Category: Article

Press release: EU Must Respond to Baltic Sea Ecosystem and Fisheries Crash With Urgent, Radical Measures

Brussels/Baltic Sea. Responding to today’s publication of annual scientific advice for 2022 EU fishing limits for the Baltic Sea by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) [1], a group of non-governmental organisations is demanding that the European Commission follow the scientific advice and calls for an immediate transition to ecosystem-based, climate-smart, low-impact … Continued

Good progress in GFCM research programme on eel

The new GFCM research programme on European eel has already provided some tangible results since the launch in June last year. After the meeting in late April, an update will be provided at the SAC in late June.

Legal toolkit for river protection can help save the eel

A legal toolkit for river protection was presented at a webinar on 29 April. It was produced by Lawyers for Rivers Iniative to support civil society in the fight for Europe’s last free-flowing rivers, and the biodiversity they support.

Create Vjosa National Park Now!

In March, NGOs, citizens and activists stepped up efforts to secure protection of one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers – the Vjosa in Albania. By releasing first a documentary and then a series of photos taken in front of national monuments, such as the Eifeltower, they are calling for European political support.

FitHydro – exploring more fish-friendly hydropower

More environmentally friendly hydropower plants are not just about fish, but also about sediments and ultimately about habitats, participants learnt at an international conference about fish-friendly hydropower on 17-18 March. The future should be about a more flexible and dynmic approach, but also about decommissioning.

Danish fishers and conservationists jointly propose marine reserves

After months of negotiations, the Danish Society for Nature Conservation, DN, and the Danish Fishermen Producer Organisation, DFPO, present a historical proposal for ensuring a significant protection of the Danish sea. The proposal will ensure 10 percent untouched sea – no take Marine Protected Areas – in the North Sea, the Skagerrak, and the Baltic … Continued

Bottom trawling releases as much carbon dioxide as air traffic

Demersal trawling cause as much carbon dioxide emissions as air traffic, according to a new study. When the trawls are dragged along the sea floor large amounts of carbon is released, which increases global warming and makes the sea more acidic. In addition, bottom trawling threatens both ocean productivity and biodiversity. Bottom trawling is a … Continued

How fisheries management can help reach climate and biodiversity targets

A four day online symposium explores how fisheries management can help reach climate and biodiversity targets. Starting today Our Fish is organising Delivering on Climate & Biodiversity Targets Through Better Fisheries Management, a four-day virtual symposium exploring how ending overfishing is critical for realising the EU’s response to the biodiversity and climate emergency. The event … Continued

More fish in Swedish lakes, marine populations in decline

Catches of marine fish species such as herring, saithe and nephrops should be reduced, and cod in the Kattegat and the eastern Baltic Sea should not be fished at all. But several freshwater fish species are increasing in numbers, according to a report from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU. ”In Lake Vättern, the stocks … Continued

Danish fisheries receive 123 million euros from EU fisheries fund

In a broad political agreement, the Danish parliament have agreed to distribute DKK 917 million (123 million EUR) to Danish fisheries to support the implementation of the Marine, Fisheries and Aquaculture Program 2021-2023. The package includes DKK 138,3 million to make the fisheries industry more environmentally friendly, e.g. develop electric fishing vessels and land based … Continued