In the last 10 years, bluefin tuna fishing grounds have become highly profitable due to the big demand by the sushi and sashimi market. According to the last evaluation of the bluefin tuna stock in the East Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the increase in fishing pressure has caused a sharp decline in the population and … Read more
The most recent world report (FAO, 2005) estimates that, during the period from 1992 to 2001, 7.3 million tons of marine organisms were discarded each year around the world, representing 8% of the total catch. Unfortunately, the discarded specimens are not likely to survive and are often caught before they have had time to reproduce. … Read more
Fisheries management systematically ignores scientific advice and this goes against the principles of ecological sustainability and maintenance of exploitable stocks, which constitute the general objectives of the fisheries policy. EU countries have not shown the political will necessary to ensure compliance with CFP regulations. This favours the frequent illegalities committed by the sector both in … Read more
Oceana describes the priorities to be established within the amendment: The implementation of the precautionary principle and an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. The correct management of all fisheries through TACs– (Total allowable catches), effort control and technical measures. Fisheries in European Union waters and by European Union vessels should only be carried out … Read more
Longlining is a passive fishing technique using baited hooks. The full fishing gear consists of various branch lines – between 100 and 200 – which hang from a main line (kept on the surface by buoys) onto which the hooks are attached. In the case of the Spanish longlining fleet working in the Mediterranean, the … Read more
Nine of the 20 areas around the world with the highest amounts of fish discarded at sea (in terms of the amount of fish discarded compared to the amount landed) can be found in the North-East Atlantic. Six of these are fisheries worked by bottom trawling and the other three are worked by vessels that use … Read more
Thanks to Oceana, the European Court of Justice forced Italy to reimburse €7M it received in subsidies for the conversion or decommissioning of its fleet. Oceana proved that the fleet was never converted or decommissioned and that the funds were used to increase the fishing efforts. Oceana reported various vessels for illegal fishing, one of … Read more
In addition to the subsidies available under the official EU funds, Member States can take the initiative to provide additional funding to their sector under the state aid mechanism. These investments are only approved by the European Commission on the condition that the subsidies comply with the objectives of the European fisheries policy and do … Read more
Political commitment to correctly apply this system is fundamental and, as such, one of Oceana’s main objectives is to pressure and influence the decisions made concerning TACs. Oceana believes it is necessary to maintain the TAC system and has expressed this in its recommendations for the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as long as 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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