The ocean is key to tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies Life on Earth depends on the ocean: no matter where you are, you depend on the ocean and its unique and rich biodiversity for the production of oxygen, food, energy, and the enormous amount of heat and carbon it absorbs. Yet, as United Nations … Read more
Summary Seven years after the last reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) entered into force, the EU, which has exclusive competence in this area, is yet to succeed in fulfilling its objectives. Implementation and enforcement challenges remain, often due to Member States’ inaction, insufficient oversight by the European Commission and industry resistance to change. … Read more
The UK’s decision to leave the EU and to regain control of its waters has considerable implications for the management of North East Atlantic Fisheries. The results derived from the implementation of new UK domestic regulations and international fisheries agreements will have a direct impact on the status of fish stocks and the socio-economic performance … Read more
Visit our online viewer to explore threats in European MPAs in more detail Executive Summary In the face of intense human pressure on European seas, a network of well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine biodiversity protection. In 2018, the EU (including, at the time, the United Kingdom) declared having met international targets … Read more
Some Member States are considering increasing annual quota flexibility from current 10% to 25% as a COVID-19 crisis response. In this short paper, we explain why this approach is risky from legal, environmental and economic point of view and call on the Member States and the European Commission to oppose any such attempts. Alternative measures … Read more
Since 2003, the GFCM has designated 6 Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs) in its area of competence. However, the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) of these critically important areas for the conservation of fisheries resources has been challenging and uneven. The lack of transparency and information concerning vessels authorised to fish inside these areas has undermined … Read more
Preventing public disclosure of information is a major impediment to achieving sustainable fisheries management and stringent fisheries enforcement. This problem is characterised by a lack of information on important elements of who is authorised to fish, where, when, how and what. Disclosure of information on the beneficial ownership of fishing vessels, and records of non-compliance … Read more
In 2017, the MedFish4Ever Ministerial Declaration was adopted by 16 countries and the European Union. It contained a forward-thinking commitment, not seen anywhere else, to protect Essential Fish Habitats (EFH) in the Mediterranean Sea and support fish stock rebuilding. This commitment was later translated into a GCM decision to create a network of Mediterranean EFs … Read more
Blue Manifesto: A rescue plan that works In January 2020, over 100 organisations, led by the ‘Blue NGOs’ —BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and WWF— launched the Blue Manifesto, a rescue plan outlining specific actions to protect our oceans and coastlines. Each year since, the six NGOs have tracked the … Read more
The waters of the North Sea surrounding Aberdeenshire (Figure 1) are characterised by a wide range of geological and geomorphological features that, in turn, host a diverse array of marine biotypes and species. One area of particular interest is the Southern Trench, located along the south coast of the Moray Firth. The origin of this … 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.
