Almost 140 environmental organizations have called on the newly elected EU leadership to take a "series of bold measures to stop the EU’s ocean and coastlines being pushed to the brink."

Their suggestions include launching an "Ocean Fund" and proposing new legislation to "ban destructive activities at sea."

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Launched at the European Parliament on Oct. 1, the "Blue Manifesto," led by BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe and WWF, advocates for an ambitious deal that places ocean health at the heart of EU decision-making.

It comes after the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, pledged to create a "European Ocean Pact" in July as she was re-appointed for a new term.

A spokesperson for the NGOs said: "The ocean is vital for food, health, wellbeing and livelihoods.It covers 70% of the world’s surface, acts as a vital carbon sink, mitigates climate change, regulates the weather patterns and produces oxygen. But Europe’s seas are at a tipping point, having been overexploited due to the relentless pursuit of 'blue growth.'"

A European Ocean Pact must align with the policy roadmap outlined in the NGOs' manifesto to ensure meaningful, long-term ocean protection, as will proper funding to support it, they suggested.

"According to the European Environment Agency, more than 90% of Europe’s marine area is under pressure from human activities -- intensive fishing, shipping, oil and gas drilling, tourism and other coastal activities. Destructive practices such as bottom trawling continue in 90% of EU offshore marine protected areas, and more than 14 million [metric tons] of plastic still enter the ocean each year."