The European Commission, in cooperation with the European External Action Service, organized a Colloquium on the Challenges of Unexploded Munitions in the Sea.
This event gathered representatives from Member States, Regional and International Organizations, researchers and other relevant stakeholders to discuss a problematic that affects in particular the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Adriatic Sea. It addressed the challenge of unexploded munitions and other military ordonnance dumped on the seabed, which continues to be a source of concern all around the world. In Europe, this problematic is particularly felt in the Adriatic-Ionian, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Safety, security and environmental risks are aggravated by the fact that many of these munitions are of a chemical nature, containing chemical agents like sulphur mustard, nerve gas and lewisite. Eventual threats to marine ecosystems and, possibly, human health, are also a source of concern. Unexploded munitions can also be a barrier to blue economy opportunities, deterring or blocking the development of blue activities in dumping sites.
The event took place on 20 February in Brussels.
See a map with the dumped munitions in EU waters
Presentations