Bottom Trawling Archives

Oceana uncovers dozens of cases of illegal fishing in protected areas in the Mediterranean

Version française | Versione italiana Oceana launched today a report uncovering 41 potential cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Mediterranean Sea using data from Global Fishing Watch. The findings were submitted and discussed at two governmental meetings of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)1, during which countries failed to provide clarification … Read more

Joint NGO priorities on the Multi-annual plan for the Western Mediterranean Sea (WMedMAP)

The Commission’s proposal is a first step in the right direction to tackle the long-lasting overfishing situation in the Mediterranean Sea and realise the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)’s objectives of achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) by 2020 and minimize fisheries impacts on the ecosystems. However, the WMedMAP is clearly insufficient as it stands to reverse … Read more

La nuova proposta dell’UE non salva il Mediterraneo

Oceana lancia un appello all’UE per aumentare la profondità del divieto di pesca a strascico a 150 m durante tutto l’anno per invertire l’allarmante situazione di un mare sovrasfruttato.Il consiglio dell’UE inizia a dibattere oggi una nova proposta per un piano di gestione pluriennale degli stock ittici nel mar Mediterraneo occidentale. La nuova proposta della … Read more

1,400 square kilometers in the Balearic Islands protected from destructive fishing

After four years of Oceana’s campaigning for increased protections, Spain announced a ban on bottom trawling and other destructive fishing methods in a 1,400 square kilometer region between Mallorca and Menorca. The Spanish government also expanded the protected area in Fort d’en Moreu, a vibrant reef to the east of Cabrera that has been threatened … Read more

Oceana celebrates deep-sea trawling ban covering 4.9 million km2

This afternoon, after 4 years of on-and-off negotiations, the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU have announced a final agreement on new regulation for deep-sea fisheries in the North-East Atlantic. In a preliminary reaction, and pending final details of the agreement, Oceana warmly welcomes this clear step forward in the management of … Read more

Oceana Wins Protection for Essential Fish Habitats in the Strait of Sicily

Following campaigning by Oceana, three Fisheries Restricted Areas were created by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in the Strait of Sicily, protecting 1,493 square km between Italy, Malta and Tunisia from bottom trawling and preserving nursery areas. By preserving these areas, essential fish habitats for commercial fisheries stocks, a key step has … Read more

Deep-Sea Trawling Ban Protects 4.9 million km2 in Atlantic Ocean

Oceana in Europe campaigned with our colleagues in the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition for the prohibition of deep sea bottom trawling in the North East Atlantic waters. This victory provides increased protection for vulnerable marine ecosystems and deep-sea sharks. The European Parliament, Council and Commission reached an agreement that bans all trawling below 800m depth … Read more

Bottom Trawling

Thank you for your support! #BANBOTTOMTRAWLING PETITION DELIVERED TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION What is bottom trawling? Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive methods to catch fish. Its extensive use for commercial fishing causes a high impact on marine ecosystems, often resulting in irreversible damage to sensitive habitats (such as maërl … Read more

Too precious to be lost

The ongoing discussions in the circle of EU bodies will soon determine the future of red coral in EU waters. In the current situation, it would be appropriate to ask the question: “will a future for red coral in Europe be guaranteed?” The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is an organization in charge … Read more

PORTUGAL PROÍBE A PESCA COM ARRASTE EM MAIS DE 2 MILHÕES DE KM2

A SUPERFÍCIE INTERDITA ÀS ARTES DE PESCA DESTRUTIVAS EM ÁGUAS PROFUNDAS QUADRUPLICA EM AREA O TAMANHO DA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA A OCEANA PEDE QUE ESTA PROIBIÇÃO SEJA ESTENDIDA PARA O RESTO DAS PESQUERÍAS DE PORTUGAL E DA UE O Governo português proibiu por decreto de lei todas as artes de pesca de fundo –exceptuando o palangre, … Read more