Oceana: Fisheries Ministers refuse to put an end to overfishing

Early this morning in Brussels, EU Fisheries Ministers reached an agreement on the catch limits for the main commercial fish stocks in Atlantic waters for 2016. Oceana describes the agreement as disappointing and deplores the lack of ambition fisheries ministers have demonstrated to honour the commitments agreed in the Common Fisheries Policy, in particular the … Read more

NGOs welcome European Commission proposal to increase control and transparency of EU fleet fishing worldwide

A proposal published today by the European Commission that would close loopholes in the regulation governing the European Unions (EU)’s long-distance fishing fleet has been welcomed by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts and WWF. “The European Commission’s proposal reinforces the EU’s commitment to combatting illegal fishing globally,” said María José … Read more

Oceana welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for 2016 Atlantic fishing limits

Today, the European Commission released its annual proposal of total allowable catches (TACs) for the main commercial fish species in North East Atlantic waters for 2016. Oceana has welcomed the proposal that sets a key milestone towards ending overfishing by 2020, but is disappointed that the Commission has failed to fully meet catch reductions advised by scientists … Read more

EU fisheries ministers undermine sustainable fishing in the Baltic

Oceana condemns the decision by the EU Fisheries Council on Baltic catch limits for 2016   Today, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the EU reached an agreement on the 2016 total allowable catches (TAC) for the Baltic Sea fish stocks. Regretfully, just like the last year, European ministers have yet again decided to ignore scientific advice … Read more

EU auditors report reveals lack of transparency of EU fishing in developing countries

Oceana warns that lack of data and transparency endangers the sustainable exploitation of third countries’ resources A report by the European Court of Auditors has revealed a lack of data that jeopardises the sustainability of EU fisheries agreements with third countries (Sustainable Fisheries Partnership agreements or SFPAs). According to the Common Fisheries Policy, EU fleets … Read more

First-Ever Fishing Ban Created for Danish Marine Parks

Thanks to a new regulation by the European Union, Denmark, Germany and Sweden will cease all fishing activity on sensitive bubbling reefs and end fishing with damaging bottom gear (such as bottom trawls) over reefs in protected Danish waters of the Baltic Sea and Kattegat. The new measures are the first of their kind in the Baltic Sea, and … Read more

First ever database of EU fishing fleet around the world launched

Oceana and its allies launch the transparency database www.whofishesfar.org, an online database detailing 15,264 EU vessels authorised to fish outside EU waters between 2010 and 2014. The figures were made public for the first time after an access-to-information request to the European Commission. Transparency is a key element for eradicating illegal fishing and ensuring sustainable fisheries. … Read more