ECA Report Highlights EU’s Failure to Combat Marine Pollution Despite Available Funds

A recent report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights the failure of EU countries to enforce regulations aimed at preventing sea pollution. Despite the availability of funds dedicated to addressing this issue, they are not being properly utilized or tracked. Seawater contamination caused by oil spills, gas emissions, chemical discharges, and waste continues to be a significant problem in European waters, undermining the EU’s goal of eliminating seawater pollution by 2030.

The ECA report blames EU countries for the lack of progress in combating marine pollution, stating that while the necessary tools and funds are in place, implementation and enforcement are lacking. Cargo vessels, cruise ships, passenger ferries, and fishing boats are identified as significant sources of marine pollution due to lax enforcement of regulations.

Furthermore, the misuse of funds allocated for combating sea pollution is highlighted in the report. The European Commission and member states are failing to effectively track the EU money designated for this purpose. Despite €216 million in EU funds being allocated to tackle ship pollution, most of it was used to improve port waste reception facilities, with limited impact on addressing ship-source pollution on a large scale.

The ECA report reveals that although the EU has adopted a legal framework to prevent sea pollution, implementation and enforcement have been weak. The European Maritime Safety Agency provides tools for satellite surveillance to detect oil spills, but EU countries are not following up on alerts effectively. Safety inspections are deemed insufficient, and penalties for illegal discharges are rare and lenient. As a result, the EU’s ambitious 2030 zero-pollution target remains out of reach, posing risks to public health, biodiversity, and fish stocks.

Source