CCB´s response to the Call for Evidence of the EU Oceans Pact
CCB • March 5, 2025
What is the Oceans Pact?
The Commission defines this Pact as a political initiative that aims to promote sustainable ocean management and ensure the health, resilience, and productivity of the oceans and thus the prosperity of the EU’s coastal communities. The pact was announced by President Von Der Leyen in her political guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029) and aims to bring coherence across all EU policy areas linked to oceans.
The Oceans Pact will target 3 pillars:
- Maintain a healthy, resilient, & productive ocean.
- Promote a sustainable and competitive blue economy, including fisheries & aquaculture.
- Work towards a comprehensive agenda for marine knowledge, research, innovation, & investment.
It will also look at:
- how we affect the ocean
- how the ocean affects coastal communities
- the opportunities that the ocean provides us with
The Oceans Pact will be presented by the EU Commission at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.
What CCB thinks is important to include in the Oceans Pact:
For the Oceans Pact to truly benefit the Baltic Sea we need it to be ambitious and include legally binding targets benefiting the marine environment and biodiversity (e.g. goals on marine protection of 30 % by 2030 or good environmental status).
In particular, for CCB the Oceans Pact should:
- be built on legally binding targets to protect, restore and conserve our Oceans.
- outline coherence between different marine legislation and strategies (e.g. the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Common Fisheries Policy, Marine Action Plan, the Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Regulation, the Water Framework Directive, Renewable Energy Directive, Habitats and Birds Directive and the Natura 2000-network, the Marine Spatial Planning Directive and pressures on the marine environment, such as shipping and Carbon Capture and Storage or commercial and recreational fishing).
- address the large pressure of the Baltic Sea marine environment from land and agriculture.
- bring cooperation to decision-making and management and emphasize the full implementation of existing legislation.
- support the implementation of a just transformation towards a ‘regenerative blue economy’ to the benefit of coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
- create a new Ocean Fund that aligns with the existing legislation to replace the current EMFAF. The Ocean Fund would be used to fund 1) ocean conservation & restoration, and 2) a just transition to a regenerative blue economy. In this context, misuse and/or counterproductive use of funds needs to end, which includes the abolishment of harmful subsidies e.g. fuel for fishing vessels. Instead, a CO2 tax should be implemented on fuel for vessels fishing with harmful mobile bottom-contacting gear.
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EXTRA RESOURCES
CCB signed and published documents with further recommendations:
- The Blue Manifesto, co-signed with over 140 other NGOs. It includes a roadmap with clear targets for the marine environment.
- CCB position papers pushing for actions towards the 30x10 target by 2030: the MPA and the OECMs papers (published in 2024).
3 October 2025 - Coalition Clean Baltic, together with its Member Organization BUND - Friends of the Earth Germany and the citizens’ initiative “ Lebensraum Vorpommern ”, have launched a petition to stop new oil and gas drilling projects in the Baltic Sea . The petition comes in response to plans to exploit a deposit just 6 km offshore Świnoujście , Poland, in the transboundary waters of the Oder Estuary and Pomeranian Bay. The planned site lies at the heart of NATURA 2000 protected areas , which are vital for biodiversity, climate action, and local communities. Oil and gas extraction in the Baltic Sea poses severe threats to its fragile ecosystems. Industrial activities such as drilling, pipeline construction, and ship traffic risk polluting the water with chemicals, oil leaks, and toxic waste. Underwater noise from pile driving and increased traffic would further degrade marine habitats. These pressures add to the already critical challenges faced by the Baltic Sea, including biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. The consequences extend far beyond nature. Local communities rely on a clean and healthy Baltic for tourism, fishing, and quality of life. Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure would also undermine Europe’s climate commitments and lock in carbon emissions for decades to come. The petition calls on the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), the European Commission, and the Secretariat of the Espoo Convention to : Stop the plans for oil and gas extraction in the Oder Estuary and the Pomeranian Bay; Ban any new oil and gas extraction across the Baltic Sea; Ensure strong cross-border cooperation and communication amongst all involved states. The petition is open through the WeMove Europe´s platform and can be signed here .
Job Title: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy Position type : Full-time consultancy contract. Open to part-time arrangements initially if needed. Contract duration: Short-term contract until end of March 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability Reports to: Steering Committee Location : Flexible(remote/home office) with regular travel. Working in Brussels is of advantage. Starting date : ASAP In close cooperation with the Steering Group of the coalition, lead, plan, coordinate, and support the campaign of an NGO network working together towards the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the evaluation thereof. The campaign manager's responsibility is to develop and ensure the successful and timely delivery of political advocacy and public engagement activities of the campaign, both at EU and Member State level. Job description Strategy & Planning Develop and implement short-, and long-term campaign strategies aligned with coalition objectives, in close cooperation with the Steering Group. Set clear goals, timelines, and performance indicators for the campaign and ensure timely delivery thereof. Analyse policy development, political climate, media and public opinion, and stakeholder landscapes to inform tactics. Campaign Delivery Manage day-to-day execution of the campaign activities at Brussels and Member State level. Coordinate coalition partners and ensure communication between Steering Group and coalition members, as well as relevant groups/coalitions/experts and other stakeholders outside the coalition. Advise coalition members on strategic delivery of advocacy activities at all levels, including Member State level. Join Steering Group meetings in an advisory capacity. Report back to the Steering Group on the delivery of the campaign's activities, meeting of targets and milestones, and report back on activities, budget and impact. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, key stakeholders, and allies to support campaign aims. Analyse opportunities of engagement, advise on policy language. Organise/coordinate/prepare and support relevant activities, including events, briefings, and advocacy activities in close cooperation with coalition members. Ensure relevant knowledge management and information flow within the coalition and across partner organisations. Liaise with communication experts on message framing, strategy and timelines. Management Support CCB administrative and finance staff managing grants to coalition partners. Ensure coalition partners receive information and materials that enable them to effectively contribute to achieving campaign goals (political information, policy briefings, templates, policy language, opportunity analyses). Support fundraising efforts as needed/requested by the Steering Group. Lead on funders narrative reporting. Qualifications & Skills required The consultant must be legally authorised to provide services and work as a consultant within the EU, based in an EU Member State. Fisheries and ocean expertise (preferred), or other environmental background. Degree (or equivalent experience) in communications/campaign management, political science, resource management, fisheries, or related field. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful advocacy or public campaigns at EU or Member State levels involving a larger coalition. Strong understanding of political processes at EU level and Member State levels, media landscapes, and public engagement. Excellent project management and organisational skills. Skilled communicator and coordinator, able to craft persuasive messages and engage a larger network into a common goal within tight deadlines. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Fluency in English is required; additional EU languages are a plus. Application Should you be interested in applying for this assignment, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 9 October 2025 , COB, to secretariat@ccb.se Please include your consultancy rate in your application inclusive VAT (if applicable). Applications should be submitted in English. Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will not be considered . Any inquiries related to this assignment should be forwarded to the above email or to CCB Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793. In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation. .