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

Deep sea fisheries: the truth is revealed

France’s position on the reform of European deep-sea fishing regulations is even less justifiable in the light of this new information. On 2 July 2014, the French Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) released data on the activities of French deep-sea bottom trawlers that non-government organizations (NGOs) have been demanding since national multi-stakeholder … Read more

Portugal protects over 2 million km2 from trawling

Oceana calls for the ban to be extended to other fisheries in Portugal and the rest of the EU The Portuguese government has issued a decree prohibiting all deep-sea fishing – with the exception of longlining, which is authorized under certain conditions – in an area spanning 2,280,000 km2, to promote sustainable fisheries and the … Read more

The seamounts of the Gorringe Bank

The Gorringe Bank, located 1600 nautical miles SW off the Portuguese coast, has been object of several studies since it was discovered in 18875 by Captain Henry Honeychurch Gorringe and his crew. After that, in the twentieth century, Prince Alberto I of Monaco developed various campaigns in the area. Ever since, several studies have taken place … Read more

Spain ignores scientific evidence and blocks the UN proposal for protecting sea beds against bottom trawling

“It is an alarmist report with no scientific foundation”. With these disparaging words, Fernando Curcio, the Spanish government’s General Director of Fisheries Resources, dismissed the results of a study prepared under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The report was presented in London at the beginning … Read more

Spain, Portugal, France and Poland turn their backs on fisheries management and support depleting deep-sea fish stocks

According to the international organisation for marine research and conservation, Oceana, once again a group of European countries, led by Spain, France, Portugal and Poland are attempting to destroy any initiative taken to stop the deterioration of fish species and marine ecosystems. These governments have continually ignored the warnings given by the scientific community regarding … Read more