EU's 'ambitious' plan to improve health of oceans
The package includes reducing plastic pollution, extending protected areas, and watching vulnerable areas for illegal fishing.
Friday 6 October 2017 03:17, UK
The European Union has unveiled an "ambitious" package of measures worth almost half a billion pounds to improve the health of the oceans.
The 36 initiatives aim to make the seas "healthier, cleaner, safer and more secure".
Speaking at the Our Ocean conference in Malta, which is being organised by the EU, Vice President Federica Mogherini said: "It is Our Ocean because it belongs to humanity, to each and every human being. We all have a responsibility to preserve what's common."
The package includes measures to reduce plastic pollution, extend marine protected areas, and monitor vulnerable areas of ocean for illegal fishing.
Businesses have also made more than 50 commitments at the conference.
and has set up an innovation fund to encourage start-up companies to find solutions to the plastic scourge.
Jeremy Darroch, Sky's chief executive, said: "If we can work with our supply chain initially - which is vast, it covers the globe - and help many small businesses who work with us develop their own solutions alongside us, then hopefully that ripple effect will just grow."
Eliminating single-use plastic isn't easy. Supply chains are built around the convenience of disposable packaging and the pioneers of a plastic free world are having to reinvent the wheel.
Silo restaurant in Brighton is attempting to cut down on the packaging it uses. Cream and milk come in reusable boxes, toilet rolls are delivered unwrapped and dry goods are bought in bulk.
"You get a vegetable that is individually wrapped," said chef Halfdan Cluffton.
"That's why we try to work with local farmers or to push the supplier to not use it (plastic) at all. The common norm is to use all this plastic."
:: Sky is running a dedicated Sky Ocean Rescue 'pop-up' channel giving viewers the chance to watch live events and panels from the EU Our Ocean conference in Malta.
Watch Our Ocean Rescue channel in the UK (channel 566), Germany (channel 384), Italy (channel 505) and on Virgin (244). It is also available to view via the Sky News website and the Sky News YouTube channel.
:: As part of coverage of the oceans summit, watch an Our Ocean Special report at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Friday. You can also watch the documentary A Plastic Whale at 3pm on Friday.