We asked Javier Garat Pérez, rapporteur of the EESC opinion Civil society's vision for a European Oceans Pact, about the EESC's most important recommendations on the European Commission's initiative which sets the comprehensive vision for all ocean-related policies. What specific action is to be taken to protect the oceans from devastation and pollution, and to preserve their biodiversity? What are the greatest threats to the well-being of the oceans and what solutions does the Committee propose?