News
September 15, 2009
First Russian MSC
For the first time ever, a Russian fishery has received MSC certification as sustainable. The Pacific pink and chum salmon fishery on the Kuril Island of Iturup is run jointly by the Russian government and Gidrostroy, a private stock company. “Gidrostroy’s commitment to sustainable fisheries is a turning point for the fisheries sector and a … Continued
September 11, 2009
Swedish Fisheries to be re-organised
Announcing plans to dismantle the present Board of Fisheries, the Swedish Government has appointed an inquiry group to see which parts to transfer to a new joint Marine Agency to be formed by 2011. The new agency will work under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment. Some of the functions of the present … Continued
September 9, 2009
Sweden gets its first National Marine Park
Sweden’s first National Marine Park, close to the border to Norway, was inaugurated royally on September 9 by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon. An exceptionally deep (200 metres) fjord between the West Coast town of Strömstad and the Koster archipelago has created a unique ecosystem with 6,000 marine species, … Continued
September 9, 2009
CITES possible way in saving of sharks
In a new report, a leading marine conservation organisation has recommended that two European shark species should be listed among endangered species. Oceana supported an earlier proposal from Germany to include porbeagle and spurdog in the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The convention aims to regulate … Continued
September 8, 2009
Commissioner speaks up for scrapping TACs, regulating effort
In a speech to the Fisheries Committee of the newly elected European Parliament, Commissioner Joe Borg has come out strongly for doing away with the present quota system, to substitute it with effort management. “Replacing TACs and quotas by effort can be a very effective way of reducing the environmental impact of fisheries, and in … Continued
September 8, 2009
Professor’s pessimism about new EU fisheries policy
Considering the many shortcomings of the present CFP, a Danish Professor and EU fisheries expert told a gathering of Nordic ministers that “it’s hard not to be pessimistic” about the next Common Fisheries Policy in 2012. Revision of the CFP was high on the agenda for the summer meeting of the Nordic ministers responsible for … Continued
September 8, 2009
Fishermen sinking on Swedish West Coast
The number of fishermen on the Swedish West Coast has been reduced by 25 percent in just the last ten years, a new report from the Swedish Board of Fisheries shows. At the same time, the medium age of the remaining few has risen from 47 to 49. Tore Gustavsson of the Board of Fisheries, … Continued
September 8, 2009
Polish campaigners took to the streets
In July, when fish consumption soars on the Polish coast, Klub Gaja organized a series of consumer targeted, awareness raising street performances titled “The history of the Golden Fish”. Also dubbed as ‘happenings’ by Klub Gaja, the theatrical street performances in three coastal towns – Miedzyzdroje, Kolobrzeg and Hel – targeted fish consumers and aimed … Continued
September 3, 2009
Next Year’s Baltic Cod TACs: Like ICES, like Commission
Walking fully in step with this spring’s scientific advice, the EU Commission proposes a 15 percent raise in the 2010 TACs for the Eastern Baltic cod and a 9 percent raise for the smaller Western stock. That recommendation was the first time in years that International Council for the Sea (ICES) experts had suggested increases … Continued
September 3, 2009
“B” for Germany, “D” for Russia in Baltic Sea Conservation Class
Germany emerged as best in class, while Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia were named and shamed as classroom dunces as the WWF published this year’s “Baltic Sea Scorecard”. Still graded “B” – no A’s were handed out – Germany was primarily lauded for being a leader – “by far” – in practical planning of both … Continued