World Trade Organization (WTO) members failed to meet the United Nations’ 2020 deadline for reaching an agreement to end harmful fisheries subsidies, when they met in Geneva 14 December. Still countries made significant progress during the negotiations – paving the way for a deal in 2021. After more than two decades of negotiations, the WTO … Continued
A handful of mining corporations exert a heavy influence over the international negotiations determining the future of the seabed, lobbying governments to urgently finalise rules that would allow for full-scale mining of the deep ocean to begin, according to a new report from Greenpeace. Scientists warn that deep seabed mining will cause biodiversity loss. Both … Continued
On 21-22 November Östersjöfiske 2020, a two-day conference on industrial fisheries in the Baltic Sea, took place in Simrishamn county in the south of Sweden. This was the 6th annual Östersjöfiske gathering. Although starting from a national outlook the conference explored several angles of fisheries of importance for the whole Baltic sea area. A recurring … Continued
On Wednesday, the Commission discussed its report on the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive with its expert group on Strategic Coordination. The report showed that while the EU’s framework for marine environmental protection is one of the most ambitious in the world, persistent challenges remain, such as excess nutrients, underwater noise, plastic litter … Continued
In its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2021 in the Mediterranean and Black seas, the Commission had included preliminary catch limits for European eel, as well as provision for the three-month fishing closure. This proposal has now been revised.
ICES has published its advice on European eel for 2021. It is essentially the same as it has been since 2003: keep all anthropogenic impacts as close to zero as possible. Despite this advice, most EU countries still allow eel fishing to take place. ICES advice for European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is based on the … Continued
In the proposal for fishing opportunities for 2021, the Commission is showing some commitment to end overfishing but much uncertainty remains over stocks shared with the United Kingdom. A roll-over is likely on provisions for a 3-month ban of eel fishing. Yesterday, the Commission published its proposal for 2021 catch limits for fish stocks in … Continued
The usual tough debate regarding the Baltic Sea fishing quotas is now over, resulting in an overall acceptance of the ICES advice but still with some major concerns regarding the eastern Baltic cod and the western herring. The TACs for 8 out of 10 stocks are following the ICES advice. However, ecosystem-based management and the … Continued
Reine J. Johansson, recent spokesperson for the Swedish Pelagic Federation, has sadly died. Reine was possibly the greatest Swedish influencer of both international and national fisheries policy in all times. Before becoming a representative of the Swedish fisheries sector, Reine Johansson was an active member of the Swedish Social Democratic Party as a young man … Continued
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