France Strengthens Protection of Three Major Marine Areas

Paris – 08.06.2026: The French Minister for the Seas, Catherine Chabaud, today announced the names of the three major marine areas where protection measures will be strengthened going forward. This decision is part of the national strategy to increase the proportion of French maritime territory under strict protection. In addition, a new plan to combat plastic waste in the seas was presented.

The three selected marine areas are:

1. The Bay of Morbihan on the Breton coast, known for its rich biodiversity and as a habitat for numerous bird species.

2. The Gulf of Lion in the western Mediterranean, an important area for fishing and tourism.

3. The Glorieuses Islands in the Indian Ocean, part of the French overseas territory and famous for their pristine nature.

These areas were chosen due to their ecological importance and the need to protect their natural resources. The enhanced protection measures include the establishment of protected zones where certain human activities are restricted or prohibited to preserve marine ecosystems.

The decision to protect these three areas aligns with France’s international commitments to marine environmental conservation. Already in December 2025, the introduction of the label “Zones of Strong Marine Exploitation” was announced, covering 63 maritime areas in France. This label aims to increase the proportion of French maritime territory under strict protection to 14.8% by the end of 2026.

In addition to strengthening protection in these marine areas, a new plan to combat plastic waste in the seas was also introduced. This plan includes measures such as reducing the use of single-use plastics, promoting recycling initiatives, and raising public awareness about the impact of plastic waste on the marine environment. The goal is to significantly reduce pollution of the seas by plastic waste and promote the health of marine ecosystems.

These initiatives are part of France’s broader strategy to protect the marine environment and promote sustainable use of marine resources. By combining protection measures for sensitive marine areas with efforts to combat pollution from plastic waste, France aims to assume a leading role in global environmental protection.

The implementation of these measures will take place in the coming months and years, with collaboration from local communities, fishing industries, and environmental organizations being crucial to ensure the effectiveness of protection measures and to promote sustainable use of marine resources.