Today, after eighteen months of negotiations, the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament finally voted on the reform of the basic regulation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This was an historical vote, because it was the first time the EU Parliament – the voice of European citizens – is acting as a co-legislator in … Read more
Today, the Environment, Public Health and Food Security Committee of the European Parliament voted on their opinion on the future financing mechanism for the fisheries sector, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Oceana applauds the Members of this Committee for rejecting amendments that waste taxpayer’s money and undermine the entire reform process, putting at … Read more
After decision-makers having aired the agreement on fishing subsidies reached by EU fisheries ministers last week as a great victory, the time has come to pose a couple of uncomfortable questions: Is this really the best way of investing taxpayer money to promote fishing activities? Moreover, will these funds become actually spent, or will they … Read more
Employment and Social Affairs Committee takes right step towards sustainable fisheries. Yesterday, the Regional Development Committee adopted its opinion on the future financing mechanism for fisheries in the EU (EMFF). Surprisingly and very disappointingly, the Members of this Committee supported amendments that allowed for building new boats, vessel modernization and subsidies for new engines, which … Read more
This week, three EU Parliament Committees will lay the foundation for the future financial mechanism for fisheries, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Oceana urges the Members of Parliament to vote against harmful subsidies that promote overfishing and an oversized unsustainable fleet. “Members of Parliament need to realize that without fish, there will be … Read more
Yesterday, a United Kingdom court ruled against two Spanish shipowners connected with the notorious pirate shipowners Antonio Vidal Suárez and Antonio Vidal Pego. The court has imposed a fine of 1.62 Million pounds for falsifying documentation on catches of overexploited hake, for which the quota was overshot. Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe … Read more
Today, the European Parliament voted on their consultation to the Commission proposal on the taxation of energy products and electricity. In addition to official aid provided by the European Union and state aid from Member States, European fishing vessels also benefit from a tax exemption on fuel. A large majority of Members of the European … Read more
Europe’s fishing grounds were once amongst the most productive in the world, but thirty years of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) have resulted in serious depletion of fish populations, ecosystem degradation, and damage to species, habitats and sites. Today, 63% of the assessed stocks in the Atlantic are overfished, 82% of the assessed stocks in … Read more
Today, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) released their long-awaited analysis of the effectiveness of EU fleet management, which shows the systematic failure of fleet capacity reduction policies. Oceana is deeply concerned that even though the problematic nature of overcapacity has been recognized for over 20 years, the EU has been unable to properly address … Read more
Today, the European Commission presented its proposal for the new subsidies regulation of the European fisheries sector, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which will cover subsidies from 2014 to 2020. Oceana recognizes the positive steps that the Commission has taken by removing the worst fleet capacity enhancing subsidies, such as those used for vessel modernization, … 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.
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