News
October 2, 2020
Commission withdraws proposals for European eel and Baltic Salmon
Only two days ago, the Commission withdrew two important proposals that could have led to better protection and more sustainable fisheries for two species in trouble: Baltic salmon and European eel. Both proposals had been through first readings in the European Parliament and had support from many environmental organisations. Proposal to safeguard Baltic salmon populations … Continued
September 28, 2020
WWF is calling for partial ban on bottom trawling in the Baltic
In connection with today’s EU-conference Our Baltic, WWF is calling on the Baltic Ministers to reconsider bottom trawling, which is one of the most damaging fishing methods, claiming it is preventing recovery of the ailing ecosystem the attainment of conservation objectives. In the report launched today, A sea under pressure: Bottom trawling impacts in the … Continued
September 28, 2020
Our Baltic Declaration signed – nature has spoken, now it’s time to act!
A declaration to improve the environment in the Baltic Sea was signed today by minsters of all EU Baltic Sea countries at the Our Baltic conference, hosted by the European Commission. Topics conversed during this one-day event stretched over several important issue areas such as marine litter, microplastics, ghost nets, impacts of bottom trawling, sustainable … Continued
September 25, 2020
Eel regulation not yet in line with Lisbon Treaty
The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2007 should have resulted in a revision of the Eel Regulation, incorporating changes in decision-making procedures and Commission powers. However, a Commission proposal to do so was never agreed upon and is now being withdrawn, leaving European eel without much needed ‘new’ Commission tools and proper scrutiny … Continued
September 25, 2020
ICES advice on European eel for 2021
The Joint EIFAAC/ICES/GFCM Working Group on Eels is meeting online this week (21–27 September). The Working Group is currently chaired by Jan-Dag Pohlmann from the Thünen Institute, Germany. Its meeting will be followed by the ICES Advice Drafting Group on Eel (ADGEEL) on 19-20 October. This year’s ICES advice on eel is scheduled to be … Continued
September 18, 2020
HELCOM is revising targets on European eel
The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) is currently being revised. The existing plan already contains several targets for European eel. Improvements being discussed now are how to prioritise mitigation measures that will allow eels to pass migration barriers in Baltic rivers, and a phasing out of all recreational fisheries for eel by 2022. Coalition … Continued
September 1, 2020
Commission proposal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2021
The EU Commission has published their proposal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2021. While the Commission proposes to increase fishing opportunities for salmon in the main basin and the herring stock of the Gulf of Riga, the larger part of the stocks is proposed to decrease. For sprat, herring in the Gulf … Continued
August 26, 2020
European eel remains Critically Endangered in latest IUCN Red List assessment
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) updated the assessments of two of the world’s largest eel populations – European eel and Japanese eel. The new assessments show no significant improvements. Both species are on the Red List of threatened species managed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The status of … Continued
July 29, 2020
FishSec endorse RISE UP – a blue call to action
The RISE UP – Blue Call to Action is a joint call by Indigenous Peoples and Fisherfolk groups, Ocean advocacy organisations and philanthropies to governments and corporations to join and take bold action to safeguard the ocean at the next UN Ocean Conference (which has been postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic). Why … Continued
June 25, 2020
Webinar provided much needed update on European eel
On Tuesday morning, 16 June, the Fisheries Secretariat and the Good Fish Foundation co-hosted a webinar on European eel. Over 130 people from around the EU and beyond listened to our speakers providing an update on many things eel. European eel is currently categorised as Critically Endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of … Continued