United Kingdom

Protecting Marine Habitats Marine protected areas (MPAs) are the most straightforward way to preserve biodiversity because each increases the endurance of the marine environment from the effects of harmful human activities and climate change. Oceana works towards a network of diverse and connected sites. Thanks to our expeditions—where we not only research shallow waters, but … Read more

Oceana’s reaction to EU closing fishing for cod in Baltic Sea

Yesterday, the European Commission ordered emergency fishing measures be put in place following the collapse of the eastern Baltic cod population. The emergency plan consists of an immediate closure to fish eastern Baltic cod in the south of the Baltic Sea. Oceana released the following statement following the announcement from the European Commission: “Baltic cod is … Read more

UK becomes ocean champion with 41 new Marine Conservation Zones

  The UK government has announced today that it will create 41 new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), taking the new total of MCZs in the UK to 91 Zones, which together cover 32,000 km² (over 12.300 square miles). The move to designate more sites in British waters is welcomed by marine conservation organisation Oceana, and … Read more

Major photo exhibition showcasing the effects of human activity on Earth opens outside Scottish Parliament

L-R: A passerby enjoying A Human Touch exhibition; Marta Madina, Communications Director at Oceana, Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, Presiding Officer, Amanda Tyndall, Festival and Creative Director at Edinburgh Science Festival; credit Duncan McGlynn A large-scale, outdoor photography exhibition showcasing the impact humans have on planet Earth is unveiled today at The Scottish Parliament. Curated … Read more

No-deal Brexit could create anarchy at sea

No-deal Brexit  would mean lawless situation for UK waters Draft Fisheries Bill still stuck in parliament The UK leaving the European Union (EU) without a withdrawal deal could lead to lawlessness at sea with serious impacts on fisheries and marine life in the UK, the environmental organisation Oceana warns. The UK Fisheries Bill, which would … Read more

EU Parliament votes to overfish the Atlantic Ocean

The European Parliament has today voted to water down its commitments made in 2013 to reform fisheries in the European Union (EU) and to manage all the bloc’s fisheries sustainably. MEPs, in a plenary session, favoured fishing at levels that still make overfishing possible, a move criticised by Oceana. Lasse Gustavsson, executive director for Oceana … Read more

Oceana statement on UK Fisheries Bill

On the release of the UK Fisheries Bill today, Oceana has issued the following statement from Lasse Gustavsson, executive director of Oceana Europe: “The UK Fisheries Bill comes amid a growing global movement to protect the oceans. But the reality is that 4 out of 10 fish stocks surrounding the UK are still overfished meaning … Read more