Sustainable Fisheries Archives

Cypriot fishers urge the adoption of a national strategy to secure the future of small-scale fishing

Small-scale fishers call for the implementation of EU fisheries rules and preferential access to marine resources, viable livelihoods and generational renewal Cypriot small-scale fishers have called for action by national authorities to restore fish stocks, secure preferential access for low-impact fishing to marine resources and create viable economic opportunities for coastal fishing communities. At a … Read more

International perspectives on the EU Common Fisheries Policy: why strong EU rules matter

The European Union’s (EU) fishing fleet operates extensively in EU waters, in the Exclusive Economic Zones of non-EU countries, and in areas beyond national jurisdiction. These activities are governed by the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which sets the framework for managing EU fisheries and promoting long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability. To better understand … Read more

Oceana urges EU leaders to support low impact fishers

Cyprus concludes EU Council Presidency with high-level event on islands and coastal communities Ahead of the high-level conference on islands and coastal communities, organised by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, Oceana urges the EU to use the upcoming Ocean Act to ensure low-impact fishers get preferential access to coastal waters over industrial fishing fleets. This would support local economies and strengthen the resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate … Read more

Debunking common myths about fisheries

Few issues in ocean conservation are as misunderstood as fisheries. The way fisheries are managed can determine the health of marine ecosystems, the future of fish populations, and the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. Still, the conversation around fisheries is often framed in extremes: fishing is either destroying the ocean or saving coastal communities. … Read more

Enforcing EU fisheries rules will strengthen competitiveness, resilience and food security, says Oceana

Since the 2013 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, EU fisheries have made progress towards sustainability, but gaps in implementation hinder success Brussels – The European Commission has published today its evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) for seafood products, assessing the performance of the EU´s fisheries framework since its 2013 … Read more

Informal meeting of Directors-General and Attachés for fisheries

Dear Director Argyrou, As you convene over the next three days in Cyprus with your counterparts from across the EU Member States to discuss and shape the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), we, the undersigned leading environmental organisations across Europe, wish to express our deep concerns regarding the recent call by some Member States, under the … Read more

Joint letter to keep the EU on track to meet its sustainable fisheries management objectives

Dear President Von der Leyen, On behalf of Europe’s leading environmental organisations BirdLife, BLOOM, ClientEarth, Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, Pew, Seas At Risk, The Nature Conservancy and WWF, we are writing to express our serious concern about the growing push to use the EU’s simplification agenda to reopen core fisheries legislation through a so-called “Fisheries … Read more

Mediterranean Fishing Vessels Required to Obtain Permanent Identification Numbers to Increase Transparency

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean agreed to new transparency measures for all fishing vessels measuring 20 meters (~65 feet) or more in length, following campaigning by Oceana and our allies. Specifically, vessels will be required to have International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers. An IMO number is a permanent and unique identifier that stays with a vessel throughout its lifespan, even if its name, … Read more

Tampering with EU Fisheries Policy would ‘open Pandora’s Box’, NGOs warn

Brussels, 30 March 2026.- Today, Fisheries Ministers from EU Member States meet with the European Commission for the AGRIFISH Council. On this occasion, Oceana, BLOOM, ClientEarth, Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB), Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Seas At Risk and WWF EU handed a symbolic ”Pandora’s Box” to the EU Commissioner Costas Kadis, sending a clear message … Read more

Oceana sets out roadmap for a resilient and competitive seafood sector by 2040

The contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on the Vision 2040 provides strategic input to develop the EU Ocean Pact Brussels – Oceana has submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on the Vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture, highlighting key risks and proposing practical solutions to ensure the EU seafood sector is sustainable, competitive, and resilient by 2040. This strategy is part of the European Ocean Pact, … Read more