26/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – Environmental NGOs called on the European Commission on Monday 26 September to be rigorous in its assessment of EU member states’ performance on protecting their oceans. Oceana, Seas At Risk, and WWF also urge member states to protect those areas that are home to Europe’s most threatened marine life. The call comes ahead of the EU meeting in Malta, which opens on Tuesday 27 September, to identify gaps that legally must be filled in the Natura 2000 network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Atlantic, Macaronesian, and Mediterranean waters. The NGOs note that Natura 2000 MPAs only cover 4% of EU marine waters, far below the 30% target internationally considered by scientists as necessary to sustain long-term ocean health. (LC)