Changing Paradigms in Seagrass Restoration

Sharing experiences and results among scientists and managers working on seagrass restoration was the main objective of the first European Seagrass Restoration Workshop that gathered researchers from around Europe. The meeting was the first forum in Europe that allowed for scientists, NGOs, and managers to interact and share their experiences relating to seagrass restoration and … Read more

An estimate of the total catch in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea and Gulf of Cadiz regions (1950-2010)

The underestimation of fisheries removals is a global issue that spans countries from different continents and different socio-economic situations. Underestimation of catches is especially important in countries where fishing fleets are highly diversified, the enforcement of fishing management is low, data availability is poor, and there is high demand for fish products in local markets. … Read more

New depth record of the precious red coral Corallium rubrum for the Mediterranean

Live colonies of the precious red coral Corallium rubrum have previously been recorded at depths of 600-800 m in the Sicily Channel, but deep-water populations of this species remain poorly known. During a recent research expedition within the 25 nautical mile Fisheries Management Zone around the Maltese Islands, numerous colonies growing deeper than 800 m, … Read more

Marine Insurance and IUU Fishing: Questions and answers

OCEANA IS MOBILISING THE GLOBAL MARINE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN TAKING ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING. Read and sign the statement: Assisting ocean stewardship through marine insurance: The insurance industry’s statement against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU fishing) In the coming months and years, Oceana is hoping to engage in open dialogue with insurers, working with them to develop … Read more

Recent evidence that the deep sea around Malta is a biodiversity hotspot

Recent ROV surveys of deep-sea areas around the Maltese Islands resulted in the discovery of highly diverse habitats, including extensive rocky areas dominated by living cold water corals and gorgonians at depths of 300–1000 m, a sub-fossil lithistid sponge reef at a depth of ca. 300 m, deep-water caves located at 270–450 m, and vast … Read more

Estimates of total fisheries removal for the Balearic Islands (1950-2010)

For effective fisheries management to be able to act, realistic fisheries removal data are needed, so as to assess exploitation levels and the impact of fisheries on the ecosystem. Unfortunately, official statistics underestimate catches in most countries and regions. In the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean), where artisanal fishing and industrial bottom trawling are the most … Read more

North Western Waters. Status and Potential Productivity of Fish Stocks

The European Union is failing to responsibly manage its fish resources. Despite several international commitments and EU framework regulations on sustainable fisheries, the status of fish stocks is still far from being considered as healthy. Overfishing in the EU continues to affect a large proportion of fish stocks. In the North Western Waters (NWW) the … Read more