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
EU citizens are urged to participate in the Public consultation before June 16th Oceana denounces the European Commission plan to develop deep-sea mining operations, and appeals to EU citizens to oppose this destructive activity by participating in the public consultation, which is open until June 16th, 2014. Deep-sea mining is one of the most extreme … Read more
Fish, squids and corals full of organisms whose names you can’t even begin to pronounce – our oceans are brimming with life. Yet sometimes it seems that many on land have forgotten that life once began in the ocean and still plays a big role in maintaining the balance on this planet. Even in this … Read more
Oceana welcomes yesterday’s decisions adopted by the Mediterranean countries and the EU at the Barcelona Convention to protect eleven species of deep-sea corals and implement the Action Plan on Dark Habitats. This scientific document, partly drafted by Oceana, will enable the creation of marine protected areas for seamounts, submarine canyons and caves. “To have eleven … Read more
Mediterranean countries and the EU decided to protect 11 species of deep-sea corals at the 18th COP to the Barcelona Convention. They also decided to implement the Action Plan on Dark Habitats, a scientific document drafted in part by Oceana, which will enable the creation of marine protected areas in deep-sea habitats like seamounts, submarine … Read more
Mediterranean countries and the EU decided to protect 11 species of deep-sea corals at the 18th COP to the Barcelona Convention. They also decided to implement the Action Plan on Dark Habitats, a scientific document drafted in part by Oceana, which will enable the creation of marine protected areas in deep-sea habitats like seamounts, submarine … Read more
We often see it on TV – beautiful tropical coral reefs with sun rays travelling through blue water and colourful fish swimming around happily. But what happens hundreds of metres below the surface? Well, basically the same thing – except the image is that of cold water coral reefs in total darkness with stranger looking … Read more
Oceana will be bringing the marine perspective to WILD10, the 10th World Wilderness Congress, held in Salamanca between 4 and 10 October. The international marine conservation organization will display photographs from its expeditions and Xavier Pastor, executive director of Oceana in Europe and WILD10 ambassador, will give a talk on deep-sea corals. “Conferences like WILD10 … Read more
This delay goes against the position of many Mediterranean countries, which value the vulnerability of these species and their significance to marine ecosystems. This is a case similar to what happened with the protection of several species of threatened sharks and rays, which the EU blocked for more than one year before finally giving up … Read more
The situation for corals in the Mediterranean is alarming. Climate changes, contamination and destructive fishing practices are causing accelerated deterioration of this sea’s corals. For this reason, Oceana and the Fondazione Zegna demand urgent protection measures in the report “Corals of the Mediterranean”, presented today in the CaixaForum auditorium in Palma de Mallorca, in which … 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.
