Up until now, measures to protect the marine environment have been developed in a sector by sector approach resulting in a patchwork of policies, legislation, programmes and actions plans at national, regional, EU and international level which do not deliver a high level of protection of the marine environment.
Līdz šim, lai aizsargātu jūras vidi, katra nozare Eiropas Savienībā ir piemērojusi savu pieeju, kas jūras vides aizsardzību nav veicinājis.