2024-02-09

EDINBURGH - Europe’s marine environment faces a plethora of severe threats. What are the key species in decline, and which interest groups are lobbying against marine protection laws? This investigation looks into Europe’s interconnected marine systems, and how they can be preserved.

Oceans produce more than half the world’s oxygen, hold most of the planet's biodiversity and account for nearly half the global population’s livelihoods, providing crucial food, jobs and energy. 

But throughout Europe – and beyond – our marine environments face severe threats from overfishing, fossil fuels, dredging, fish farming, coastal urbanisation, energy infrastructure, mining activities, non-indigenous species, pollution and climate change.

To slow and attempt to reverse marine degradation, governments must make difficult decisions around adopting measures to protect our waters. However, striking the right balance will be a tough path for lawmakers to navigate. 

In order to pass legislation, governments must avoid disproportionate influence from vested interests such as industrial fishing, energy and mining companies, lobbyists and other key players opposed to marine protections.

But they must also ensure that coastal communities are included in the decision-making process, and that the jobs, food, energy and tourism provided by the surrounding waters would not be threatened by strict marine protections.

Photo: Chris Combe

Team members

Alastair Brian

Alastair Brian is a Scottish journalist and fact-checker.

 

Alastair Brian

Billy Briggs

Billy Briggs is a journalist in Scotland (UK) who focuses on public interest issues.

Billy Briggs

Angela Catlin

Angela Caitlin is a freelance photographer based in the UK.

Angela Catlin

Michele Luppi

Michele Luppi is an Italian journalist.

Michele Luppi

Sara Manisera

Sara Manisera is an independent reporter and author working in the Middle East.

Sara Manisera

Jamie Mann

Jamie Mann is an investigative journalist and a director of The Ferret. 

Jamie Mann

Petra Matijevic

Petra Matijevic is a data journalist based in the UK.

Petra Matijevic

Arianna Pagani

Arianna Pagani is an experienced journalist based in Bologna.

Daniela Sala

Daniela Sala is an Italian award-winning multimedia journalist.

Daniela Sala

Giacomo Zandonini

Giacomo Zandonini is a Rome-based freelance journalist.

Giacomo Zandonini
Media

IRPI Media

ITALY - Investigative Reporting Project Italy (IRPI) is unique as the only nonprofit publisher of investigative journalism in Italy. 

IRPI Media

The Ferret

The Ferret is an award-winning investigative journalism platform for Scotland and beyond.

The Ferret
Supported
€41,822 allocated on 28/08/2023
ID
ENV1/2023/262

ONLINE

PRINT

  • Scotland's Seas In Danger, The National, 11/02/2024, pp. 10-11

COUNTRIES

  • Italy
  • The UK

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