SAR

Title: Seas At Risk ASBL

Summary: Seas At Risk (SAR) is an umbrella organisation of environmental NGOs from across Europe that promotes ambitious policies for marine protection. SAR has 28 member organisations in 15 countries. It draws the attention of policymakers to sea related issues by participating in governance processes at international level (e.g. International Maritime Organisation), EU level (working with the European Institutions) and regional level (e.g. OSPAR Convention, the regional fisheries advisory councils).

SAR’s work programme focuses on a need to adapt to the rapidly developing blue economy and to change the policy landscape. It is seeking to improve its capacity to campaign for better policies and their implementation. It wants to see improved integration of environmental and blue growth policies under the EU integrated maritime policy.

The NGO also wants to consolidate its work on improving the implementation of key EU policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Common Fisheries Policy, while stepping up efforts to ensure the implementation of the marine Natura 2000 network. The focus will also be on ensuring policies that address land-sea linkages, since the solutions to problems at sea often lie on land. For example, marine litter is caused by unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and SAR is thus promoting a transition to a circular economy.

Another focus area is international ocean governance, especially deep-sea mining and deep-sea fisheries. Furthermore, the NGO is continuing to call for strong targets and effective policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. To ensure that maritime policies are improved, the NGO will also strengthen its knowledge base in order to guarantee science-based and precautionary policymaking. Finally, SAR wants to deepen stakeholder involvement at every level, both through its membership and by working with other international and regional NGOs.

For more information, please visit EurOcean Knowledge Gate.