Mismanagement leads to vast fish stock overexploitation in the EU

14 stocks of species as common as cod, sole and haddock are at levels below safe biological limits Today, the European Commission unveiled an updated assessment of the status of fish resources and established guidelines for the allocation of next year’s fishing opportunities. Oceana wants to call attention to the regrettable state of stocks and … Read more

Parliament environment committee takes a stand on fisheries reform

Brussels, 8 May 2012 – A broad coalition of civil society groups praised the European Parliament environment committee for its strong stand today on EU fisheries reform. In a vote on the reform of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the members of the Parliament overwhelmingly supported measures to recover fish stocks, promote environmental protection … Read more

23 Nations Support Shark Conservation in the Mediterranean

For the first time in its 60-year history, the FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean took action for shark protection. The Commission adopted measures for the management and conservation of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean, the region of highest risk in the world for these fishes. Twenty-three Mediterranean countries endorsed a proposal from … Read more

Study shows fisheries council irresponsilility led to collapse of North Sea cod

On the eve of the Fisheries Council discussions in Luxembourg, Oceana draws attention to a new paper [1] co-authored by fisheries scientist Dr. Rainer Froese and resource economist Martin Quaas, linking the Council’s poor decisions and disregard for scientific advice to the collapse of North Sea cod. The international marine conservation organization is urging Council … Read more

Oceana statement on taxation of energy products Parliament vote

Today, the European Parliament voted on their consultation to the Commission proposal on the taxation of energy products and electricity. In addition to official aid provided by the European Union and state aid from Member States, European fishing vessels also benefit from a tax exemption on fuel. A large majority of Members of the European … Read more

A holistic approach to fisheries management

Last week, we held an event at the European parliament to raise awareness around a concept that is near and dear to us. The event, which brought together scientists, politicians, policy experts  and civil society, was designed to start a discussion on how best to implement an ecosystem-based approach (don’t worry, read further down, we’ll … Read more

Good news for some of the Spaniards fish Favorites

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) has launched a campaign to collect data on stocks and the ecosystem in which they live some of the most consumed species in Spain. Anchovies, sardines and mackerel among other pelagic species (i.e. fish living in the water column) will be studied in the region Northwest of the Iberian … Read more

Sweden steps up the fight against EU-wide discards

Sweden has stepped up the fight for an EU-wide ban on discards, as rural affairs minister Eskil Erlandsson arrived in Brussels to outline his vision for an ‘ethical and fair’ fishing programme. Discarding refers to the process whereby unwanted fish caught are thrown back into the sea because they aren’t valuable enough or quotas have … Read more