Regional action plan for benthic habitats
In 2025 OSPAR adopted phase one of a Regional Action Plan for Benthic Habitats (RAP-Benthic). Phase one aims to collect and provide the evidence needed to support the development of measures to improve the condition of benthic habitats and includes actions relating to offshore wind and bottom contact fisheries. During 2025 and 2026, OSPAR will take forward the phase one actions and continue developing the RAP-Benthic phase two, building on previous and ongoing national and regional work to add further actions. This will complete an OSPAR RAP Benthic that supports protection and restoration efforts at a regional scale. Successful delivery of the RAP-Benthic will involve collaborating with the wide range of national and regional organisations with responsibility for managing activities that have the potential to impact on the seafloor.
Regional Action Plan for Benthic Habitats (RAP-Benthic) Phase 1 (OSPAR Agreement 2025-12e)
BRIEFING NOTE: Regional action plan for benthic habitats – phase one
