Matt 🌊

Don’t get cold feet watching this! 🌊 My friend Morgan Maassen (@morganmaassen) just sent me his latest effort and he has captured something fundamental about our connection with the Ocean. “Rán: A Scandinavian Surfing Saga” follows Swedish big-wave charger Freddie Meadows hunting waves from the freezing Baltic Sea, through the North Atlantic, all the way to an Arctic Circle big wave discovery. Snow storms, tiny swell windows, and then one magic morning with snow falling at their feet while they score waves that rival Tahiti and Fiji. They even brought in legends Nic Von Rupp and Andrew Cotton for the mission. As a diver and underwater filmmaker, the raw connection these guys have with the ocean in such brutal conditions is seriously inspiring. Watch the full film at youtube.com/watch?v=-gvwj3… Big props to Freddie and Morgan for pushing limits where most people wouldn’t even go.

At today’s Informal AGRIFISH meeting in Nicosia, I presented the outcomes of the evaluation of the #CFP. Though progress has been made in reducing overfishing, improving data collection, and building strategic partnerships, challenges remain. Based on this evaluation we will shape our 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture. As indicated by many Ministers, we will reflect if a targeted revision of the CFP is necessary. Thank you to Minister @riapan82 and colleagues for their engagement. #EU2026CY @CY2026EU @EU_MARE

Did you secure your spot at the European Maritime Day - the place where Ocean Leaders meet'? At #EMD2026, we will also host a workshop on sustainable tourism with challenges and solutions from our EU-funded projects. Join us⤵️ link.europa.eu/VCf6kd

On 9 May, the EU Institutions will be open to the public. 🇪🇺 This year’s #EuropeDay emphasises European independence and the protection of democracy. It also marks four decades of celebrating Europe Day and public use of the EU flag. Plan your visit: europe-day.europa.eu/index_en

Half of Mediterranean fish stocks have started to recover since 2017. But over half of assessed stocks remain overfished. Today in Nicosia, the EU and Mediterranean partners agreed to prepare a new #MedFish4Ever Declaration for 2027: link.europa.eu/v7VTW7

This morning I was in the meeting of EU Fisheries Ministers hosted by @CY2026EU @CostasKadis presented the main findings of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation evaluation Eleven years after its reform, we take stock and reflect on what has worked and what could be improved

Honoured to close the #MedFish4Ever High-Level Conference in Nicosia today. Only by standing together can we secure a thriving future for the Mediterranean, where our coastal communities prosper. Looking forward to a renewed, bold and actionable Ministerial Declaration in 2027

🎥 How can fisheries and aquaculture be more energy efficient, competitive, and cut emissions? That was the focus of the Brussels Energy Transition Partnership conference. Next stop: #EMD2026 in Limassol, Cyprus, where the first ETP Champions will be recognised on 22nd May.

What’s new in #OceanScience? 🦞 New bottom trawling bans in UK Marine Conservation Zone 🐋 New study proposes #BBNJ roadmap to tackle knowledge gap in high seas governance 🌊 Ocean anomaly in the Bay of Bengal challenges modern oceanography Read on: ow.ly/w45150YUROE

Join the 'Marine Protected Areas in Action: Tools, Restoration and Governance for Healthier Seas' webinar on 12 May! 🌊 Register here:  eu01web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… @Cinea_EU @EUScienceInnov @EU_MARE @HorizonEU @Effective2327 @MSP4BIO_Project @oceancitizen_eu @BLUE4ALLproject

Don’t get cold feet watching this! 🌊 My friend Morgan Maassen (@morganmaassen) just sent me his latest effort and he has captured something fundamental about our connection with the Ocean. “Rán: A Scandinavian Surfing Saga” follows Swedish big-wave charger Freddie Meadows hunting waves from the freezing Baltic Sea, through the North Atlantic, all the way to an Arctic Circle big wave discovery. Snow storms, tiny swell windows, and then one magic morning with snow falling at their feet while they score waves that rival Tahiti and Fiji. They even brought in legends Nic Von Rupp and Andrew Cotton for the mission. As a diver and underwater filmmaker, the raw connection these guys have with the ocean in such brutal conditions is seriously inspiring. Watch the full film at youtube.com/watch?v=-gvwj3… Big props to Freddie and Morgan for pushing limits where most people wouldn’t even go.

There are some 700 million unused phones in the EU. If we recycle them, we can: 🔸Reuse lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements 🔸Reduce our reliance on imports 🔸Increase our resilience against global market disruptions ➡️link.europa.eu/3MJKR4

🌊🐟Boost for kapenta processors - #LakeTanganyika! @FAO with Govt & partners handed over improved kapenta drying technologies in Mpulungu & Nsama, boosting quality & access to premium markets. #FISH4ACP, an initiative of @PressACP 🇪🇺🇩🇪funded by @EU_Partnerships & @BMZ_Bund

Via @VisualPersist

#SouthSudan: @FAO @WFP @UNICEF warn of a deepening hunger crisis with 7.8 million people - 56% of the population - facing acute food insecurity, with risk of famine in hardest-hit areas. Nearly 700,000 children are at risk of severe malnutrition. fao.org/newsroom/detai…

🚨 7.8M people in #SouthSudan 🇸🇸 are facing severe hunger between April & July 2026. There is an urgent need for increased investment in local food production to reduce hunger, lower food prices, create jobs, & build resilience 🌾🥣 #IPC #FoodSecurity #ZeroHunger

Without progress in the humanitarian sector: 🔸More lives and livelihoods will be lost 🔸Acute food insecurity levels will surge 🔸Forced displacement will rise Agriculture is key to long-term food security and resilience. bit.ly/3laWfbw #EmergenciesCantWait

At #CL180, I urged for a coordinated policy response to the shock to global agrifood systems & agricultural inputs caused by disruption of #StraitOfHormuz. Crop calendar timing is vital for agricultural production. Peace & stability are prerequisites for #FoodSecurity.

🎓➡️From training to action! @FAO #FISH4ACP trained 36 peer educators, equipping them with practical tools 🧰 to tackle GBV & child marriages in Lake Tanganyika fishing communities 🎣 Delivered under #FISH4ACP an initiative of @PressACP, funded by @EU_Partnerships & @BMZ_Bund

We were pleased to welcome representatives of 🇩🇰Embassy in Ukraine @DKAMBinUkraine to #Odesa and #Mykolaiv to see the impact of @DanishMFA support. Through our strong partnership, we continue life-saving support for children, young people and families.