Coastal communities and fishing industry workers speak up about ocean health in Europe

Drawing on surveys across nine European countries and research with fishing industry workers, our findings show worsening perceptions of marine degradation and low confidence in government action.

Our new research highlights a gap between policy intent and lived experience. A reminder that protecting the ocean requires not just new commitments, but stronger enforcement of existing laws.

Fisherman in Spain. Credit: Xavier Arnau

What is the enforcement gap?

The ocean enforcement gap is the difference between the rules governments make to protect the ocean and what actually happens in real life. 

Our research points to a widening disconnect between Europe’s ocean policies and what people in coastal communities are experiencing in real life. 

While vital global commitments have been made, and new legislation is being introduced, many coastal communities continue to report weak enforcement of existing rules and worsening conditions. 

Coastal communities survey

Across Europe’s coastlines, people surveyed report a clear sense that marine ecosystems are deteriorating. Nearly half of Europe’s coastal community respondents said the marine environment in their area is worse than it was a decade ago.

Alongside concerns about environmental decline, there is a widespread feeling that governments are not doing enough to respond effectively. Many cite structural barriers such as under-resourcing and competing political priorities.

46%

say their local marine environment is worse than it was 10 years ago.

1 in 3

of those surveyed believe their government is not doing enough to tackle marine degradation.
Public perceptions of the local marine environment in the last decade.
Public perceptions of government action.
Our research shows that coastal communities and the fishing industry have yet to see action on commitments. This should serve as a wake-up call for governments to turn the tide and step up implementation and enforcement.
Laura Clarke, ClientEarth CEO
Public perceptions of harmful activity in coastal and marine environments.

Fishing industry survey

In an additional study with 198 fishing industry workers, we found that an overwhelming majority believe that a decline in the marine environment would impact their industry.

85%

of people working in Europe’s fishing industry believe that a decline in the marine environment would impact their industry.

71%

of people working in Europe’s fishing industry believe that illegal or environmentally harmful practices are occurring.
The fisherman is the person with the greatest interest in conserving the environment. Because it's their resource, it's their life. And if the sea is in bad shape, the fisherman won't survive. If you protect an area and don't monitor it, what you're really protecting are the rule-breakers.
Luis Rodríguez, small-scale fisherman operating in the protected area of Cabo de Gata, Spain
87% of respondents from the fishing industry agree that a decline in the state of the marine environment has caused economic harm to their sector.

Perspectives of small-scale fishers in the Mediterranean

Small-scale fishers from Cyprus, France and Spain share their experience of ocean law enforcement in the Mediterranean.

71% of respondents from the fishing industry agree that llegal or environmentally harmful practices occur in the fishing industry.

Europe highlights

France: the state of the local coastal and marine environment compared to 10 years ago.
Spain: perceptions on action taken by national justice system and police against environmental crime.
We renew our call for stronger implementation of existing laws in Europe and call on EU governments to provide clear, concrete plans for how they intend to meet their commitments to protect the ocean.
Anais Berthier, Head of ClientEarth Brussels
UK: coastal communities' perceptions on most significant factors preventing the government from taking action.
Warm words are no longer enough. The UK must now turn commitments into concrete action, including signing up to the 'Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency’ and delivering a meaningful ban on bottom trawling in UK Marine Protected Areas that truly lives up to the promises made.
Kyle Lischak, Head of UK at ClientEarth

Conclusion

We continue to remind decision-makers of their legal responsibility to protect the ocean.

In June 2025, at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), heads of state and governments from around the world made new pledges to protect marine areas, safeguard the High Seas, tackle plastic pollution, and support a moratorium on deep-sea mining.

One year on, our research shows that coastal communities and the fishing industry have yet to see action on these commitments.

This research should serve as a wake-up call for governments to step up implementation and enforcement to protect our ocean.

About the research

The coastal communities research was conducted by Focaldata between April and May 2026 among 1,804 people living within 10km of the coast in Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Türkiye and the UK. European-specific data was extrapolated from the 1,351 people in the sample from a European country.

The fishing industry worker research was conducted by Focaldata between April and May 2026 among 198 people working in the fishing industry in Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Türkiye and the UK. 

These preliminary findings reveal a stark picture of perceptions of ocean decline and limited confidence in governments to deliver on commitments. Further research, to be released later this year, will explore how legal tools can help close the ocean enforcement gap.