Horizon Scanner ICE: June 2025 - Environment & Planning

EU

EU ratifies Treaty of the High Seas to protect the ocean

The treaty aims to bring coherence across all EU policy areas linked to the oceans, boosting fisheries and aquaculture and ensuring good governance and sustainability. The EU is calling on parties who have not ratified the agreement to do so. The Irish Times has reported that the Taoiseach is asking relevant Ministers to short-circuit the ratification of the treaty. The treaty will enter into force after it has been ratified by 60 countries.

European Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement on revisions to the European Maritime Safety Agency's mandate

The European Maritime Safety Agency is tasked, among other things, with assisting the Commission and Member States to counter and handle pollution incidents at sea, protect the maritime environment, conduct maritime surveillance and provide digital services. A provisional agreement has been reached between the Council and the Parliament to