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In 2019, over 100 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) signed the Blue Manifesto, a roadmap for policy makers and legislators on the choices that will need to be made to strengthen and improve the existing European Union (EU) marine policy framework.
Where other policy papers provide recommendations and suggestions, the Blue Manifesto gives an operational timeline of the concrete steps that need to be taken now and in the coming years if Europe's seas are to thrive. Each year has specific milestones aligned to EU and international policy and legislation. Following these will ensure that Europe is on a path to a sustainable future, with flourishing healthy seas in 2030.
The milestones are designed to be scored, allowing progress to be assessed each year. Where possible they are linked to existing or scheduled policy and legislative processes.
This 2020 progress assessment found that most milestones had not been fully met, although a majority were on track to be partially achieved. Again in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed almost all EU files, with many processes experiencing further delays.
This second assessment reviews progress towards achieving the milestones for 2021 and updates the milestones for 2020. Of the eight milestones for 2021, only one is assessed as fully met, while two are on track to at least partly deliver on their targets.