Water, Marine & Fisheries

Our Work

IEEP has a long track record of examining the challenges in the implementation of water, marine and fisheries legislation, primarily the Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Common Fisheries Policy.

Our fisheries and marine work has a track record of analysing and commenting on the evolution of EU fisheries policies and related marine environmental initiatives for over 16 years. We have undertaken a number of projects and studies on specific areas such as fisheries governance, management and subsidies; policies and instruments to tackle marine litter pollution; and establishing, implementing and funding marine protected areas.

IEEP undertakes a wide range of work on EU water policy, focusing on the Water Framework Directive, but also on the many ‘supporting’ Directives. Our work includes highly influential projects for the Commission, such as supporting development of the Water Blueprint, Fitness Check and supporting the Common Implementation Strategy.  

Regarding work in this area, please contact Stephanie Newman.

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Water, Marine & Fisheries

  • New report: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands

    This new IEEP-led report presents insights on the importance of wetlands in delivering ecosystem services that are needed to support human life, and also for people’s livelihoods and the world’s economies. The report shows that demonstrating and using the values of ecosystem services related to water and wetlands can lead to better informed, more cost-effective, and fairer decision- making.

  • The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands

    This new IEEP-led report presents insights on the importance of wetlands in delivering ecosystem services that are needed to support human life, and also for people’s livelihoods and the world’s economies. The report shows that demonstrating and using the values of ecosystem services related to water and wetlands can lead to better informed, more cost-effective, and fairer decision- making.

  • The EU Water Blueprint: Assessing the policy options

    The Water Blueprint proposes action to address 12 key problems for Europe’s waters. An IEEP led study found that improved guidance, information system, data exchange and funding were the best instruments to address many of these problems, with limited scope for new law.

  • Commission unveils the Water Blueprint

    The Water Blueprint proposes action to address 12 key problems for Europe’s waters. An IEEP led study found that improved guidance, information system, data exchange and funding were the best instruments to address many of these problems, with limited scope for new law.

  • New report: Nature and its role in the transition to a Green Economy

    This new IEEP-authored report highlighting the importance of nature to the economy aims to clarify and help mainstream nature’s role in the transition to a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

  • Refreshing Europe's water policy

    The latest edition of IEEP's newsletter is now available with a lead article on efforts to reinvigorate EU water policy. Plus CAP reform, nature in the Green Economy, using straw for biofuels, emissions trading revenues ...

  • After Rio, it’s up to us to shape the Future We Want

    Despite some new commitments on Green Economy, oceans, and Sustainable Development Goals, progress on much of the Rio agenda will depend on actions taken by individual countries, blocs (like the EU), companies and civil society networks.

  • Recognising the value of water and wetlands

    New TEEB study announced at Rio+20 to highlight how conservation and restoration of wetlands can benefit biodiversity and provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions in the context of a Green Economy.

  • Evidence to the House of Lords Inquiry into EU Freshwater Policy

    IEEP’s evidence to the House of Lords EU Committee explores the future of EU water policy and the challenges it faces

  • Water Scarcity Briefings

    Water scarcity is a major threat to Europe’s waters. Three briefings have been produced summarizing research on this issue and setting out the European policy context.

  • Fitness Check of EU water policy – stakeholder views

    IEEP provided support to the Commission’s development of the Fitness Check through the organisation of an online public consultation and a stakeholder workshop. The results of these two activities can be downloaded here.

  • The new OECD environmental Outlook – an alarm signal that comes at the right moment

    “Urgent action is needed now to avoid significant costs of inaction, both in economic and human terms”. The OECD provides a clear message in its recent Environment Outlook to 2050: Act now – or face major and potentially disastrous consequences.

  • Green Infrastructure Implementation and Efficiency

    This IEEP-led study for the European Commission (DG ENV) improves the knowledge base on green infrastructure policy initiatives in Europe and assesses their implementation and efficiency. It also formulates policy recommendations for integrating green infrastructure into the EU policy framework.

  • The Ecosystem Approach in Marine Management

    The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires Member States to apply an “ecosystem approach to marine management”. This report defines the ecosystem approach and puts it into context by describing the challenges of applying it across Europe’s seas.

  • Winter Newsletter published

    The latest edition of IEEP's newsletter is now available with articles on the new EU Treaty, the impacts of biofuels on biodiversity, benefits of Natura 2000, and much more...

  • El Anzuelo Volume 24

    European newsletter on fisheries and the environment.This issue: CFP reform with a special focus on Transferable Fishing ConcessionsThis edition features an editorial by Janez Potočnik, ...

  • Linking the Water Framework Directive and the IPPC Directive: Phase 2

    Integrating pollution control into river basin management is a major challenge. A report for IMPEL explores how Member States address this.

  • Independent review of the EU Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Regulations

    This review highlights the potential of the EU IUU Regulation to deter illegal fishing and the challenges during the first 18 months of implementation.

  • New Analysis by IEEP Points to Flaws in IUU Regulation

    Eighteen months since the EU IUU Regulations entered into force, essential tools to combat illegal fishing remain unimplemented and there are indications that illegally caught fisheries products continue to enter the EU market.

  • Perspectives for the new European Fisheries Fund

    Independent evaluation of the EFF, highlighting challenges of implementation faced by Member States and the sector, and providing evidence-based proposals for a future fisheries fund.