Pro Bono to Protect Greece’s Seas
We matched the Blue Marine Foundation with the global law firm Reed Smith to help navigate the complex legal framework governing EU aquaculture funding in Greece. Together, they examined how the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is implemented, the environmental safeguards built into the funding framework, and the avenues available for civil society organisations to engage with EU institutions on matters of implementation and compliance.
The Challenge of Sustainable Aquaculture in Greece
The EMFAF has allocated €365 million to support Greece’s national aquaculture programme, which aims to significantly expand the sector over the coming years. As aquaculture continues to grow, balancing economic development with environmental protection has become an increasingly important policy challenge.
Environmental organisations, including the Blue Marine Foundation, have raised questions about the long-term sustainability of aspects of the current model. The Greek aquaculture industry is dominated by a relatively small number of large operators and relies on fish protein sourced primarily from West Africa, with feed conversion rates of approximately 1.2kg of feed for every 1kg of farmed fish. The Mediterranean’s limited tidal movement can make waste management more challenging than in other regions, while concerns have also been raised regarding antibiotic use, the management of inactive aquaculture sites, and the potential impacts of new developments on local fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities.
Against this backdrop, the Blue Marine Foundation sought specialist legal advice to better understand the governance of EMFAF funding, the environmental and regulatory safeguards that apply, and the institutional processes available for engaging constructively with Greek and EU authorities.
The Blue Marine Foundation’s Mission
The Blue Marine Foundation (BMF) is a London-based conservation charity with a clear mission: to halt and reverse the decline of the world’s oceans. Seas and oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet many marine species are disappearing before we have even had the chance to identify them. BMF works to protect marine environments and support the communities that depend on healthy and sustainable oceans.
As part of its work on marine conservation in Greece, BMF sought to better understand the legal and regulatory framework governing aquaculture funding under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Specifically, the organisation wanted to understand how EMFAF funds are administered, the oversight mechanisms that apply before funding is disbursed, and the avenues available for civil society organisations to engage with EU institutions on matters relating to implementation and compliance. Addressing these questions required specialist knowledge of both EU and Greek law, making pro bono legal support invaluable.
Enter Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global law firm with a strong reputation in EU regulatory and environmental law. The collaboration was managed by the firm’s Athens office, with Partner Dimitris Assimakis and Associate Georgia Koui preparing the legal research on the Greek law aspects of the matter. To provide a fully integrated cross-jurisdictional perspective, the Athens team worked closely with Reed Smith’s Brussels office, where Partner Christian Filippitsch and Associate Michalis Papachristodoulou advised on the relevant EU law aspects. Together, the teams delivered a comprehensive legal research memorandum addressing both the Greek and EU dimensions of BMF’s enquiries.
What the Legal Research Covered
Reed Smith’s advice addressed the key legal questions identified by BMF. The team examined the instruments through which Greece has been allocated EMFAF funding under its national programme and mapped the European Commission’s oversight processes prior to the disbursement of funds, including compliance with relevant environmental and state aid requirements.
They also analysed the safeguards built into the EMFAF framework, the legal mechanisms available where questions regarding compliance may arise, and the respective roles of EU and national institutions in monitoring implementation.
In addition, the team advised BMF on the appropriate channels for engaging with EU institutions, including the European Commission’s State aid monitoring and audit processes, enabling the organisation to better understand how concerns relating to the implementation of EU and national funding programmes may be raised within the existing legal framework.
This was not generic legal advice. Reed Smith engaged with the specific features of the Greek aquaculture sector, the governance structure of EMFAF, and the practical considerations facing a conservation organisation working across multiple jurisdictions.
The Impact
Tom Appleby, Head of Governance and Legal Affairs at the Blue Marine Foundation, described the collaboration:
“The connection Pro Publico facilitated with the law firm Reed Smith was wonderful: they offered us an integrated team of lawyers in Brussels and Athens who were able to provide us with detailed advice covering both jurisdictions. This advice has been invaluable for us and our local partners, enabling us to plan our approach to marine conservation in Greece and identify potential shortfalls in the implementation of EU law.”
The legal advice provided BMF and its local partners with a clearer understanding of the regulatory framework governing EMFAF funding and the institutional processes surrounding its implementation. It also helped inform their approach to engaging constructively with Greek and EU authorities on marine conservation, environmental governance, and the effective implementation of EU funding programmes.
Why This Matters
Access to high-quality legal advice should not be a privilege reserved for well-funded organisations. Public interest organisations working on complex regulatory and environmental issues at the EU level often require specialist legal expertise to navigate intricate legal frameworks and institutional processes.
Pro Publico exists to bridge that gap by connecting public interest organisations with law firms willing to contribute their expertise where it can have the greatest impact.
This collaboration between the BMF and Reed Smith demonstrates the value of pro bono legal support: not only in answering complex legal questions, but also in equipping organisations with the knowledge and confidence to engage constructively with regulatory frameworks, promote transparency and effective governance, and contribute to informed discussions on environmental policy and marine conservation.
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Thanks to @MichalisPapachristodoulou, @DimitrisAssimakis, @GeorgiaKoui, @Reed Smith LLP, @TomAppleby, @Blue Marine Foundation, @FrancescoZatelli @Pro Publico,
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