OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic

Description

Protecting the marine environment and securing OSPAR’s vision of a clean, healthy, and biologically diverse North-East Atlantic that is used sustainably has never been more critical. The combined impacts of pollution, over-exploitation and climate change threaten the biodiversity and ecosystems that underpin the provision of food, jobs and enjoyment for millions of people. The only way we can achieve our vision is by working together.

That is why, since 1972, the Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention have worked to identify threats to the marine environment and to put in place programmes and measures to ensure effective collective and national action to combat them. In doing so, OSPAR has pioneered ways of monitoring and assessing the environmental status of our seas and set internationally agreed goals and commitments for participating Governments to deliver. Our proven record of success makes the OSPAR Commission a vital mechanism in helping Governments to cooperate in the region and a key partner in further efforts to improve the protection and restoration of the North-East Atlantic.