Oceana, the largest international marine conservation organization, and the city of Helsingborg, Sweden, joined forces in order to enhance the protection of the sensitive benthic habitats in the northern part of the Sound. The area, known to be an important home to many commercial fish, like cod and flounder, boasts a high diversity of species … Read more
What does this mean? Being awarded SPAMI status means that the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention have granted these places the highest possible protection within the treaty, committing to observe the protection and conservation measures that affect them. The new 7 additions to the list are: The Blue Coast Marine Park (France), The Embiez … Read more
Oceana is deeply disturbed by this decision, which is a clear step in the wrong direction for a government that has prided itself on its efforts to support sustainability. Mussel dredging is extremely destructive, and severely disturbs all benthic life, which can take up to 20 years for a full recovery. “It is absolutely unacceptable … Read more
The Baltic Sea is in a critical state and in serious need of protection. Today Oceana, the largest international marine conservation organisation, published a report on biodiversity and marine habitats, proposing nine areas in the Baltic Sea for inclusion in the current network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA). These areas, in Sweden, Finland and Denmark, … Read more
The Balearic Islands have a long history of artisanal fishing. Apart from being a way to make a livelihood, this activity also represents a rich cultural tradition that distinguishes these islands from elsewhere. Unfortunately, overfishing among other factors, has led to a sharp decline in artisanal fishing in this archipelago. Pressure from industrial bottom trawlers, … Read more
Spain’s beautiful Costa Del Sol, a tourist destination for millions, is under threat from Repsol, and oil company with plans to prospect for gas in the area, and some incredible habitats and marine animals that we just recently documented as part of our latest Ranger Expedition are in danger of being destroyed. Repsol wants to … Read more
In 2005, Oceana was the first organisation to photograph and take video footage of the Gorringe Bank seamounts, southeast of Cape St. Vincent, identifying 36 species that had never been seen before on these mountains. The international marine conservation organisation Oceana urges the Portuguese government to expand the Natura 2000 Network and protect its seamounts. … Read more
Most marine protected areas (MPAs) have been declared marine extensions of protected terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, these protected sites are around or beside coastal or island marine reserves, natural parks, etc. That means that most of the protected seabeds are normally shallow coastal areas usually no deeper than the infralittoral zone. Deep-sea laminarians extend down to … Read more
Oceana applauds the recent addition of important marine areas to the European Natura 2000 Network. This important step towards correcting the precarious situation of European seas is a significant advance for Danish, French and Spanish waters, but there is still much work to be done. With a surface area of over 9 million km² divided … Read more
In the Western Mediterranean, the highest concentration of seamounts occurs in the Alboran Sea and adjoining areas, as is the case of Seco de los Olivos seamount off Almeria or the seamounts and volcanic cones off Alboran. The LIFE+INDEMARES project focuses on these mounts and from 2009 to 2013 the project will study 10 Spanish … 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.
