The EU delays the protection of mediterranean deep-sea corals

This delay goes against the position of many Mediterranean countries, which value the vulnerability of these species and their significance to marine ecosystems. This is a case similar to what happened with the protection of several species of threatened sharks and rays, which the EU blocked for more than one year before finally giving up … Read more

Oceana to send evidence of illegal fishing in Cabrera to the EU

Oceana has documented the presence of these protected habitats in areas devastated by illegal fishing gears around Cabrera (Balearic Islands) Oceana will send to the EU evidence found of illegal fishing activity in the area surrounding Cabrera and south Majorca, filing a claim against Spain for breach of the  Council Regulation (EC) No. 1967/2006 for … Read more

More sharks in danger because of a soup

A report presented last week at a meeting of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity in Bonn, Germany, revealed that a total of 11 species of pelagic sharks are now threatened with extinction, highlighting the urgency for responsible and precautionary management measures to be established for these vulnerable animals. Oceana, the international organisation dedicated to … Read more

European shark management, long overdue but now closer

Oceana, the international organisation dedicated to protecting the oceans, has been campaigning for years for solid shark conservation measures to be established in Europe, a place where one-third of sharks and related ray species are threatened with extinction but where very few are actually protected. Late last year, it seemed at long last this was … Read more

UNILEVER ends the use of shark products in its cosmetics

Oceana, the international marine conservation organisation, is engaged in a campaign to end of the use of shark liver oil, known as squalene, in cosmetics products. Europe is a major force in the production and trade of squalene, and the campaign has included investigative visits to fishing ports and cosmetics shops, and discussions with cosmetic … Read more

Will 2008 be a year of progress for shark conservation?

Oceana, the international organisation dedicated to conservation of the world’s oceans, appreciates recent initiatives that have been taken in order to manage sharks, species which play a crucial role in the balance of marine ecosystems and, due to their particular biological characteristics, are especially vulnerable to overfishing. “For decades, sharks have been exploited either for … Read more

Oceana uncovers fishy business in European Union shark fisheries around the world

Today Oceana, the international organisation dedicated to conserving and protecting the world’s oceans, published its third report in its series on European Union shark fisheries and trade around the world. The report, entitled Fishy Business, reveals how European Union fleets, in particular some from Spain, escape EU regulations by catching sharks in targeted but unmanaged … Read more

Oceana concerned about the future of shark stocks in light of proposals for excessive catch limits

Oceana, the international organisation dedicated to the conservation of the world’s oceans, is disappointed by the European Commission’s proposals for the 2008 shark quotas. The agreement of appropriate Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and fishing quotas are crucial in ensuring sustainable fisheries, and Oceana was especially hopeful to see precautionary limits proposed for threatened shark species, … Read more

Step forward for international shark conservation

Conservationists warn higher priority and follow-up action needed. Antalya, Turkey: The Shark Alliance welcomes a landmark agreement by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) aimed at reducing fishing on North Atlantic shortfin mako and porbeagle sharks. ICCAT Members adopted the binding measure at their annual meeting, which wrapped up on Sunday. … Read more