200 scientists urge EU Parliament to invest in rebuilding fish stocks

Two hundred scientists have signed a letter urging the European Parliament to stop investing in the environmentally harmful subsidies that the Fisheries Committee has voted for. On October 23, the Parliament will vote on the new financial mechanism for fisheries for the next seven years– the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). “The Parliament cannot … Read more

A new era for European fisheries?

As the European Parliament plenary vote on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) approaches, we need to put pressure on MEPs to make sure that they vote for a fund that is in line with the new Common Fisheries Policy’s objectives. The new EMFF will define the way aid is granted to the European … Read more

Oceana urges caution in response to the fuel price crisis in the fisheries sector

Oceana, the international ocean conservation organisation, remains convinced that increasing fuel subsidies is not an appropriate response to rising fuel prices and urges governments to find longer term structural solutions to help the sector adapt to a future with higher fuel costs and ensure the long term sustainability of the sector. Oceana believes that governments … Read more

Oceana urges member states to eliminate pirate fishing

Today the European Commission published a Proposal for a Regulation to establish a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, by both the EU fleet wherever it fishes and for all vessels, including from third countries, in Europe’s seas.  A prohibition of imports from illegally caught fish, a tightening … Read more

The Galician Government subsidies “Monte Meixueiro”, one of the fishing vessels arrested by Norwegian patrols for illegal fishing

The detention by Norwegian patrols of two vessels flying Spanish flags, apprehended while catching Greenland halibut, has once again highlighted the wide-ranging practice of rogue fishing by companies that have received subsidies from Galician and Spanish authorities. One of the detained vessels, the Monte Meixueiro, belongs to the Vigo-based company Valiela, S.A., which has received … Read more

European Fisheries Subsidies

The fishing industry in the European Union (EU) receives a significant amount of government subsidies, which have promoted the overcapacity of European fishing fleets, resulting in overfishing1, and rendering fisheries in many European countries unprofitable and a poor investment for taxpayers. In 2011, Oceana released a study estimating the total expenditure in fishing sector subsidies … Read more

Oceana reaction to Council of Fisheries Ministers vote on EMFF

Last night, Fisheries Ministers passed one of the last hurdles in the negotiations on the reformed European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) by reaching an agreement on the criteria that will be used to determine how the money will be allocated and spent. While Oceana was pleased to see Ministers steer clear of reintroducing subsidies … Read more

OCEANA : LES ETATS MEMBRE ONT ALLOUE 4,9 MILLIARD D’EUROS SUPPLEMENTAIRES EN SUBVENTIONS POUR LE SECTEUR DE LA PÊCHE

Seulement 1% des aides d’Etat bénéficie à l’environnement marin, 65% potentiellement préjudiciables. En France, 30% des 663 millions alloués sont nuisibles à l’environnement. Oceana publie aujourd’hui les résultats de six mois d’analyse du montant réellement dépensé par les Etats membre en subventions à la pêche depuis 2000. Le rapport montre qu’aux 8 milliards d’euros d’aides … Read more