Oceana and its allies defended the European Union’s main fisheries law from attacks, including attempts to overturn the discard ban, which was the subject of strong lobbying by the industrial fishing sector. Adopted in 2013, the Common Fisheries Policy has led EU fisheries to become increasingly more sustainable by adhering to principles such as science-based … Read more
Brussels – Reacting to today’s release by the European Commission of its package of communications to protect fisheries and the ocean, Oceana considers it an attempt to put a thin green veneer over business as usual. In the midst of the growing climate and biodiversity crises – the biggest challenge of our generation, urgent action … Read more
Today, the European Commission is releasing its package of communications to protect fisheries and the ocean. Its content defines the European Commission’s ocean ambition for marine protection, decarbonisation of the fishing industry and sustainable fisheries management for the remainder of its mandate. Here we speak to Oceana colleagues, Nicolas Fournier – director of habitat protection, … Read more
Solutions identified for reducing fleet emissions would help achieve climate targets Brussels – As the European Commission prepares to publish a strategy to accelerate the energy transition in the EU fisheries sector, a new report published today by Oceana looks into solutions to reduce fuel use to support this transition. The report finds that there … Read more
This report investigates technical and strategic solutions to reduce fuel use in the EU fleet sector and aims to support the energy transition of the EU fleet. There are existing solutions to reduce fuel use in fisheries, from technical solutions to more extensive changes such as phasing out the more energy hungry fishing techniques and … Read more
Today the EU and UK have reached an agreement on 76 catch limits for their shared fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic and North Sea for 2023. The agreement resulted in an increase in the number of catch limits (also known as Total Allowable Catches – TACs) set in line with scientific advice compared to … Read more
The Mediterranean and European eel have proven particularly contentious issues Brussels – Today, EU ministers at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting (AGRIFISH) have reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2023 for populations managed exclusively by the EU. This includes 26 catch limits for the Northeast Atlantic, as well as fishing effort restrictions for … Read more
Executive Summary European countries have committed to restore and maintain populations of commercial fish species above sustainable levels. However, despite some progress made during recent years, the status of some fish stocks continues to be in a critical state. Thus, based on the latest available scientific information, Oceana has identified the over 20 depleted fish … Read more
Brussels – To mark World Fisheries Day, environmental NGOs created a visual reminder of how large and plentiful fish once were, outside the Council meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers. NGOs urged the ministers and the Commissioner responsible for ocean and fisheries to return EU fish populations to their former abundance and finally end … 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.
Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.
