News
April 20, 2005
EU Fisheries Council give go-ahead to new Fisheries Control Agency
When EU Fisheries and Agricultural Ministers met on 26 April, a regulation to set up the new EU Fisheries Control Agency was adopted.
March 24, 2005
Fisheries managers failing to protect marine wildlife
In a recent study BirdLife International reports that Regional Fisheries Management Organisations are largely failing in their obligation to reduce seabird bycatch. In a report released 7 March, BirdLife International concluded that Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) are largely failing in their duty to reduce albatross bycatch in longline fisheries. Nineteen of the 21 species … Continued
March 24, 2005
Stakeholder conference on European Marine Strategy
A conference in Rotterdam on 10-11 November 2004 marked the end of the stakeholder consultation process on the development of a European Marine Strategy. The main purpose of the conference was to discuss: the basic documents for elaborating the Strategy the practical implications of applying the ecosystem approach to provide an integrated management regime the … Continued
March 23, 2005
Conference on sustainable EU fisheries
On 8-9 November, the Fisheries Secretariat and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) held a conference in the European Parliament on Sustainable EU fisheries – facing the environmental challenges. Under the patronage of the Dutch Presidency of the Council, the Fisheries Secretariat and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) held a high level … Continued
March 23, 2005
New Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
The new European Commissioner for Fisheries is likely to be Dr Joe Borg from Malta, a previous Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to himself, he is committed to promoting sustainable fisheries as well as improving the living conditions of fishing communities. On August 12, the new President-designate of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, … Continued
March 15, 2005
New EU Parliament in place after elections
After the elections in all EU Member States in June, the new European Parliament opened again in July. The new Chair of the Committee on Fisheries is Philippe Morillon from France, a member of the ALDE group. Following the June 2004 elections in all EU Member States, the “new” European Parliament opened in July. At … Continued
January 15, 2005
Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy
The EU Sustainable Development Strategy, adopted by the Heads of State in Gothenburg in 2001, will be reviewed by the new Commission. The review will assess where the strategy has worked and where it has not, as well as what needs to be done in order to achieve further progress towards long-term sustainable development. At … Continued
January 10, 2005
Marine focus at Flora- & Fauna Conference
The theme for 2004 was the Swedish environmental quality objectives, with a special focus on the objectives for the marine environment and for forests Marine focus at Flora- & Fauna Conference The Swedish Species Information Centre hosts the Flora- and Fauna Conservation Conference in April every year. The theme for 2004 was the Swedish environmental … Continued
January 9, 2005
Special protection awarded to the Baltic Sea
On 2 April, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meeting decided to designate the Baltic Sea as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). This means that further restrictions can be applied to activities in the Baltic, to protect it from potential environmental damage. For example, ships will be required to take special care when navigating through … Continued
January 8, 2005
Fisheries Council agree on measures to minimise bycatch of dolphins
On 22-23 March, the EU Fisheries Ministers agreed on a range of measures to minimise bycatch of dolphins and harbour porpoises in fisheries around Europe.