Welcome to the OSPAR Commission, protecting and conserving the North-East Atlantic and its resources
The OSPAR Convention is the current legal instrument guiding international cooperation on the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. Work under the Convention is managed by the OSPAR Commission, made up of representatives of the Governments of 15 Contracting Parties and the European Commission, representing the European Community.
Our mission is to conserve marine ecosystems and safeguard human health in the North-East Atlantic by preventing and eliminating pollution; by protecting the marine environment from the adverse effects of human activities; and by contributing to the sustainable use of the seas.
OSPAR's work is organised under six strategies, applying the ecosystem approach to deliver on the Ministerial Declarations and Statements made at the adoption of the Convention and at subsequent Ministerial meetings of the OSPAR Commission. For each strategy a programme of work is designed and implemented annually.
The aim of this website is to explain the work of the OSPAR Commission, to inform on the work taking place and to share information to promote collective action for the benefit of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic ocean.