2009.In honor of World Environment Day on June 5th and to implement the European Union’s commitment with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Spanish government announced the creation of ten new Marine Protected Areas in Spain’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Oceana has played a key role in identifying and proposing protection for marine areas of interest … Read more
Since sharks lack a swim bladder, they use oil in their livers to regulate their buoyancy. Deep-sea sharks, those living below 300 meters, have huge livers with more oil to adjust to these depths. As a result, they are caught by deep-sea trawls, gillnetts and longlines for an oily substance found in their livers called … Read more
Oceana leads campaigns to collect scientific data on cetacean sightings. This information is included in sea bottom studies to focus on the need to declare marine protected areas.Oceana also conducted specific studies on the status of cetaceans in the Galician and Bay of Biscay and the need to boost efforts to protect them. Selectivity … Read more
The common thresher shark is easily identified by the unusually long upper lobe of its caudal tail. Such a lengthy fin allows the shark to herd and stun small schooling fish such as mackerels, bluefishes, needlefishes and lantern fishes. The common thresher shark is highly vulnerable to overfishing worldwide. An important economic species that is … 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
The whale shark is the world’s largest fish, with an average length of 14-20 meters. Yet, their diet consists of one of the ocean’s smallest organisms — plankton. These filter-feeders can live to be 100 years old and may have up to 300 young per litter. A majority of whale sharks are caught before they … Read more
The Caribbean reef shark is found from the coast of North Carolina to the coast of Brazil, but not in European waters. As the name suggests, this species is found most often around corals reefs and is considered the most abundant reef shark in its region. The Caribbean reef shark is listed as “Near Threatened” by … 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.
