​​​The Committee of the Regions NAT commission has today overwhelmingly adopted an opinion by Cllr Tony Buchanan on International Ocean Governance.  Cllr Buchanan highlighted the need for the  EU to be a strong global player that is able to set out an agenda for better oceans governance based on a cross-sectoral, rules-based international approach.

He has also stressed that many issues related to ocean governance are inevitably local due to resource extraction, economic benefit for coastal areas, fishing communities and ports or their environmental impact on Europe's coasts and seas.  Crucially the wellbeing, safety and prosperity of our oceans is not just a matter for international institutions or large countries but our common responsibilities of countries regions and local communities have a stake in the future of our seas.

The opinion will be now discussed at the CoR Plenary in July.