Against the destruction of the Ocean, mobilize!

We are in battle order

Dear supporters,

Today is World Oceans Day . Yet, we will not be taking part in the usual festivities. With you offering us so much, sometimes for so long, we must speak frankly. Our spirit is not in a festive mood.

We are at the dawn of a year of bitter struggle , in one of those silent mornings when each side counts itself, when each army prepares conscientiously.

What we do in the coming months will be decisive for the future of the ocean . And with it, the future of the climate, biodiversity, and humanity.

The threat continues to grow

The ocean is emptying . Every year, French trawlers scrape over 600,000 km2 of seabed, destroying everything in their path. Since 1950, industrial fishing has reduced populations of large fish such as cod, sharks, tuna, and swordfish by 90% . More than a third of the world's fish populations are overexploited. In the Northeast Atlantic, this proportion rises to 43%. In the Mediterranean, 83%. If we allow this to continue, the cradle of life on Earth will soon become an irrecoverable ecological wasteland.

The ocean is boiling, heated by greenhouse gas emissions. The global ocean surface temperature reached an average of 21°C for the first time in February 2024. It's breaking all records. Our best ally against global warming is kneeling.

In this context, the outcome of the European elections leaves the threat of a fatal blow hanging over us. The far right, and all those who ardently defend industrial lobbies, are perhaps on the eve of a power grab unprecedented in the history of the European Union. The influence of the most deadly lobbies could, tomorrow, reach an unprecedented level. The citizen force that we constitute together must rise up , even stronger , against their plan to destroy biodiversity, the climate and social justice.

This year offers us an incredible political window

Yet we have reason to be hopeful . The year ahead could bring unprecedented victories. Emmanuel Macron has declared 2024 the “Year of the Sea,” opening a historic political window for major advances in ocean protection. Of course, we know it will close just as quickly if we don't step into the breach.

With just one year to go until the world's heads of state convene for the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice on June 9, 2025, we must act with strength and determination. Emmanuel Macron's announcements must not amount to yet another greenwashing operation. By exposing France's current hypocrisy, we can use international pressure to our advantage and win victories of unprecedented magnitude for the ocean, the climate, and small-scale fishermen.

Our hope for a turning point in ocean protection policies is based on our recent victories. A few days ago, during the review of the bill for France to ratify the High Seas Treaty, our battles entered the National Assembly . Hervé Berville, Secretary of State for the Sea and Biodiversity and a fervent defender of the most destructive fishing techniques, seems to be giving in to public pressure. A year after explaining to the Senate that he was “totally, clearly, and firmly” opposed to banning bottom trawling in marine protected areas, Hervé Berville is changing his tune. In an unlikely turn of events, he now claims he was never opposed to such a measure. We are gaining ground, we must push further.

We are already in battle order

We are accelerating the development of our digital platform for tracking MEPs' votes: iPolitics. We have already analyzed more than 100,000 votes during the period 2019-2024 on the topics of climate, biodiversity, ocean protection, and environmental justice. We are building a formidable tool, in its detail, transparency, and readability. Over the next five years, we will monitor with you every decision made by each parliamentarian. More than ever, we are working to ensure that those who must represent us do not escape the scrutiny of citizens .

We will also continue to carry the united and powerful voice of the “Citizens’ Coalition for the Protection of the Ocean.” Since its launch on March 26, it has already gathered a formidable force by bringing together more than 45,000 citizens, 130 NGOs and movements, and 120 public figures. Together, we can force the government and Emmanuel Macron to move away from the status quo and undertake the reforms essential for ocean protection and social justice.

We are also increasing legal pressure on ocean destroyers and their political proxies. With our lawyers and the ClientEarth association, we have just initiated new legal proceedings to force the French government to stop violating European law by authorizing trawling in Mediterranean marine protected areas. We are also awaiting a hearing at the Council of State to annul the decree on "strong French-style protection." Finally, we are continuing our action in Houat and Hoëdic to protect artisanal fishermen from trawlers. We are waging these legal battles head-on to finally end the impunity that the trawl and industrial fishing lobby has enjoyed for decades.

We can win, but not without you

When you're with us, we know that the most improbable victories become possible. Just last week, we defeated the world's largest pelagic trawler: the Annelies Ilena . Thanks to your tireless citizen mobilization, Hervé Berville, Secretary of State for the Sea and Biodiversity, was forced to give in and ban the quota transfer that allows the operation of this giant industrial vessel.

To achieve new victories, to have the strength to fight these crucial battles, we need your financial support. To recruit lawyers, researchers, analysts, developers, and spokespersons capable of defending our fights in the National Assembly and the European Parliament. It is with them, thanks to you, that we will be able to continue winning the battles ahead.

Thank you for standing with us on this World Oceans Day. We will thwart the prevailing fatalism and make the coming year a year of great victories for the protection of the ocean. Next year, we will celebrate together. With the unique feeling of victory for what is just, for what is common.

See you soon!

The BLOOM team