The true costs of overfishing in the Western Mediterranean

In the Western Mediterranean, overfishing remains a major issue, Oceana estimates that 60% of fish populations under the Western Mediterranean multiannual plan (West Med MAP) are subject to overfishing. France, Italy, and Spain are failing to sustainably manage valuable species such as hake, red mullet, and Norway lobster, threatening fish populations and putting the fishing … Read more

Fishing opportunities for 2025: progress in the Mediterranean amid uncertainty 

Brussels – Today, EU fisheries ministers have set fishing opportunities for stocks managed exclusively by the EU for 2025, in the Northeast Atlantic and in the Mediterranean Sea. Oceana values the progress made in the western Mediterranean, where France, Spain and Italy have taken decisions to reduce fishing pressure, including adopting remedial measures to recover … Read more

Rebuilding western Mediterranean fisheries: status and policy recommendations for 2025

The western Mediterranean multiannual plan (West Med MAP), introduced in 2019, is the EuropeanUnion’s primary framework for the conservation and sustainable management of demersal stocks in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Despite significant progress made through the West Med MAP, the target of sustainable fishing mortality rates in the Western Mediterranean remains far from being achieved. … Read more

Minister Chef: The ending overfishing challenge

In the ending overfishing challenge, Chef Michael shows us how overfishing is a recipe for disaster, and provides refreshing food-for-thought on how to build sustainable fisheries in Europe.

Rebuilding Western Mediterranean Fisheries

Recommendations to the EU on the setting of fishing opportunities for 2025

Joint NGO feedback to the European Commission on the “Sustainable fishing in the EU: State of play and orientations for 2025” consultation

This policy briefing provides analysis and recommendations to ensure the adoption of sustainable fishing opportunities that prioritise long-term ocean health through rebuilding fish populations, safeguarding and boosting ecosystem resilience in the face of mounting pressures like climate change, and fostering transparent and countable fisheries management.

Mediterranean inhabitants could bid farewell to beloved fish dishes if countries don’t curb overfishing

France, Spain and Italy must urgently recover hake from near commercial collapse and rebuild Norway lobster populations As Mediterranean inhabitants sit down to enjoy their favorite summer fish dishes, Oceana is reacting to a European Commission report by calling for more action to end overfishing and recover populations of European hake and Norway lobster. Oceana … Read more

Rebuilding western Mediterranean fisheries: has the western Mediterranean multiannual plan delivered? 2019-2024

This report explores the impact of the first five years of implementation of the western Mediterranean multiannual plan (also known as the ‘West Med MAP’, hereafter: ‘the MAP’), the first European Union fisheries management plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of a group of demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea. Over a decade … Read more

Progress in Western Mediterranean does not match urgency to recover fish populations, warns Oceana

France, Italy and Spain are failing to sustainably manage valuable species such as hake, red mullet or Norway lobster Reacting to today’s scientific evaluation of the EU’s Western Mediterranean multiannual fisheries management plan, Oceana highlights that, despite efforts to achieve the sustainable exploitation of demersal fish species by 2025, the pace of progress is not … Read more