocean Pact. Participants agreed that the complexity of coastal and ocean challenges—climate pressures, ecosystem degradation, and socio-economic vulnerabilities—can only be addressed through integrated, cross-basin cooperation supported by robust scientific knowledge and coherent governance frameworks.
2. A clear consensus emerged on the need to strengthen ocean observation, data interoperability, and forecasting capacities, especially in coastal zones where information gaps remain significant. Scientific institutions, clusters, and maritime authorities highlighted the importance of interoperable monitoring systems and shared data platforms to support informed decision-making, maritime spatial planning, and early-warning mechanisms. The panel also stressed the role of clusters and coastal communities as vital connectors, ensuring that innovation, scientific insight, and policy align with real territorial needs.
3. Finally, the discussions underscored that achieving a resilient and sustainable ocean demands greater multi-level coordination, avoidance of duplicated efforts, and scaling up of successful pilot initiatives. Enhanced collaboration between the Atlantic and WestMED basins—and with neighbouring regions such as North Africa—will be essential to build a unified European maritime space. The overall conclusion was clear: cooperation is Europe’s strongest asset, and transforming shared knowledge into operational action will be decisive for safeguarding the ocean and strengthening the blue economy.

Ruben Eiras, Secretary General of Forum Oceano and representing the EU Sea Basin National Hub, concluded the session by stating: “What these viewpoints collectively demonstrate is that coastal resilience and a healthy ocean can only be achieved through coordinated, multi-actor and multi-basin action.”

Download the agenda (incl an overview of the panelists)

For more information, contact WestMED’s National Hub Portugal

The European Commission has adopted new detailed rules on fisheries control and enforcement, aiming to harmonise procedures, simplify compliance, and reduce administrative burden for EU countries and operators. These measures are designed to prevent overfishing, ensure fairness among fleets, and modernise the way fishing activities are monitored across the EU.

Key Features of the new rules:

• Digitalisation of Catch Reporting: Progressive implementation of a fully digitalised system for recording and reporting catches, providing real-time data to improve stock management and control.
• Harmonised Data Exchange: Standardised formats and transmission requirements, with lighter obligations for small-scale vessels.
• Vessel Tracking: Clear technical requirements for monitoring devices, transmission frequency, and position data, with flexibility in case of technical failures.
• Streamlined Inspections: Common templates for digital inspection reports to speed up reporting and enable easier cross-checking between Member States.
• Penalty Points System: Harmonised registration of penalty points for vessel masters to ensure a level playing field for serious infringements.
• Fishing Gear Marking: Flexible labelling requirements for vessels under 15 metres operating nearshore with passive gear.

Next Steps:
The rules – comprising a Delegated Act and an Implementing Act – were published in the Official Journal on 12 November 2025. They will apply from 10 January 2026, with transitional arrangements for certain provisions until 2028, ensuring a smooth adaptation for Member States and operators.

These changes follow extensive consultation with Member States, fishers, industry representatives, regional authorities, and NGOs, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable fisheries and fair enforcement across Europe.