Commission to stop the overfishing crisis of hake, mullet, shrimp and Norway lobster Oceana warns that the European Commission’s proposal on fishing opportunities for the Mediterranean and Black Sea falls short in tackling the overfishing crisis of these seas. The acknowledged extent of fraud in vessels’ engine power requires a higher reduction of fishing … Read more
The shipping industry is responsible for a significant proportion of the global climate change problem. More than three percent of global carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to ocean-going ships. This is an amount comparable to major carbon-emitting countries — and the industry continues to grow rapidly. In fact, if global shipping were a country, … Read more
Oceana is delighted to report that today, Wednesday, the European Parliament plenary session approved by a large majority the text of the Directive presented by Dutch Euro MP Corien M. Wortmann-Kool in favour of imposing criminal sanctions on those responsible for dumping crude and used oils, washing out tanks and other hydrocarbon spillages at sea. … Read more
“We have got to stop this serious, chronic pollution.Since the process for approving the Directive began in March 2003, around 180,000 illegal dumping incidents have taken place in European waters, polluting them with more than one million tonnes of hydrocarbons. Every month of delay in approving the Directive results in an increase in marine pollution … Read more
Spain is the only country that has shown support for the proposal. Ireland, which will hold the European Presidency during the first six months of the year, has indicated to Oceana its willingness to look into the organisation’s proposals. The European Parliament’s approval of a Resolution to implement a Directive to apply penal or criminal … Read more
The dumping of oil from Illegal and “routine” operations of ships is three times greater than that from oil slicks caused by oil tanker accidents. UK is the country which provides the IMO with the most comprehensive information, but it is still to implement the European Directive to tackle illegal dumping. Spain lacks efficient surveillance … Read more
Amidst the heartbreaking news surrounding the deadly capsizing of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, another issue is beginning to emerge – that of the potential environmental impact the wreckage may have on the marine ecosystems. What is particularly concerning is that the ship capsized right next to the largest Italian National Park – an ecological … Read more
Measures proposed by Oceana can help reduce global warming and ocean sea acidification caused by carbon dioxide. Today at European Maritime Day, Oceana called for the implementation of effective policies to ensure the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from European fleets. The international marine conservation organization highlighted the critical importance of addressing the issue of … Read more
Solutions: Reduced Speed Overall, speed reductions are a quick, easy and effective way to achieve emissions reductions from ocean-going vessels. Given the recent increases in oil prices, speed reduction makes sense not only environmentally but also economically. Emissions, especially those of carbon dioxide, are directly proportional to fuel consumption. Greater speeds require increased fuel consumption. … Read more
Working with Earthjustice, Friends of the Earth and the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana petitioned the EPA to regulate shipping emissions in October 2007. Unfortunately, since the EPA did not respond accordingly, in July 2008 Oceana, along with the coalition of environmental groups and attorneys general from various states, filed a letter warning the EPA … 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.