Protecting the Oceans Through Law: Safeguarding the EU Common Fisheries Policy
The EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is a cornerstone of European ocean governance. It ensures that fishing in EU waters and beyond remains sustainable, protects marine biodiversity, and supports the livelihoods of coastal communities. Yet, under mounting pressure from certain industry interests, several Member States have recently pushed to re-open the Basic Regulation (1380/2013) – a move that could weaken hard-won environmental safeguards and divert attention away from enforcement.
To help counter this risk, we matched the global environmental law organisation ClientEarth with a leading international law firm to strengthen the legal arguments for keeping the CFP intact.
ClientEarth: Using the Law to Protect Life on Earth
ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to tackle climate change, protect nature and stop pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. ClientEarth teams in Europe and around the world work to shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.
For over a decade, their marine team has been at the forefront of ensuring that the Common Fisheries Policy is implemented in line with scientific advice. They have led key initiatives – from legal actions on bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas to enforcing catch limits and fisheries controls in EU Member States.
However, to respond effectively to political efforts to re-open the CFP, ClientEarth needed specialised EU legislative analysis.
Pro Bono Expertise for Ocean Governance
A dedicated team of lawyers provided targeted legal research and strategic advice, offering in-depth analysis of the EU legislative process and institutional dynamics within the Commission. Their work focused on identifying legal and procedural arguments that reinforce the case for retaining and enforcing the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy that support environmental goals and maintaining strong conservation standards.
A Fruitful Collaboration
This partnership delivered the legal clarity ClientEarth needed and demonstrated the impact of strategic pro bono in advancing environmental governance at the EU level. We are delighted that our matchmaking was instrumental in setting up this collaboration, connecting a civil society organisation with a global law firm whose expertise complemented ClientEarth’s environmental and legal knowledge.
Protecting Biodiversity and Climate Through the Rule of Law
A healthy ocean is vital for biodiversity, food security, and climate regulation. By supporting ClientEarth’s efforts to defend the EU Common Fisheries Policy, this collaboration helped ensure that EU decision-making remains guided by science rather than political expediency.
As noted by Senior Legal Expert Bellinda Bartolucci – who works with the Marine Ecosystem Team at ClientEarth: “This has been a valuable collaboration. The team provided great research, and the exchange was both fruitful and uncomplicated. It has been a genuine pleasure working with you.”
This collaboration stands as a model for how pro bono partnerships can elevate environmental law and policy, safeguarding the planet for generations to come.
At Pro Publico, we believe that access to legal and public affairs expertise should serve the public good: if your organisation is working to protect the environment, democracy, or social justice, we can help connect you with top professionals ready to assist pro bono publico.
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Thanks to @BellindaBartolucci @AdamWeiss @ArthurMeeus @JohnCondon @JulietStote @ClientEarth @FrancescoZatelli @ProPublico
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