German and Dutch Marine Protected Areas Closed to Destructive Fishing Gear

Following joint recommendations by Germany and the Netherlands, the European Commission closed over 3,500 square kilometers (over 1,350 square miles) of the North Sea to bottom trawling, and prohibited the use of destructive fishing gears such as gillnets, trammel nets, and driftnets across an additional 1,700 square kilometers (over 650 square miles). These fisheries restrictions … Read more

Tell politicians to #RestoreNature and #RestoreOcean!

The ocean is full of life, from simple plankton all the way up to great whales, and the delicate ecosystems and interactions between sea life help keep our planet’s climate and health in balance.  But this delicate balance is under threat.  From irreparable damage to the seabed, to depleting fish populations, to incidental catches of … Read more

Expert views on the EU fisheries package

Today, the European Commission is releasing its package of communications to protect fisheries and the ocean. Its content defines the European Commission’s ocean ambition for marine protection, decarbonisation of the fishing industry and sustainable fisheries management for the remainder of its mandate. Here we speak to Oceana colleagues, Nicolas Fournier – director of habitat protection, … Read more