The race for threatened sharks

Sharks are extremely vulnerable species which have been fished by European Union vessels at home and around the world without any management for decades. Globally, 21% of shark, ray and chimaera populations are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List. In the Northeast Atlantic the figure is even higher with 26% threatened and … Read more

Failures of the Common Fisheries Policy

Fisheries management systematically ignores scientific advice and this goes against the principles of ecological sustainability and maintenance of exploitable stocks, which constitute the general objectives of the fisheries policy. EU countries have not shown the political will necessary to ensure compliance with CFP regulations. This favours the frequent illegalities committed by the sector both in … Read more

Oceana’s Recommendations for the Common Fisheries Policy

Oceana describes the priorities to be established within the amendment:   The implementation of the precautionary principle and an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. The correct management of all fisheries through TACs– (Total allowable catches), effort control and technical measures. Fisheries in European Union waters and by European Union vessels should only be carried out … Read more

European trawlers are destroying the oceans

Nearly 100,000 vessels make up the European Union fishing fleet. This includes boats that fish both in EU waters (the domestic fleet), in the waters of other countries and in international waters (the deep-sea fleet). In addition, there is an unknown number of vessels belonging to other European countries that are not members of the … Read more

New Oceana report shows depletion of prey fish may be starving the oceans

Oceana released a new report today finding widespread malnutrition in commercial and recreational fish, marine mammals and seabirds because of the global depletion of the small fish they need to survive.  These “prey fish” underpin marine food webs and are being steadily exhausted by heavy fishing, increasing demand for aquaculture feed, and climate change.   … Read more