11 
 
energy41. It will also review in 2021 the data on biofuels with high indirect land -use 
change risk and establish a trajectory for their gradual phase out by 2030.   
The overall objective is to ensure that EU regulatory framework on bioenergy is in line 
with the increased ambition set out in the European Green Deal. 
2.2.6. Restoring the good environmental status of marine ecosystems  
Restored and properly protected marine ecosystems bring substantial health, social 
and economic benefits to coastal communities and the EU as a whole. The need for 
stronger action is all the more acute as marine and coastal ecosystem biodiversity loss is 
severely exacerbated by global warming42. 
Achieving good environmental status of marine ecosystems, including through strictly 
protected areas, must involve the restoration of carbon -rich ecosystems as well as 
important fish spawning and nursery areas.  Some of  today’s sea uses endanger food 
security, fishers’ livelihoods, and the fishery and seafood sectors. Marine resources 
must be harvested sustainably and there must be zero-tolerance for illegal practices. 
In this regard, the full implementation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine 
Strategy Framework Directive and the Birds and Habitats Directives is essential.  
The application of an ecosystem-based management approach under EU legislation43 will 
reduce the adverse impacts of fishing, extraction and  other human activities, especially 
on sensitive species and seabed habitats. To support this, national maritime spatial 
plans, which Member States have to deliver in 2021, should aim at covering all maritime 
sectors and activities, as well as area -based c onservation-management measures. 44 The 
Commission will also propose a new action plan to conserve fisheries resources and 
protect marine ecosystems by 2021. Where necessary, measures will be introduced to 
limit the use of fishing gear most harmful to biodiv ersity, including on the seabed. It will 
also look at how to reconcile the use of bottom -contacting fishing gear with biodiversity 
goals, given it is now the most damaging activity to the seabed. This must be done in a 
fair and just way for all. The Europe an Maritime and Fisheries Fund should also support 
the transition to more selective and less damaging fishing techniques. 
Healthy fish stocks are key to the long-term prosperity of fishermen and the health of our 
oceans and biodiversity. This makes it all the more important to maintain or reduce 
fishing mortality at or under Maximum Sustainable Yield levels. This will help achieve 
a healthy population age and size distribution for fish stocks.  
The by-catch of species threatened with extinction  must also be eliminated or reduced 
to a level that allows full recovery. This should also be the case for those in bad 
conservation status or not in good environmental status. Furthermore, the by -catch of 
other species45 must be eliminated or, where this is not possibl e, minimised so as not to 
                                                 
41  Article 29 of the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001. 
42  See for example Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2019), Special Report on the Ocean and 
the Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. 
43  The Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive  (2008/56/EC) and the 
Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (2014/89/EU). 
44  The Commission will report on the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive by 
March 2022 at the latest, including the application of ecosystem-based management. 
45  Protected by international and EU law.