Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is an emblematic species that has been driven close to extinction in the past by overfishing and international trade demand. The most recent scientific assessments show signs of recovery, but uncertainties remain about the status of bluefin in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Bluefin tuna is a top … Read more
Sharks throughout the world’s oceans are subjected to high catch levels in fisheries, as both targeted and incidental catches. Globally, scientists have noted that three-quarters of oceanic pelagic sharks and rays have an increased risk of extinction as a result of overfishing. Sharks are caught in conjunction with many ICCAT fisheries, including by some longline … Read more
Oceana calls on the Council of Ministers to correct these deficiencies and guarantee the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources. Oceana applauds the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) reduction the European Commission presented yesterday in Brussels to regulate fishing of the EU’s most important species in 2011. However, the international marine conservation organisation believes that, in some … Read more
Oceana, the world’s largest international ocean conservation organization, is calling for the protection of the ocean’s top predators at the 17th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Paris, France, November 17 to 27. Specifically, Oceana is seeking protections for several vulnerable and overexploited species vital to maintaining … Read more
Though failing to improve protections for bluefin tuna, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) increased the number of shark species prohibited for retention in ICCAT fisheries. Specifically, the group improved conservation measures for oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks and shortfin mako sharks. In addition, ICCAT put in place new measures to … Read more
The countdown to ICCAT is coming up – for those of you who don’t know much about it, keep an eye on our blog this month, we’ll be sharing tidbits about the conference, the important issues at stake and the fate of some of our favorite marine animals: the bluefin tuna, the swordfish and the … Read more
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) meets once again to decide the future of large pelagic species like sharks, swordfish, bluefin tuna and albacore, among others. ICCAT manages the so-called Highly Migratory Species in the Atlantic Ocean. These fish are commercially exploitable species that develop their life cycles in waters around … Read more
On Tuesday this week, the European Union fisheries ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss their position for the upcoming meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) – they rejected the EU Executive arm’s proposal to cut the Bluefin tuna quota for 2011. The Mediterranean countries (including France, Spain, Greece and … Read more
The Biodiversity Summit in Japan is kicking off week 2 and we thought we’d give you a recap with some highlights and news stories from last week. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity released a report highlighted the enourmous (but necessary) cost of altering the global economy to put value on forests, reefs and other … Read more
In light of tomorrow’s EU Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting, Oceana strongly urges increased protection for endangered bluefin tuna, swordfish and sharks, and reminds the EU of its commitment to restore fish stocks to the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The Ministers will be discussing the EU position for the upcoming meeting of the Contracting Parties … 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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