Habitat Protection Archives

Putting small-scale fishers first: Securing Cyprus’ coastal waters for sustainable fishing

Cyprus’ territorial waters are ecologically and economically significant. They host biodiverse habitats, like seagrass meadows and coral communities, encompass key breeding grounds for marine species, including sea turtles and migratory fishes, while also underpinning fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, coastal recreation, and other blue economy activities. In 2022, Cyprus’ blue economy generated an estimated €1.8 billion in … Read more

Detailed methods: putting small scale fishers first, securing cyprus’ coastal waters for sustainable fishing

Oceana conducted an analysis to identify apparent bottom trawling in the waters of the Republic of Cyprus, excluding those territorial waters that are not under the effective control of the government. Using data from the Global Fishing Watch1 (GFW) mapping platform, Oceana analysed apparent fishing activity from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025. The … Read more

Creating an exclusive coastal zone for small-scale fishers would bring minimal costs but maximum gains for marine life, fishers, and the blue economy in Cyprus, says Oceana

44 countries worldwide have created such exclusive zones for small-scale fishers, which have proven to work in protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities Nicosia – As the European Maritime Day kicks off today in Limassol (Cyprus), marine conservation NGO Oceana is releasing the results of a new analysis of bottom trawling in Cypriot waters. The findings reveal … Read more

Conservation organisations and scientists call on the Secretariat‑General for Fisheries to comply with its environmental obligations in marine protected areas

Marine protected areas are essential for restoring ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of fisheries, but their effectiveness depends on proper fisheries management and enforcement Madrid – Leading marine conservation organisations and scientists have today called on the Secretariat‑General for Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) to take measures to ensure the effective protection of marine … Read more

Deep-sea ecosystems as climate refugia: a hidden lifeline for marine species

Climate change is having profound and unprecedented impacts on the ocean, causing ocean warming, acidification, and deoxygenation, among other changes. These impacts modify the environmental conditions where many marine species live, to the point where they face unprecedented stress. However, some studies highlight that deeper areas may be relatively more insulated from climate-driven changes, and … Read more

A new delay in protecting Cabrera National Park puts its biodiversity at risk

The Balearic Government postpones effective protection of the park until 2027, after proposing to safeguard nearly 600 km² to halt biodiversity loss The measure endangers everything from deep-sea corals to sharks, which still lack real conservation measures following the 2019 expansion Oceana warns of a new delay in updating the management framework of the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of … Read more

Benthic habitats of Western mediterranean seamounts: Spatial modelling and environmental drivers

Abstract Seamounts are considered biodiversity hotspots that play a relevant role in deep-sea ecosystems. The LIFE IP INTEMARES project aimed to enhance scientific knowledge of the biodiversity and distribution of benthic species and habitats in the Mallorca Channel seamounts (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean): Ses Olives, Ausias March and Emile Baudot. This study develops habitat suitability … Read more

Spain’s National High Court Requests More Information in Oceana and ClientEarth Case on Bottom Trawling Impacts in Marine Protected Areas

The court asks environmental organisations to explain the evidence of the impact of bottom trawling in marine protected areas in the Cantabrian Sea and the Gulf of CádizDespite ongoing legal action, the Government continues issuing fishing authorisations in marine protected areas, contrary to national conservation laws Oceana and ClientEarth appeared today before Spain’s National High … Read more

The Azores Marine Park: a blueprint for Europe’s ocean ambition

At a time when global powers are stepping back from environmental commitments, the Azores have chosen a different path. An autonomous region of Portugal, this archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the North Atlantic has taken a bold step and set a standard that other European countries could do well to follow. Created in 2024, the … Read more

The Ocean Act Europes Ocean Regulation

This is a historic decade for the ocean. Political support for ocean regeneration has gained momentum internationally with the ratification of the High Seas Treaty and the commitments countries made at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice. The world’s top Courts, i.e. the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea and International Court … Read more