The lemon shark is found down to a depth of about 90 meters, but pups remain in shallow water for several years. They are known to withstand changes in salinity and can even be found in fresh water. Young lemon sharks rely on protected coastal areas, which act as nurseries and are being degraded at … Read more
An EU-wide stakeholder consultation process on the implementation of the MSFD is being organized by the European Commission, and Oceana is an active member of this process. We currently follow several working groups, including on the definition of Good Environmental Status (GES) and on Economic and Social Assessment (ESA). At the regional scale, Oceana being … Read more
The gorgonia Primnoa sp., also known as red tree corals or sea corn, and the bubblegum gorgonia Paragorgia arborea can form great branching trees that reach many feet from the seabed. Red tree corals 7 feet tall and 25 feet wide have been observed by scientists in submersibles, and fishermen have reported bubblegum trees over … Read more
It is wide-distributed throughout the world and even reaches Arctic waters. However, there are no global figures for this species. Off the Atlantic coast of Europe, it is calculated that there are some 12,600 species, and Galicia and Portugal are one of the areas with the highest concentrations. Its sociability allows it to interact with … Read more
As the biggest meat-eating sharks, great whites average between 4 and 7 meters but have been recorded at lengths over 11 meters. Great whites, which have torpedo-shaped bodies and pointed snouts, get their name from the distinctive white coloring on their undersides. Due to severe overfishing, great whites are listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN’s … Read more
Oceana carries out campaigns to research and classify marine habitats in the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Once the data is analysed, Oceana scientists compile a formal protection proposal for the areas whose characteristics require it and measures are established to carry out and/or request the recuperation of the degraded environments. Reports … Read more
The work carried out by Oceana in the Galician Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay provides new information about areas of ecological interest to expand the network of marine protected areas. As such, Oceana contributes to the achievement of Spain’s objectives and commitments, including the EU Habitats Directive, the OSPAR convention and UN Biodiversity Convention … Read more
The Canary Island government compiled a list of species whose catch is prohibited, including crustaceans like the brown spiny lobster (Palinurus echinatus), molluscs from the genus Charonia spp., fish species like the Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis), the goldentail moray eel (Gymnothorax miliaris), etc., although this list was created only for commercial reasons. In addition, the … Read more
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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.
