One year after the United Nations Ocean Conference wrapped up in Nice, France has rolled out new initiatives to safeguard seabed ecosystems. The French government made two major announcements on Monday, June 8: the creation of additional marine protected zones and the launch of a dedicated action plan targeting marine plastic pollution.
New Marine Conservation Measures Unveiled on June 8
One year after the United Nations Ocean Conference wrapped up in Nice, France has rolled out new initiatives to safeguard seabed ecosystems. The French government made two major announcements on Monday, June 8: the creation of additional marine protected zones and the launch of a dedicated action plan targeting marine plastic pollution.
Monique Barbut, Minister of Ecological Transition, delivered the announcement alongside Catherine Chabaud, Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fisheries. “I am delighted to unveil three new strictly protected marine areas today,” Barbut stated.
The three newly designated high-protection zones cover distinct French maritime territories:
- The Bay of Audierne in Finistère, mainland France
- Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean
- Southern French waters and the French Antarctic Territories
Rise in Strictly Protected Maritime Waters
With these new additions, 14.68% of France’s maritime territory now falls under the “strict protection” classification. This stringent designation imposes full bans or heavy restrictions on extractive fishing, seabed mining, tourism development and other disruptive human activities to preserve fragile underwater habitats.
Broader Ocean Governance Agenda
Alongside expanding protected marine zones, the national plastic waste response plan forms a core part of France’s long-term marine conservation roadmap. The dual set of policies advances commitments France made during the UN Ocean Conference held in Nice the previous year, focusing on biodiversity preservation and the mitigation of ocean plastic contamination across all its coastal and overseas waters.
