EBI participated in the first meeting of the European Ocean Board meeting, marking an important milestone for the representation of the recreational boating and nautical tourism sector at EU level. The European Ocean Board is a high-level expert group established by the EU Commission to support the implementation of the European Ocean Pact. Chaired by the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadís, and coordinated by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), the Board brings together a limited number of EU-level stakeholder organisations representing the wider ocean and maritime community.

EBI has been formally appointed as a member of the European Ocean Board, ensuring that the perspectives of recreational boating, marinas, and nautical tourism are represented in discussions on the future direction of EU ocean policy.

During the inaugural meeting, EBI highlighted the strategic importance of recreational boating and nautical tourism as integral parts of Europe’s blue economy, underlining the sector’s strong industrial base, high export performance, and contribution to employment and tourism across all EU Member States. EBI underlined the need for clean and healthy oceans as a prerequisite for sustainable sector growth, while calling for policy approaches that balance environmental protection with socio-economic realities. EBI stressed the importance of:

• Supporting sustainable competitiveness through targeted EU measures under the Industrial Maritime Strategy and the Sustainable Tourism Strategy;
• Ensuring that research, innovation and funding programmes reflect the needs of the recreational boating industry, including through the forthcoming European Ocean Research & Innovation Strategy;
• Prioritising marina and boating infrastructure investment, including modernisation, greening and access to alternative fuels;
• Recognising recreational and sporting activities at sea within ocean and maritime spatial planning frameworks.

EBI also encouraged the European Ocean Board to play a proactive role in defining clear sector-based targets, monitoring implementation, and reporting progress as part of the Ocean Pact governance framework. 

EBI’s participation in the European Ocean Board ensures that the sector is represented at the highest political and strategic level in discussions on ocean governance, knowledge, innovation, and maritime economic development. EBI will continue to keep members informed of key developments and opportunities arising from the work of the European Ocean Board as implementation of the European Ocean Pact progresses.