Climate & environment › Water & oceans

Latest decisions

1. The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea, calling for urgent action to address the sea's critical state and proposing changes to fisheries management. The resolution sets out immediate actions within current rules, steps to improve scientific advice, and a new management approach requiring legal changes to the Baltic MAP. Parliament's position is that the existing plan has failed to restore fish stocks and that a reset of the ecosystem is needed, with a focus on low-impact fishing for human consumption.

   Agriculture, food & fisheriesClimate & environment

   21 May 2026 · Resolutions · report by Isabella Lövin · 54 ballots · voted 13:38 · A-10-2026-0121 · 2024/2127

   Adopted 337–178–44 · by a clear majority
2. The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins

   Parliament adopted a resolution on how the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive affects fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins. The text finds uneven implementation, limited benefits for fisheries, and calls for better stakeholder engagement, data, and cross-border cooperation. MEPs ask the Commission to revise the directive through the forthcoming Ocean Act and to set binding targets.

   Climate & environmentAgriculture, food & fisheries

   20 May 2026 · Resolutions · report by Stéphanie Yon-Courtin · 8 ballots · voted 13:24 · A-10-2026-0120 · 2024/2126

   Adopted 518–31–102 · by a large majority
3. Surface water and groundwater pollutants

   The draft law updates EU water rules by amending directives on water policy, groundwater protection, and environmental quality standards. Parliament approved the Council's position, meaning the act is adopted and will be signed and published in the Official Journal.

   Climate & environment

   26 Mar 2026 · New laws · committee report · 2nd reading · A-10-2026-0063 · 2022/0344

   no count published
4. Fisheries management approaches for safeguarding sensitive species, tackling invasive species and benefiting local economies

   Parliament adopted a resolution on fisheries management approaches for safeguarding sensitive species, tackling invasive alien species, and benefiting local economies. The text urges the Commission and member states to prioritise conservation of sensitive species through robust fisheries management and full implementation of marine protected area goals. It calls for improved monitoring and harmonised indicators for marine invasive alien species, and for financial support for protection and early warning systems.

   Agriculture, food & fisheriesClimate & environment

   10 Mar 2026 · Resolutions · report by André Franqueira Rodrigues · 10 ballots · voted 14:11 · A-10-2026-0018 · 2025/2011

   Adopted 528–21–62 · by an overwhelming majority
5. Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

   Parliament adopted its position on a proposed EU law to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction. The law would implement an international agreement protecting high seas ecosystems, which cover nearly two thirds of the world's oceans. Parliament's position includes amendments to align the text closely with that agreement, covering environmental assessments and area-based management tools. The Council and Commission will now consider Parliament's position before the law can be finalised.

   Climate & environmentForeign affairs

   13 Nov 2025 · New laws · report by Michal Wiezik · 1st reading · 2 ballots · voted 11:06 · A-10-2025-0205 · 2025/0090

   Adopted 454–172–19 · by a large majority
6. The European Water Resilience Strategy

   Parliament adopted a resolution outlining its position on the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy, which aims to enhance water resilience and ensure sustainable water management across the EU. The resolution calls for a comprehensive legislative framework covering water efficiency, pollution mitigation, climate adaptation, funding, digitalisation, and cross-border cooperation. It urges binding sectoral targets for water use, stricter enforcement of pollution rules, and the establishment of EU-wide quality standards for PFAS in water. Parliament also asks the Commission to create a dedicated funding line for water resilience in the next EU budget and to promote nature-based solutions and digital tools.

   Climate & environment

   7 May 2025 · Resolutions · report by Thomas Bajada · 33 ballots · voted 14:16 · A-10-2025-0073 · 2024/2104

   Adopted 470–81–92 · by a large majority

7. Objection under Rule 114(3) · delegated act

   Measures to reduce incidental catches of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay

   The Commission's delegated regulation sets measures to reduce accidental catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay. Parliament rejected the objection, so the regulation will now apply. The resolution had asked the Commission to withdraw the regulation.

   Agriculture, food & fisheriesClimate & environment

   27 Nov 2024 · Objections · motion for a resolution · voted 12:27 · B-10-2024-0178 · 2024/2842

   Rejected 123–511–42 · by a large majority

Dossiers involved · latest vote first

1. 2024/2127 The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward 21 May 2026 · 1 vote
2. 2024/2126 The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins 20 May 2026 · 1 vote
3. 2022/0344 Surface water and groundwater pollutants 26 Mar 2026 · 1 vote
4. 2025/2011 Fisheries management approaches for safeguarding sensitive species, tackling invasive species and benefiting local economies 10 Mar 2026 · 1 vote
5. 2025/0090 Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction 13 Nov 2025 · 1 vote
6. 2024/2104 The European Water Resilience Strategy 7 May 2025 · 1 vote
7. 2024/2842 Measures to reduce incidental catches of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay 27 Nov 2024 · 1 vote

Who backs what

How each group's majority voted on the 6 most recent final roll calls about water & oceans. A group is "split" when no position won among its members.

The latest final votes, group by group