Coasts and seas

Europe’s bathing waters continue to improve: Ninety-four per cent of bathing sites in the European Union meet minimum standards for water quality, according to the European Environment Agency's annual report on bathing water quality in Europe. Water quality is excellent at 78 % of sites and almost 2 % more sites meet the minimum requirements compared to last year's report.
Located in Press room › News
Observed and projected change in sea level 1970–2008, relative to the sea level in 1990: The solid lines are based on observations smoothed to remove the effects of interannual variability (light lines connect data points). Data in most recent years are obtained via satellite based sensors. The envelope of IPCC (2001) projections is shown for comparison; this includes the broken lines as individual projections and the shading as the uncertainty around the projections.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Projected global average sea-level rise, 1990–2100: Past observed and projected sea level rise from various information sources
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Observed and projected Arctic September sea-ice extent, 1900–2100: Observed and projected Arctic September sea-ice extent
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Priority issues in the Mediterranean environment (revised version): Following the principles of the European Thematic Strategy on the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment, the collective interest of EEA and UNEP/MAP has been developed towards a product focusing on priority pollution zones in the Mediterranean Sea and addressing emerging issues. All these issues come under the prism of an ecosystem approach. The core of this report derives from the latest (2003–2004) country National Diagnostic Analyses reports (NDA).
Located in Publications
EEA Briefing 3/2006 - The continuous degradation of Europe's coasts threatens European living standards: Located in Publications
The changing faces of Europe's coastal areas: This report provides information on the state of the environment in the coastal areas of Europe, and provides evidence of the need for a more integrated, long-term approach. Since 1995, concern about the state of Europe's coastline has led to a number of EU initiatives, which build on the concept of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). ICZM attempts to balance the needs of development with protection of the very resources that sustain coastal economies. It also takes into account the public's concern about the deteriorating environmental, socio-economic and cultural state of the European coastline.
Located in Publications
Marine and coastal environment — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: European marine regions include the north-east Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and the Mediterranean, Black and Baltic seas. Human activities — such as fishing, aquaculture and agriculture — and climate change cause large and severe impacts on Europe's coastal and marine ecosystems. The EU objective of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met in either the coastal or the marine environment. Recognising the need for an integrated ecosystem-based approach to reduce pressures, the EU Integrated Maritime Policy allows for the development of sea-related activities in a sustainable manner. Its environmental pillar, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, aims to deliver 'good environmental status' of the marine environment by 2020, and the Common Fisheries Policy will be reformed in 2012 with the aim of achieving sustainable fisheries. Complementary policy efforts include the EU Water Framework Directive and other freshwater legislation, and the Habitats and Birds Directives.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Understanding climate change - key fact 5: The third lowest minimum of Arctic summer sea ice occurred in September 2010.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Understanding climate change — SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key facts
Change in the height of a 50-year return period extreme water level event to the end of the 21st century for different scenarios: The water level is measured relative to the present day tide, due to changes in atmospheric storminess, an increase in mean sea level and vertical land movements
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs