After decision-makers having aired the agreement on fishing subsidies reached by EU fisheries ministers last week as a great victory, the time has come to pose a couple of uncomfortable questions: Is this really the best way of investing taxpayer money to promote fishing activities? Moreover, will these funds become actually spent, or will they … Read more
Today, the European Commission presented its proposal on fishing opportunities for 2013, for Atlantic fish stocks that falls n within the exclusive competence of EU Member States. Oceana welcomes the proposal, as it establishes catch limits for most stocks that pave the way to the needed sustainability targets. “The European Commission has taken a step … Read more
Yesterday, the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers discussed the 2013 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea in Luxembourg. Oceana is pleased with the Council decisions on cod, plaice, herring and sprat but disappointed in the decision to set the TAC for Baltic Salmon more than twice as high as the number given by scientific advice. “The … Read more
Employment and Social Affairs Committee takes right step towards sustainable fisheries. Yesterday, the Regional Development Committee adopted its opinion on the future financing mechanism for fisheries in the EU (EMFF). Surprisingly and very disappointingly, the Members of this Committee supported amendments that allowed for building new boats, vessel modernization and subsidies for new engines, which … Read more
This week, three EU Parliament Committees will lay the foundation for the future financial mechanism for fisheries, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Oceana urges the Members of Parliament to vote against harmful subsidies that promote overfishing and an oversized unsustainable fleet. “Members of Parliament need to realize that without fish, there will be … Read more
Loophole in EU law allows shark liver oil captured illegally around the world to reach EU consumers as Omega-3. Oceana has called upon the European Commission to amend weak EU laws that leave European markets open to liver oil from illegally caught deep-sea sharks. In recent months, vessels which are internationally blacklisted because of previous … Read more
Yesterday the European Parliament voted on part of the Common Fisheries Policy reform package, the outcome of which, despite a close vote, is disappointing according to Oceana: “We are disappointed by the lack of ambition shown today by the European Parliament. The decision to reject the objective to recover and restore fish stocks above levels … Read more
The European Commission has confirmed it will work with Norway to end discards in the Skagerrak. The proposal features an obligation to land all catches of certain fish species so as to stop the practice of discarding by 2015. Oceana welcomes this initiative and urges EU Member States to keep this measure in the new … Read more
Yesterday, a United Kingdom court ruled against two Spanish shipowners connected with the notorious pirate shipowners Antonio Vidal Suárez and Antonio Vidal Pego. The court has imposed a fine of 1.62 Million pounds for falsifying documentation on catches of overexploited hake, for which the quota was overshot. Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe … Read more
Deep-sea species and habitats are extremely vulnerable to exploitation. Today, the European Commission published a strong draft regulation establishing access requirements and conditions applicable to deep sea fisheries in the Atlantic. Oceana is pleased with this significant step towards the sustainable use of deep marine resources and the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems. Among the … 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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