The EU Fisheries Council have agreed to a roll-over of current eel fishing closures in EU waters to protect the 2026/2027 eel migrations. Regrettably the well-intentioned provision now contains so many derogations that the measure is not effective. The ban on recreational eel fishing in EU waters remain. In the Mediterranean region, measures apply in … Continued
The Commission is proposing a roll-over of this year’s provisions for the annual eel fishing closures, which will be adopted at the Fisheries Council later this week. For a critically endangered population with a zero catch advice since 2021 for all life stages, including catches for aquaculture and restocking, the current provision as well as … Continued
CITES Summit ending today rejected a proposal to list all Anguillid eel species under Appendix II to protect them from illegal and unsustainable trade. The proposal put forward by the EU and Panama was rejected by a large majority including key countries involved in trade, aquaculture and consumption. European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has been listed … Continued
Widespread exploitation of the critically endangered European eel population continues against scientific advice, despite few signs of recovery. Today, the International Exploration of the Sea, ICES, published its scientific advice on fishing opportunities and conservation for European eel for 2026. As in previous years, ICES advises zero catch for all life stages, all uses and … Continued
EU Council decision on 2026 fishing limits fails to implement legally required safeguards, jeopardising the fragile marine ecosystem Luxembourg – 28th of October 2025 – Environmental organisations across Europe (Baltic Salmon Fund, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland, Coalition Clean Baltic, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, FishSec, Oceana, Östersjölaxälvar i samverkan, Pasaules dabas fonds, Seas At … Continued
Key takeaways from last week’s Brussels event Small pelagic fish play a big role in keeping Europe’s seas healthy. Yet, despite their crucial ecological and economic importance, forage fish such as sprat, herring and sandeel have long remained in the shadows of policy and public attention. Last week on October 16, experts, policymakers, politicians, fisheries … Continued
Nearly 30 organisations, including NGOs and recreational fishing representatives from across Europe, have submitted a joint response to the European Commission’s consultation on sustainable fishing opportunities for 2026. The submission sets out recommendations to align catch limits with the Common Fisheries Policy, apply precautionary and ecosystem-based management, and prioritise the recovery of depleted stocks. It … Continued
Council Must Follow Commission’s Lead to Protect Critical Small Pelagic Fish Populations 27 August 2025 – Environmental NGOs (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, FishSec, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and WWF Baltic Sea Programme) welcome the European Commission’s proposal for 2026 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities, published on the 26th of August. The organisations urge EU Fisheries Ministers to … Continued
On the 26th of August 2025 the European Commission released its proposal for the Fishing Opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2026. This proposal reflects a continued critical situation for several key stocks, leading to significant reductions in catch limits to promote long-term sustainability. In line with our standard practice of sharing news and updates … Continued
Why the Baltic Sea’s Forage Fish Need Urgent Protection The Baltic Sea is changing, and so are the populations of the small fish at its heart. Forage fish such as sprat and herring are critical to the health of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. They serve as a vital food source for predators like cod, salmon, seabirds … Continued