Habitat Protection Archives

Oceana asks the Balearic Government for more protection for marine biodiversity in Cabrera National Park

The extension of the park, effective from 2019, lacks appropriate protection and management measures to protect the area from industrial fishing The Government, responsible for the park, now has an opportunity to commit to real and ambitious protection after years of delay Oceana urges the Balearic Government to effectively protect the Cabrera Archipelago National Marine-Terrestrial … Read more

Nature charities back UK pressing ahead with world-leading sandeel protections, despite EU legal pressure

19 UK and 16 EU conservation groups, are today announcing their strong support for the UK Government committing to closing Scottish and English North Sea waters to sandeel fishing, in the face of EU opposition to the action. The nature groups (including the RSPB, ClientEarth, Oceana, Birdlife International, and the Marine Conservation Society) are calling … Read more

A quantification of bottom towed fishing activity in marine Natura 2000 sites

There are over 2100 marine Natura 2000 sites designated across Europe’s seas under the EU Habitats Directive. Member States have designated such sites to protect and recover both important marine habitats such as reefs and sandbanks and a range of iconic species including the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and grey and … Read more

EU-wide campaign launched to end destructive fishing in Europe’s protected waters: 90% of ‘protected’ waters still targeted

Leading civil society organisations have launched a campaign calling on the EU to take tougher action against EU countries that still allow bottom trawling in their Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), after a new report reveals that the destructive fishing practice is still taking place in 90% of offshore EU MPAs. The report, co-authored by Marine … Read more

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts andconservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Rhodolith beds, including maerl, are structurally complex perennial habitats that support a high species diversity but are threatened by numerous human activities, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite their global ecological importance, increased research efforts are needed to facilitate development of effective measures to conserve these habitats. Two areas hosting rhodolith beds are known to … Read more

EU countries not on track to meet international marine protection targets, warn NGOs

EU Member States are set to miss targets to protect 30% of EU seas by 2030, warn marine NGOs Oceana and Seas At Risk. In reaction to the EU’s interim evaluation of its 2030 Biodiversity Strategy released on 13 March, the NGOs are today publishing an assessment of Member States’ pledges on marine protection targets. … Read more

Quince organizaciones ecologistas piden al Gobierno reforzar los compromisos de protección marina en el Mediterráneo español

Las organizaciones demandan acciones para avanzar en la protección estricta de, al menos, un 10 % del Mediterráneo, comprometido por España Además, solicitan una gobernanza participativa para la elaboración, implementación y evaluación de los planes de gestión de los espacios Continuar con el compromiso y redoblar los esfuerzos para conseguir la protección efectiva del 30 … Read more

Mediterráneo 30×30. Acuerdo marino entre organizaciones ambientales para la protección de un 30% del Mediterráneo español en 2030

En respuesta a la doble crisis planetaria, climática y de pérdida de biodiversidad, la Unión Europea y sus estados miembros se han comprometido, a través de la Estrategia de Biodiversidad de la UE a proteger al menos el 30% de los mares para 2030, con un tercio de lo protegido (es decir, un 10% de … Read more

Law to restore EU seas by 2030 edges one step closer to reality

Today the European Parliament’s plenary has adopted the agreement reached with EU countries on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). This is good news for the marine environment, say NGOs Oceana and Seas At Risk, because the new law includes binding restoration targets for marine habitats, as well as a new mechanism and a timeline to … Read more

Spain Designates Seven New Marine Protected Areas

The Spanish government designated seven new marine protected areas (MPAs) in three Spanish marine regions. These areas, rich in biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems, will be part of the Natura 2000 Network, which includes the natural areas of greatest ecological value in the European Union. With this designation, the total marine area protected in Spain, including … Read more