Category: Article

Side event at GFCM Fish Forum 2024

Saving the European Eel – best practices   In 2024, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is set to agree on long-term management measures for the critically endangered European eel in the region. Our two organizations, MedReAct and FishSec, are committed to the recovery of the European eel population in the Mediterranean and … Continued

Major concerns raised as Netherlands acknowledges lack of control in fisheries sector

In a startling revelation, the Netherlands has publicly acknowledged the likelihood of unchecked fish illegally entering the EU market. The disclosure unfolded as the Hague Administrative Court issued a ruling on the matter. Environmental law organization ClientEarth and the Low Impact Fisheries of Europe (LIFE) took legal action against the Dutch authorities, asserting that lax … Continued

Outcome December council fisheries negotiations

Brussels, 12 December 2023 – Following extensive negotiations, EU fisheries ministers have successfully reached an agreement on fishing opportunities (quotas) for 2024 in the Atlantic, the North Sea, and Skagerrak/Kattegat. While the ministers adhered to scientific advice for sustainable limits concerning most commercially important fish stocks, they once again opted to set limits for certain … Continued

Press Release: Fisheries Ministers watered down eel measures again

Fisheries Council deal: eel fishing closures in EU waters remain but are watered down again, allowing continued fishing for much of the peak migration period for glass eel and possible concessions in the Baltic region. The ban on recreational fisheries in marine waters remain. The decision is taken against stark and clear scientific advice calling … Continued

Gulf of Riga herring – the only healthy Baltic herring stock

Photo by Payllik Out of four herring stocks in the Baltic Sea three are in great distress, whereas the Riga herring is doing fine and has been stable or even increased over the last two decades. The reasons for this were discussed at a recent Baltic Breakfast hosted by the Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm university. … Continued

Disappointing new measures on glass eel in the Mediterranean

This week, the management of European Eel has been discussed at the 46th Annual Session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). The Mediterranean has been forging ahead on eel management in recent years, leading the way compared to the rest of the EU. But the new Recommendation adopted today is somewhat disappointing. … Continued

ICES repeats zero catch advice for eel

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, published its scientific advice for European eel for 2024 today. It is echoing last year’s advice: zero catches in all habitats and for all life stages and zero mortality for all non-fisheries related human impacts. European eel is not recovering and yet most EU countries … Continued

HELCOM releases report on the State of the Baltic Sea – HOLAS 3

Today, the 31st of October 2023, HELCOM released its new holistic assessment of the state of the Baltic Sea. Every 6th year a new assessment is done, this is the third one called HOLAS 3. It is a massive report comprising five themes into one large holistic assessment: 1) biodiversity, 2) eutrophication, 3) hazardous substances, … Continued