Oceana’s reaction to the appointment of Ursula von der Leyen

In response to the election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, Oceana issued the following statement: “Oceana congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on being re-appointed as President of the European Commission. The announcement of a European Oceans Pact is a welcome first step, because a healthy and productive ocean is … Read more

Most EU citizens want political leaders to prioritise ocean protection and to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas, new polls reveal

Polls expose gap between people’s opinion of marine protection in Europe and the stark reality Nearly 9 in 10 citizens (86%) surveyed across seven EU countries expect their political leaders to prioritise the protection of marine biodiversity, according to the results of national polls conducted by Sapience and published today. The study further identifies that, … Read more

Reviving Europe’s oceans: Marine wins under the Nature Restoration Law

The EU Council has officially adopted the Nature Restoration Law today, marking the first major piece of legislation aimed at restoring nature in the past thirty years! This regulation mandates the restoration of marine habitats and addresses destructive fishing practices, thereby enhancing the ocean’s role as the planet’s largest carbon store and bolstering biodiversity and … Read more

8 June, World Ocean Day: The ocean is key to securing the EU’s future

On World Ocean Day, Oceana calls on all candidates to the European Parliament to restore ocean health to support our food supply, jobs,and resilience to the climate crisis On World Ocean Day, which this year coincides with the European elections, Oceana urges incoming EU leaders to ensure that ocean life is restored to abundance. A … Read more

Oceana asks the Balearic Government for more protection for marine biodiversity in Cabrera National Park

The extension of the park, effective from 2019, lacks appropriate protection and management measures to protect the area from industrial fishing The Government, responsible for the park, now has an opportunity to commit to real and ambitious protection after years of delay Oceana urges the Balearic Government to effectively protect the Cabrera Archipelago National Marine-Terrestrial … Read more

A quantification of bottom towed fishing activity in marine Natura 2000 sites

There are over 2100 marine Natura 2000 sites designated across Europe’s seas under the EU Habitats Directive. Member States have designated such sites to protect and recover both important marine habitats such as reefs and sandbanks and a range of iconic species including the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and grey and … Read more