Use your voice to protect marine life in the EU
Use your voice to protect marine life in the EU
EU seas need your help.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is Europe’s main legislation to protect the environment at sea. Its goal is to make sure all EU marine waters are clean, healthy, and thriving by using an approach that considers the whole ecosystem. However, the EU did not meet its target of achieving “good environmental status” in her waters by 2020. One area where progress has been especially slow is reducing underwater noise pollution. But you can help.
Can I really make a difference? (Yes!)
The European Commission has officially launched a public consultation aimed at revising the rules for protecting the marine environment. The great thing is—anyone can participate (you don’t need to be an expert!) Citizens and organisations are invited to share views on the need for marine protection and/or provide input on the type of EU action required.
This welcomed step gives citizens the opportunity to contribute to maintaining this crucial regulation, while making it clearer, more practical, and more effective in protecting our seas. However, this revision risks being used to weaken the law rather than improve it. That is why we need your support to ensure that the rules protecting our seas remain strong and effective. We invite everyone to participate before the 9th of March, the closing date of the consultation: every voice counts!
Here you can read more about our recommendations for the revision of the MSFD and here is how IFAW answered.
It matters. 15 minutes of your time can help protect whale for decades – have your say!
How can I participate?
Respond to the questionnaire in four easy steps
1. Visit the EC’s website.
2. Click on “Respond to the questionnaire”.
3. Enter your sign-in details if you already have an account or select the ‘Create an account’ below the text box.
4. Fill in the questions of the questionnaire.
- Most questions are matrix questions with a limited set of answers. For your information, here is how IFAW answered.
- Several questions give you the opportunity to contribute further comments. Whatever you have to say, no matter your level of knowledge, matters. Your passion to protect marine life is what counts.
- Question 9 asks if you wish to stop there, or you would like to respond to the second part of the questionnaire, which focuses on more specific aspects: if you are not familiar with this legislation, you can answer “no” and end the questionnaire.
- If you continue after question 9, you can add elements based on your knowledge, research, and/or documents that we developed and can be found on our website. You can also upload relevant documents to your submission.
Please note: to be taken into account and not considered ‘spamming’, it is important that your opinion is written in your own words. Copying and pasting is therefore not allowed.
On behalf of all marine wildlife: THANK YOU!