Yachting Art Magazine

On the occasion of the United Nations Ocean Conference, a Toluna – Harris Interactive survey reveals that French public opinion is clear-headed and demanding when it comes to marine issues. Between deep attachment and well-founded concerns, citizens expect concrete decisions and stronger political commitment to preserving the seas.

As the world's attention turns to Nice for the United Nations Ocean Conference, the Ministry for Ecological Transition has unveiled a telling photograph of the French people's relationship with the marine environment. Conducted in mid-May 2025 among a representative sample of over a thousand people, the study highlights a strong emotional attachment to the sea, coupled with marked concern about its deterioration.

While the sea initially evokes positive images – holidays, nature, open horizons – awareness of its vulnerability is growing. Only 23% of respondents believe that the oceans are in good condition. In contrast, 78% say they are concerned about their health. This lucidity is accompanied by a clear perception of the threats: illegal fishing is identified as a danger by 90% of those surveyed, while mining and energy exploitation at sea alarm nearly nine out of ten French people. Climate change, with its cumulative effects, is also cited by 85% as an aggravating factor.

This concern is not limited to passive observation. It is rooted in an explicit recognition of the vital role played by the oceans. For 92% of those surveyed, they play an active role in regulating the climate; for 90%, they contribute to global food supplies. Their link to oxygen production, human health and the fight against global warming is also widely recognised.

Faced with these challenges, a majority (62%) believe that France should strengthen its commitment to protecting the marine environment as a matter of priority. This figure reflects an expectation for concrete action in line with scientific warnings and calls from civil society.

The Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, welcomed this collective signal. She pointed out that 88% of French people have visited the coast in the last ten years, demonstrating their close connection with marine areas. ‘This clear-eyed view of the dangers facing our oceans reflects a legitimate demand for action,’ she said. She affirmed that France intends to assume its responsibilities, both nationally, by strengthening the protection of maritime areas under its jurisdiction, and internationally, by actively contributing to the momentum generated at the conference.

For the majority of French people, preserving the oceans is no longer a wish but a necessity. Because protecting the seas also means, inevitably, protecting ourselves.