A new report recently published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that, despite some improvements, the way we use our seas remains unsustainable and threatens not only the productivity of our seas, but also our wellbeing.

The EEA’s ‘State of Europe’s seas’ report examines whether the EU is meeting its policy goals for the quality of the marine environment. Some of the key findings in the report include:

• Climate change is already affecting Europe’s marine ecosystems.
• Hazardous substances are widespread in the marine environment. They can accumulate through the marine food chain and pose health risks to humans.
• Marine litter, mainly in the form of plastic, is also accumulating in Europe’s seas. Most of the litter comes from land-based activities. Micro-plastics can enter the food web.
• Underwater noise from human activities (shipping, renewable energy, oil and gas extraction, etc.) is increasing and can have a wide range of impacts on marine life.

The full report can be viewed here.