News
June 10, 2009
Strategy, and plan for action, proposed for Baltic Sea
Setting environment first, the European Commission has published its much-awaited “Baltic Strategy”. The strategy, expected by its proponents to act as an example for similar regional approaches elsewhere in the Union, had been called for by the European Parliament and the EU Council in a conclusions document in December 2007. The Strategy, published in Brussels … Continued
June 8, 2009
New coalition, including FISH, a warrior for CFP reform
As a response to Commissioner Joe Borg’s call for fundamental reform of the EU fisheries policy, an important NGO coalition has formed in Brussels to fight overfishing and “enhance human well-being”. OCEAN2012, coordinated by the Pew Environment Group, was founded by the Fisheries Secretariat, the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements, nef (new economics foundation), the Pew … Continued
June 4, 2009
Greenpeace make bureaucrats work
The mere plans for a Greenpeace campaign to protect two Natura 2000 sites off the Swedish west coast have inspired government bureaucrats to set off work on new regulations there, campaigners suggest. Earlier this spring, Greenpeace Nordic announced that they were planning to prevent bottom trawling in the two Natura 2000 areas, located in the … Continued
June 4, 2009
NGO strategies considered at Stockholm workshop
The Natura 2000 project, the upcoming EU control regulation, and the futures of the Baltic salmon and the Common Fisheries Policy, respectively, were the issues handled at an intensive two-day NGO “strategic workshop” in Stockholm in early June. The workshop, a part of the joint Eko-Unia/Our Earth Foundation/FISH project “The Baltic is in Poland; The … Continued
June 4, 2009
Advice for Dummies
SSB, Yield/R , or “Predation mortality” are not household words for everybody concerned with the present and future for our fish stocks. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has published a made-easy – and not un-funny – guide to how their Scientific Advice is produced.
June 1, 2009
Swedish agencies urge power transfer in the EU
Less power to the EU Council, and more power to the Commission and the Member States, two Swedish government agencies recommend in a joint report to the cabinet. The Board of Fisheries and the Environmental Protection Agency were asked by the government to evaluate the current Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and make recommendations as for … Continued
May 29, 2009
Ups and downs in next year’s Baltic TACs
For the first time in years, scientists have recommended increased catch quotas for both Baltic cod stocks in 2010. Increase for both cod stocks The advisory body, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), recommends a 15 per cent increase for the much larger eastern stock – the same as last year’s … Continued
May 29, 2009
Reactions: Encouraging, but still cause for caution
Swedish reactions to the ICES TAC advice for 2010 were guardedly positive, from NGOs as well as from the government administration. ”The important thing now, for the cod recovery to remain permanent, is for EU fisheries politicians to continue following the management plan”, said Svante Axelsson, Secretary General of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation … Continued
May 27, 2009
Commissioner urges ministers to act “head-on” on discards
In a sharp attack on the “wasteful” practice of discards, Commissioner Jorge Borg told the Union Ministers that “there is absolutely no excuse not to tackle this problem head-on now”. Stressing that “discards is an issue that I personally attach great importance to”, he added in a statement to the May Agriculture and Fisheries Council … Continued
May 27, 2009
FISH gets younger
The Fisheries Secretariat has admitted Youth and Nature Sweden (Fältbiologerna) as a new member organisation. “The Field Biologists” is an organisation founded in 1947 for youth up to 25 that offers activities ranging from bird watching to conservation campaigning. Its basis consists of a network of local clubs that ”make excursions to bird lakes and … Continued