Habitat Protection Archives

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts andconservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Rhodolith beds, including maerl, are structurally complex perennial habitats that support a high species diversity but are threatened by numerous human activities, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite their global ecological importance, increased research efforts are needed to facilitate development of effective measures to conserve these habitats. Two areas hosting rhodolith beds are known to … Read more

EU countries not on track to meet international marine protection targets, warn NGOs

EU Member States are set to miss targets to protect 30% of EU seas by 2030, warn marine NGOs Oceana and Seas At Risk. In reaction to the EU’s interim evaluation of its 2030 Biodiversity Strategy released on 13 March, the NGOs are today publishing an assessment of Member States’ pledges on marine protection targets. … Read more

Quince organizaciones ecologistas piden al Gobierno reforzar los compromisos de protección marina en el Mediterráneo español

Las organizaciones demandan acciones para avanzar en la protección estricta de, al menos, un 10 % del Mediterráneo, comprometido por España Además, solicitan una gobernanza participativa para la elaboración, implementación y evaluación de los planes de gestión de los espacios Continuar con el compromiso y redoblar los esfuerzos para conseguir la protección efectiva del 30 … Read more

Mediterráneo 30×30. Acuerdo marino entre organizaciones ambientales para la protección de un 30% del Mediterráneo español en 2030

En respuesta a la doble crisis planetaria, climática y de pérdida de biodiversidad, la Unión Europea y sus estados miembros se han comprometido, a través de la Estrategia de Biodiversidad de la UE a proteger al menos el 30% de los mares para 2030, con un tercio de lo protegido (es decir, un 10% de … Read more

Law to restore EU seas by 2030 edges one step closer to reality

Today the European Parliament’s plenary has adopted the agreement reached with EU countries on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). This is good news for the marine environment, say NGOs Oceana and Seas At Risk, because the new law includes binding restoration targets for marine habitats, as well as a new mechanism and a timeline to … Read more

Spain Designates Seven New Marine Protected Areas

The Spanish government designated seven new marine protected areas (MPAs) in three Spanish marine regions. These areas, rich in biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems, will be part of the Natura 2000 Network, which includes the natural areas of greatest ecological value in the European Union. With this designation, the total marine area protected in Spain, including … Read more

European Parliament votes to increase transparency regarding fishing activities, but also to weaken marine conservation ambition

MEPs vote for more transparency to prevent the entry of illegal seafood on the EU market, but also endorse destructive fishing within protected areas and compromise the fight against overfishing in European waters Oceana deplores key votes at the European Parliament on the Common Fisheries Policy and the Marine Action plan, which reveal a worrying … Read more

European Parliament at risk of backpedaling on marine protection ambition

Plenary likely to approve report by Fisheries Committee that supports destructive fishing and undermines Parliament’s position on biodiversity targets Marine NGOs Seas At Risk and Oceana are sounding the alarm that the European Parliament is poised to adopt a report on the Marine Action Plan (1) on 18 January supporting destructive fishing. The report was … Read more

Oceana applauds the designation of seven new marine protected areas in Spain

These sanctuaries are havens of biodiversity and serve as safeguards against climate change To be effective, the designation must be coupled with good management Oceana celebrates the announcement by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition to establish seven new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Rich in biodiversity and home to vulnerable ecosystems, these areas will be included … Read more

Three out of four Spanish trawlers fished in marine protected areas in 2022

The information is distilled from official data from the General Secretariat for Fisheries Trawling, one of the most destructive fishing methods, is allowed in marine protected areas despite being a threat to the ocean and the sustainability of the fishing sector Three-quarters of the vessels that bottom trawled in Spain last year did so, at … Read more