The European Commission launched a public consultation and Call for Evidence on the upcoming revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This initiative seeks input from stakeholders and the public to strengthen marine protection, simplify implementation, and reduce administrative burden.
The MSFD, in place since 2008, set an ambitious goal: achieving good environmental status in EU marine waters by 2020. While it has improved cooperation, data collection, and biodiversity protection, the evaluation published earlier this year shows that marine biodiversity continues to decline and pollution still harms marine life. More action is needed.
The revision aims to enhance protection of the marine environment, simplify regulatory processes and improve data management and reduce administrative burden.
This update will align with the Water Resilience Strategy and contribute to the European Ocean Pact, supporting sustainable ocean governance and the blue economy. It will also be coordinated with the upcoming European Ocean Act, for which a separate consultation is planned in early 2026.
All stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the online consultation using the Have Your Say portal. The feedback period is open until 9 March 2026.
A call for evidence for MSPD review/Ocean Act will come in January 2026, followed later by public consultation.