EU allocates €3.5 Million for ocean protection in European and African countries, including Mozambique

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EU allocates €3.5 Million for ocean protection in European and African countries, including Mozambique

10:18 CAT | 23 Apr 2024

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Samantha Schwann]

The European Union (EU) will allocate a sum of €3.5 billion (235.4 billion meticais) to finance initiatives related to ocean protection within the scope of fisheries sustainability and the blue economy in European and African countries, including Mozambique.

According to a note released by Lusa news agency, the amount was announced Tuesday (16) during the “Our Ocean” conference held in the city of Athens, Greece.

Out of the total, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Poland, and Cyprus will receive around €1.9 billion (127.7 billion meticais), which will be divided among the respective countries for the implementation of recovery and resilience plans, as well as to support investments and reforms in the area of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture until 2026.

“Portugal and Italy will have €130 million (874.3 million meticais) available for the sustainability of blue economies,” highlighted the EU document.

Meanwhile, countries in West Africa will receive €59 million (3.9 billion meticais) in total, with Mozambique receiving €35 million (2.3 billion meticais), Angola €30 million (2 billion meticais), and Mauritania €10 million (672.5 million meticais).

The “Our Ocean” conference is an international effort launched in 2014 and organized annually by a different government, with the aim of promoting global ocean governance and actions to support marine conservation and sustainable development. It brings together countries from around the world, civil society, and industry to inspire joint solutions and present ambitious commitments to protect the oceans.

Since its inception, the initiative has mobilized over 2,160 commitments worth $130 billion (8.7 trillion meticais).

Data from the European Union indicates that the oceans and seas cover 71% of the Earth’s surface, affected by global warming, unsustainable practices, illegal fishing, pollution, and the loss of marine habitats.

Source: Diário Economico