The EU voted in favor of strictly protecting 10 threatened species of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean Sea, under the Barcelona Convention. These species, including hammerheads, tope, and shortfin mako, have declined dramatically in numbers – some by as much as 99% during the last century – while others have vanished from parts of … Read more
Oceana has warned that many species in the National Park are also present in neighbouring areas, where they are not protected, so it believes that its enlargement is necessary, as approved by the National Park Board of Trustees one year ago Oceana has warned that more than half of the species in the Cabrera Archipelago … Read more
Oceana finds the final Rio +20 declaration to be a weak statement of intent, with no legally binding commitment that fails to respond to the urgent conservation and management needs of the world’s oceans. Rio +20 concludes without any real progress towards a sustainable future. However, the international marine conservation organization acknowledges as a positive … Read more
Today marks 15 years since the death of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a name that is synonymous with the ocean. This French conservationist, diver, filmmaker, author, photographer (and the list goes on) is responsible for educating millions around the world about the wonders of the world’s oceans – and today, we want to honor that legacy and … Read more
This World Oceans Day (June 8), Oceana sounds the alarm on the rapid retreat of European underwater forests from climate change and irresponsible human activities. Every year the loss of thousands of acres of these ecosystems and the consequent damage to hundreds of species goes unnoticed. The international marine conservation organization is calling on EU … Read more
Oceana strongly asserts that a dedicated approach by authorities must be used to end illegal fishing activities in the Baltic, and to strengthen and enforce regulations in Marine Protected Areas. The international marine conservation organization is pleased with the information provided by HELCOM in early May, which shows that the reduction of oil spills in … Read more
Swedish government urged to protect vital species and ecosystems. Oceana has identified Klints Bank and the area East of Gotland as one of the locations in need to protection. As part of its 2012 Baltic Expedition, the marine conservation organization has been conducting extensive research in the past few days to bolster data collected in … Read more
For the first time in its 60-year history, the FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean took action for shark protection. The Commission adopted measures for the management and conservation of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean, the region of highest risk in the world for these fishes. Twenty-three Mediterranean countries endorsed a proposal from … Read more
Oceana last week presented MedNet, a proposal for a network of 100 marine protected areas in the Mediterranean, to the scientific community at the International Conference on Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, MarCoastEcos2012. The conference addressed the protection of marine and coastal areas, and other important issues related to the preservation of ecosystem functioning, climate change, … Read more
While shark finning has technically been banned in the EU since 2003, a number of loopholes remain. Some countries grant special permits that allow fishing vessels to remove shark fins on board, on the basis that they keep both fins and meat and that landed fins do not exceed 5% of the live weight of … Read more
Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.
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.
