EU: The status of ‘marine protected area’ does not guarantee effective protection (ECA report)

The status of ‘marine protected area’ does not guarantee effective protection. They are often protected only on paper, and Europe is unlikely to meet its marine conservation targets for 2030, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors published on 26 October 2026.

The EU aims to protect 30% of its marine waters by 2030, with 10% strictly protected. However, auditors warned that it was still a long way from reaching these targets. According to the auditors' figures, around 14% of marine waters are classified as protected, and less than 1% are strictly protected.

“Whilst the number of marine protected areas in the EU has certainly increased, our audit shows that the real challenge lies in ensuring their effective protection,” Iliana Ivanova, the Member of the Court…