Oceana’s work: Exploring and protecting El Hierro

El Hierro, the southernmost, westernmost, and youngest island of the Canary Islands (Spain), is a volcanic wonder rising from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. While 90% of its structure lies submerged, its waters are teeming with extraordinary marine biodiversity. Oceana has long recognized the ecological importance of these well conserved ecosystems, conducting research to … Read more

Multiple EU countries are failing to stop destructive fishing in Protected Areas, analysis finds, as several face legal action

NGOs call for evaluation of Marine Action Plan and new rules to strengthen protection of EU seas Brussels – No EU country has comprehensive plans to phase out destructive fishing, like bottom trawling, from marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030, a new analysis released today by marine NGOs Oceana, Seas At Risk and ClientEarth reveals. … Read more

As EU ocean days conclude, civil society, fishers, and the scientific community call on Commissioner Kadis to affirm that bottom trawling has no place in marine protected areas

Monday, March 10th–Following the conclusion of EU Ocean Days, leading ocean advocates — BLOOM, Blue Marine Foundation, Défense des Milieux Aquatiques, National Geographic Pristine Seas, Oceana, Only One, and Seas At Risk — in collaboration with fishers and scientists, are urging Commissioner Kadis to support a ban on destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling … Read more

How Denmark’s bottom trawling ban could benefit marine conservation

In a bid to restore its marine environment, Denmark has announced a proposal to expand its ban on bottom trawling, which will cover a total area of around 23,000 km², equivalent to 17% of its sea area. Currently, fishing with bottom trawling gear is prohibited in 4,864km² of Danish waters. This proposed expansion marks a … Read more

The EU enters the race for the High Seas Treaty

The EU is stepping up to ratify the High Seas Treaty, also known as the BBNJ Agreement – the UN treaty designed to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. These international waters begin 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) from the coast. On February 4, Spain became the first EU country to ratify the … Read more

NGOs welcome Denmark’s new proposal to ban destructive bottom trawling in key areas – and urge the EU to take stronger action 

Environment NGOs Seas At Risk, Danish Nature Conservation Association, Oceana and ClientEarth welcome the Danish government’s proposal to ban bottom trawling in over 17% of Danish waters. The establishment of trawl-free areas is a long-awaited step that will provide a much-needed opportunity for marine ecosystems to recover as bottom trawling has pushed the region to … Read more

Sweden sets an example for EU countries with first steps to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas

NGOs – the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Seas At Risk, Oceana and ClientEarth – welcome last night’s Swedish government proposal to amend legislation, paving the way for a future ban on bottom trawling in Swedish marine protected areas. NGOs celebrate this as an important milestone and urge other EU governments to follow the … Read more

Why Marine Protected Areas matter

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for protecting the oceans and addressing the threats it faces from overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Since 2005, Oceana has conducted 31 at-sea research expeditions in the Atlantic, Baltic, and Mediterranean seas. These efforts have helped protect marine habitats, restore degraded ecosystems, and establish new MPAs to safeguard marine … Read more

OBJETIVO 10×30. LA URGENCIA DE ESTABLECER ESPACIOS MARINOS DE PROTECCIÓN ESTRICTA EN ESPAÑA.

Este informe ha sido realizado por Oceana bajo la iniciativa MED30, con la cofinanciación de la Med Sea Alliance y la Unión Europea. Las opiniones y puntos de vista expresados solo comprometen a sus autores y no reflejan necesariamente los de la Unión Europea o los de la Agencia Ejecutiva Europea de Clima, Infraestructuras y … Read more

Extending the limit on deep-sea bottom fishing in the Mediterranean to preserve vulnerable habitats

The report highlights the ecological risks of deep-sea bottom fishing in the Mediterranean, emphasizing that activities below 800 meters threaten vulnerable marine ecosystems. Oceana supports extending these protections to safeguard biodiversity hotspots and enhance the Mediterranean’s climate adaptation capabilities. Version in French Version in Spanish Version in Arabic Version in Turkish