Oceana has asked the EU to maintain the 2007 deadline for the elimination of the obsolete mercury cell technology in chlorine-alkaline plants and to put a similar programme to the one used by the United States into operation, by 2008, in order to put an end to one of the leading sources of mercury pollution. … Read more
The scale of economic dependence on deep-sea fisheries in Europe is low, according to new information presented today by the European Commission during a Fisheries Committee debate in the European Parliament in Brussels. Oceana values the contribution from the Commission, which further justifies measures that have been proposed for improving the sustainability of deep-sea fisheries … Read more
At this very moment, EU Member States are developing their six-year plans on how they will be using fisheries subsidies (mostly funded by taxpayer money) they will be receiving once the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is finalized. As part of the design process of these Operational Programmes, several countries (though, unfortunately, not … Read more
Today, on World Oceans Day, Oceana urges the prioritization of scientific research into overlooked and fragile deep sea areas. Despite a massive gap in knowledge of deep sea areas, destructive activities are authorized without any clear insight into their impact on local ecosystems. Slow-growing and vulnerable species and habitats are facing potentially irreversible damage. “Activities … Read more
If asked, “would you spread liver oil from threatened deep-sea sharks on your face?” most people would probably answer “no” – yet many European consumers may do so unwittingly, because they have no way of knowing whether a common cosmetic ingredient is sourced from sharks or from plant alternatives. Oceana is calling on cosmetic manufacturers … Read more
Yesterday, the European Commission released a communication on the state of European fish stocks, and its guidelines for proposing fishing opportunities for 2014. Oceana is concerned by the stark imbalance between the state of European fish stocks in the Atlantic, where they have seen a marked recovery and 39% are considered overfished, and in the … Read more
The European Parliament and Fisheries Council reached a political agreement early this morning on the main elements of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Oceana congratulates MEP Rodust and the Irish presidency for their enormous accomplishment in ensuring that the future Common Fisheries Policy will restore the health of our seas. “As a first … Read more
Split, Croatia – The 37th annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) closed with the failure to take strong action in addressing the dramatic state of Mediterranean fish stocks. Oceana is appalled by the inertia of this Commission and concerned that this is a negative starting point for the reform of an … Read more
At 6 am this morning, in Brussels, after 36 hours of negotiations, the 27 fisheries ministers of the European Union agreed on a new mandate for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. While details are still coming in, the public debate and press conference indicated that while some movement has been made, the final … Read more
This article originally appeared in the EU Observer on May 13th, 2013. As EU fish ministers meet in Brussels today and tomorrow (13-14 May) the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is on the brink of a crucial step in its reform process This is where things stand: on 6 February, an overwhelming majority of MEPs supported … 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.
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