News
October 24, 2007
Polish change of Government – good for the environment?
Many claim the Polish election this year to be one of the most dramatic since the end of Communism in 1989. There was – by Polish standards – a very high voter turnout at about 55 per cent. Many young people flooded the polls dismayed at the state of politics in their country and turned … Continued
October 23, 2007
Damning report on EU fisheries policy
A review commissioned by DG Fisheries & Maritime Affairs assessing the performance of the Common Fisheries Policy has been leaked. The report highlights the lack of political will in the Council to put national interests aside and the resulting poor state of EU fish stocks. The report can be downloaded below.
October 23, 2007
EU Ministers decide on Baltic quotas
Earlier this evening, a compromise was struck on next year’s quotas for the Baltic Sea. In 2008 there will be reduced catches of cod, but not enough to give real respite for the overfished eastern stock. Salmon quotas are unchanged despite warnings of very low smolt survival in the north. On a more positive note, … Continued
October 22, 2007
EU proposal to protect high seas ecosystems
Last week, the European Commission released a proposal to protect vulnerable ecosystems in the high seas. Following the EU position at UN General Assembly negotiations on the prohibition of deep-sea bottom-trawling on the high seas, the Commission now proposes to give Member States the responsibility to assess vulnerability and fishing plans when issuing fishing licenses … Continued
October 19, 2007
NGOs meet with Polish Minister on cod
At a meeting in Warsaw yesterday, WWF-Poland and Greenpeace Poland discussed Polish plans for Baltic cod with Marek Gróbarczyk, the Minister of Maritime Economy, and his Vice-Minister Grzegorz Ha³ubek. It is clear that Poland’s current Government wants to go its own way and change the entire management system. Earlier this week, several Polish environmental NGOs … Continued
October 19, 2007
EU Ministers to decide on Baltic fish quotas and management
Next week, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the EU will attempt a decision on next years fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea. The Commission proposal contains a mixed bag, dominated by cuts in quotas. Cod is likely to be the main focus – again. On 22-23 October, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the … Continued
October 4, 2007
Polish fishermen divided over cod fishing ban
The Association of Fishermen of the Sea-Organization of Producers (AFS-OP), in a written statement, appealed to all Polish fishermen on October 2 to respect the European Union ban on fishing cod in the Eastern Baltic and to stay in ports. ”In relation to the current situation in Baltic fisheries, characterised by encouragement by the Government … Continued
October 3, 2007
European Union cracks down on illegal fisheries in Europe
EU is starting to show a responsible and consequent approach to fisheries management. The cod struggle in Poland is only one example of EU crackdown on illegal fishing. Seven other European Union Member states are facing bluefin tuna catch ban until the end of 2007 in addition to possible penalties for excessive exploitation and misreporting … Continued
September 27, 2007
Polish Deputy Director of the Sea Fisheries Institute (MIR), Dr Karnicki, resigns in protest against the Polish government
After pressure from the Polish Ministry of Maritime Economy on the Polish scientific community to present results indicating that “there is plenty of cod in the sea”, science and deputy director of MIR, PhD Zbigniew Karnicki, resigns from his duties in protest against the Polish government. In an open letter to the public Dr Karnicki … Continued
September 24, 2007
Polish Fishermen break the EU Commission ban on cod fishing
Last Friday Polish fishermen broke the law by opposing the EU Commission ban on cod trawling in the Eastern Baltic. “The controllers knew well that we were going out to fish for cod, we did not hide it. No one checked up on us while we were fishing. Only once in port, we were met … Continued