Oceana calls on the EU to improve fisheries management for the most threatened species

The future of bluefin tuna, sharks and deep-sea species is in the hands of European Fisheries Ministers.

Press Release Date: December 17, 2013

Location: Madrid

Contact:

Marta Madina | email: mmadina@oceana.org | tel.: Marta Madina

Today the European Fisheries Council is discussing and agreeing measures for some of the most threatened stocks their fleets catch.

The international marine conservation organisation Oceana makes an urgent call to the EU Fisheries Council to adopt effective management plans that will stop the decline of these species and ensure recovery of their populations.

Among Oceana’s demands to the EU Fisheries Council are:

Deep-sea species TACs and Quotas for 2009 and 2010

  • To establish an immediate zero TAC for all deep-sea shark species and implement a plan to eliminate by-catches.
  • To close the fishery of orange roughy, consistent with scientific advice.
  • To reduce catches of deep-sea species including grenadiers, blue ling and red seabream to allow these species to recover, in line with scientific advice.

Pelagic sharks

  • That the EU pushes to prohibit targeted fisheries in the Atlantic for vulnerable and endangered pelagic species, including thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks and requiem sharks during the November ICCAT meeting.
  • That the EU pushes to establish catch limits/quotas for blue sharks and shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic by freezing the catches of blue sharks at the current level and by reducing shortfin mako shark catches at a limit that is safely within Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY).
  • To prohibit the practice of transhipment and landing shark fins and carcasses at separate harbours for all European fleets.

Bluefin tuna

  • That EU position in the November ICCAT meeting is to close the fishery until: an effective plan to eliminate overcapacity is in place, catches are reduced to comply with real fishing opportunities and scientific advice, fishing activities are prohibited during the critical spawning season, and protected areas have been created.

Note to the editor:

ICCATThe International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas is an inter-governmental fishery organisation responsible for the management of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic and adjacent seas (www.iccat.int) The member countries of ICCAT will meet in Marrakech in November to agree the future management of tuna and shark fishing.