A wish list for the oceans: 10 priorities for 2016

Oceana has listed 10 key ocean issues that should be prioritised in 2016, and calls on decision-makers to set ambitious policies for tackling them. The international marine conservation organisation asks countries to walk the talk after having adopted the Paris Agreement at COP21, “noting how important it is to ensure the integrity of all ecosystems, … Read more

Baltic cod loses sustainable certification

Today, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has suspended its certificates for all Eastern Baltic cod fisheries. Oceana, having previously warned about the bad condition of Baltic cod stocks, supports the decision and urges EU member states to react appropriately and adopt a sustainable long-term management plan consistent with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. … Read more

Oceana: Fisheries Ministers refuse to put an end to overfishing

Early this morning in Brussels, EU Fisheries Ministers reached an agreement on the catch limits for the main commercial fish stocks in Atlantic waters for 2016. Oceana describes the agreement as disappointing and deplores the lack of ambition fisheries ministers have demonstrated to honour the commitments agreed in the Common Fisheries Policy, in particular the … Read more

NGOs welcome European Commission proposal to increase control and transparency of EU fleet fishing worldwide

A proposal published today by the European Commission that would close loopholes in the regulation governing the European Unions (EU)’s long-distance fishing fleet has been welcomed by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts and WWF. “The European Commission’s proposal reinforces the EU’s commitment to combatting illegal fishing globally,” said María José … Read more

Oceana fishing opportunities recommendations for 2016. North East Atlantic stocks

The establishment of fishing opportunities is the most important management tool to enable European Union (EU) fisheries to keep fishing mortality rates within sustainable levels. In fact, the state of fish stocks and intensity of fish resource exploitation depends heavily on the fishing opportunities decision. Although the manner in which fisheries are managed in the … Read more

Mediterranean swordfish: from the plate to the politicians’ table

Finally, Mediterranean swordfish has been recognised as an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. This is music to the ears of us at Oceana as we’ve been campaigning for this issue for many years. Finally, politicians have reacted to the terrible situation that has developed: after 30 years of overfishing, the stock is just … Read more

Oceana welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for 2016 Atlantic fishing limits

Today, the European Commission released its annual proposal of total allowable catches (TACs) for the main commercial fish species in North East Atlantic waters for 2016. Oceana has welcomed the proposal that sets a key milestone towards ending overfishing by 2020, but is disappointed that the Commission has failed to fully meet catch reductions advised by scientists … Read more