New report: keep the small fish plentiful to ensure ocean health

Only one in six forage fish populations in the Northeast Atlantic is both sustainably exploited and in a healthy state, according to a report published by Oceana today. The marine conservation organisation is urging Northeast Atlantic countries to improve their management of these small fish, in advance of negotiations on fishing limits later this year. … Read more

Small but mighty: managing Northeast Atlantic forage fish to sustain marine life

Forage fish are small to medium-sized species that are often found in large aggregations, feeding on plankton and other small aquatic organisms. They play a crucial role in the ocean as a vital link in the food web, supporting marine wildlife, including marine mammals, seabirds, and fish species. However, the management of fisheries targeting these … Read more

Saving the Mediterranean from overfishing

After an uncomfortable night of sailing, battling strong winds and waves, the morning sun brought calmer weather to the Alboran Sea. Mother Nature seemed to be in a good mood, granting us the opportunity to spot several pods of common and striped dolphins, as well as various seabirds such as shearwaters, gulls and storm-petrels, which … Read more

Joint NGO feedback to the European Commission on the “Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2024” consultation

On behalf of BirdLife International, Blue Marine Foundation, ClientEarth, Dutch Elasmobranch Society, Ecologistas en Acción, Fair Seas Ireland, Oceana, Sciaena, Seas At Risk, The Fisheries Secretariat, and WWF, we present our response to the 2023 European Commission’s public consultation on the progress towards achieving more sustainable fisheries, the state of fish stocks and the setting … Read more

The cascade effect and trawling

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

Why are there more and more jellyfish in the sea?

In recent years we have seen how jellyfish have become increasingly important in the marine ecosystem. They have been around in the sea for hundreds of millions of years, and are a fundamental part of the marine ecosystem, but their presence is a source of great controversy, as they can affect tourism or fishing. They … Read more

Oceana flags three ocean priorities to be addressed by the EU Spanish presidency

Spain needs to ensure the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law, and show leadership on files related to the energy transition, catch limits, and seafood traceability Oceana urges the Spanish presidency of the EU Council to prioritise ocean-related issues during the second half of 2023, considering the dire climate and biodiversity crises in EU waters … Read more