On November 28, 2025, EU member states reached a significant consensus by setting new limits on seafloor litter to combat the growing threat of marine pollution. This policy marks a crucial milestone in the EU’s ocean protection efforts and sets a new benchmark for global marine governance.
Seafloor Litter: A Hidden Ocean Crisis
Seafloor litter is one of the most challenging yet far-reaching issues in marine pollution. According to EU research:
- Bottom trawling disturbs 79% of the coastal seabed
- Various types of non-degradable materials accumulate on the seafloor: abandoned fishing nets, plastic bottles, tires, metal cans
- This debris not only destroys seafloor ecosystems but also releases toxic substances and affects water quality
Three Key Highlights of the New Policy
- “Source Reduction”: Strengthen supervision of fisheries and maritime transport to reduce waste entering the ocean
- “Monitoring and Assessment”: Establish a comprehensive seafloor litter monitoring network to understand the true extent of pollution
- “Cleanup and Restoration”: Invest resources in cleaning existing seafloor litter and restoring damaged ecosystems
Artificial Mussels Technology: A New Monitoring Opportunity
Against this backdrop, NerOcean’s Artificial Mussels technology demonstrates its unique value. As a passive sampling device, Artificial Mussels can:
- Monitor long-term pollutant accumulation near the seafloor
- Detect multiple pollutants including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microplastics
- Low-cost, no power required, suitable for large-scale deployment
- Provide scientific data to support policy-making
This monitoring technology is precisely the key tool needed for the “Monitoring and Assessment” component of the EU’s new policy.
Global Impact and Future Outlook
The EU’s policy affects not only European waters but also provides valuable experience for global marine governance. With COP30 emphasizing the importance of ocean protection, we expect more countries to join this action to protect our oceans.
The ocean is the source of life on Earth. Protecting seafloor ecosystems means protecting our own future. This EU initiative is an important milestone toward cleaner oceans.
English