“The state of our oceans calls for determined global action," said the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, following the Our Ocean conference in Bali. "With 23 new commitments, the European Union stays engaged to ensure safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed oceans. No country can succeed alone in this endeavour. It requires determination, consistency and partnerships, within and outside our European Union, and it is in this spirit that today we renew the commitment to protect Our Oceans,” she stated.

In the run up to the Our Ocean Conference 2018, the EU called on Member States and its Delegations all over the world to participate in a global #EUBeachCleanup action. Around 60 countries worldwide participated in this initiative together with local authorities, NGOs and other organisations. This collective activity brought together EU staff and their families, locals, young and old alike, who collected thousands of bags of waste from the seaside, river banks and lakes around the world.

This week's European Map of the Seas' "Map of the Week" is dedicated precisely to all volunteers who participated in the #EUBeachCleanup events worldwide to protect our ocean!

Have a look at the video roundup of the #EUBeachCleanup actions around the world.

The European Atlas of the Seas is a tool used by schools and students, professionals, policy makers and journalists to search for information about seas and coasts, the environment, related human activities and European Policies and more.