Natura 2000 is the European Union’s network of protected areas, created to safeguard valuable and threatened species and habitats across Europe. These sites are vital for preserving biodiversity, but how are Natura 2000 sites designated, especially when it comes to marine and coastal areas? The process is guided by science, national responsibility, and EU-level collaboration. … Read more
Citizens urge EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans to better manage protected areas for the benefit of fishers and the ocean Brussels – Today [13 May] representatives of small-scale fishers, scientists, citizens and civil society organisations handed in a petition (here & here) to the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, signed by over 250,000 … Read more
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.
Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.
