Today, Oceana is launching an expedition to the Alboran Sea to document fisheries and gather evidence of the impact caused by bottom trawling on vulnerable seabed habitats and iconic species. The data gathered will serve as evidence to show EU decision-makers that bottom trawling in marine protected areas must be prohibited. Pascale Moehrle, Executive Director … Read more
Abstract Isidella elongata is a candelabrum-shaped alcyonacean forming important facies on the bathyal muddy bottoms of the Mediterranean Sea, currently considered a sensitive habitat and heavily impacted by deep-sea fisheries. Until a few decades ago, this facies was a widespread habitat of the deep Mediterranean seabed and I. elongata was a common species in the … Read more
We have all heard the term “cascade effect” used to refer to how a government decision, a war, a political event, or other situation impacts society, the economy, prices, and so on. This expression is also used in ecology to explain how human action, a catastrophic event, or a particular incident, for instance, can have … Read more
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
So far, most climate research has focused on how fisheries will be affected by climate change, rather than on how they contribute to it. But it is becoming clear that bottom trawling can impact the climate crisis in two major ways: firstly, through the burning of fossil fuels to catch, transport and process seafood, and … Read more
Bottom trawling is a highly unselective and destructive fishing gear widely used in Europe. According to the European Environment Agency, it is the #1 source of seabed disturbance in coastal areas, which are the most productive and sensitive parts of our ocean. 1/6: THE 7 SINS OF seabed disturbance in coastal area Download this infographic … 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.
