Our seas are neither healthy not clean, but can be considered productive according to the first State of Europe’s Sea report published earlier this week. This productive may however be compromised in the future if the decoration of Europe’s marine ecosystem continues. The report shows that our current way of managing our marine resources is far from sustainable.
Yesterday afternoon, after meeting an impasse concerning the proposed Baltic multiannual plan, the delegation from Parliament, led by Rapporteur Mr. Jarosław Wałęsa walked out of trilogue negotiations with Council and the Commission. Council has thus far failed to meet the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, in particular those which prevent overfishing.
A selection of research news: i) Eastern Baltic cod in distress: biological changes and challenges for stock assessment, ii) Can marine spatial planning benefit spawning for Baltic herring?, iii) Are we letting managers off the hook? and iv) Five factors for successful management of natural capital
The European Commission has published its annual communication on fishing opportunities, announcing their initial plans for next year´s fishing quotas in the EU. The communications shows that there is still a long way to go to reach the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and the commitment to end overfishing by 2015 where possible.
The European Commission has opened two public consultations; Fishing opportunities for 2016 under the Common Fisheries Policy and International Ocean governance. The consultations are open to all citizens and organisations.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) released its scientific advice for Baltic Sea stocks earlier today. Eastern Baltic Cod is listed as data-limited again this year and ICES advises significant cuts in fishing opportunities for both Eastern and Western Baltic cod stocks.
A new study by a team of scientist from the Stockholm Resilience Centre reveal that up to 40% of the world’s largest and most valuable fish stocks are controlled by a handful of companies.
A new research project called Go4Baltic was launched early April this year with the aim to “provide advice for optimal choices of aquatic, agricultural and climate policy mixes, policy designs and implementation”.
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on “EU ecolabel for fishery and aquaculture products”. The consultation is open to all stakeholder groups and individuals and close 31st of July 2015.
A short summary of news from the reserach community: Sediment cores reveal historic hypoxia in the Baltic Sea; The invisible collapse of fish stocks, and Open ocean dead zones in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean