Since 2013, when fishing vessels became eligible to apply for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) numbers, these seven-digit identifiers have gained global recognition as an invaluable tool for vessel identification. Unlike call signs, names, flags, or other registration numbers, IMO numbers remain consistent and permanent throughout a vessel’s lifecycle, from construction to dismantling. They need to … Read more
In this briefing, we present an analysis of the available information on the ultimate ownership of vessels fishing in the GFCM Convention area. We highlight best practices from other RFMOs that disclose beneficial ownership information within their authorized vessel lists. Based on those assessments, we offer recommendations to improve transparency in the GFCM and facilitate … Read more
Ahead of the 17th session of the Compliance Committee (CoC) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Rome, Italy, ClientEarth, Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy and WWF, who work together to protect the Mediterranean Sea against the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are … Read more
Illegal fishing is depleting the ocean, and it takes place because it is a profitable business. To effectively address this problem, it is not enough to sanction a fishing vessel or putting a fine on its captain, we must target the economic incentives that fuel such activities. These are businesses that ultimately profit from illegal … Read more
Oceana’s report shows that sanctioned vessels repeatedly switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) while fishing The Spanish Directorate-General for Merchant Shipping has issued fines of up to €60,000 per vessel following a review of Oceana’s investigation The Spanish government has sanctioned 25 Spanish-flagged fishing vessels for turning off their tracking devices while fishing off … Read more
New Measures Would Allow Authorities to tackle non-compliance and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing As officials from Mediterranean countries gather this week for the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) annual session in Croatia, NGOs are urging the adoption of a system of corrective measures that would allow the GFCM to tackle illegal, … Read more
Ahead of the forty-sixth session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Split, Croatia Oceana, together with Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, ClientEarth, Environmental Justice Foundation, MedReAct, Pew Charitable Trust, and WWF, who work together to protect the Mediterranean Sea against the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are calling on … Read more
The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council agreed a new law that requires all European Union (EU) fishing vessels, including 49,000 small-scale vessels, to install and use tracking systems by 2030 at the latest. Tracking systems have numerous benefits for the ocean, including promoting sustainable fisheries by increasing transparency about fishing activities. Simultaneously, … Read more
The organisation worked tirelessly with fishers, NGOs, and vessel-tracking companies to make this victory a reality The new Fisheries Control Regulation will benefit the ocean and its ecosystems as well as EU fishers Brussels.- Oceana applauds the approval by the Member States’ representatives and the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament of the new Fisheries … 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.
