News
September 10, 2014
DG MARE and DG ENVI becomes one portfolio in Commission reorganisation
Juncker’s first step as President of the European Commission has been to announce a restructuring of the Commission, together with his proposals for new Commissioners. Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is set to become one portfolio under Commissioner Karmenu Vella.
September 10, 2014
Uncertainties around Baltic quotas for 2015 in BALTFISH Forum meeting
In the first Forum meeting under the Lithuanian BALTFISH Presidency, Baltic quotas for 2015 was discussed. Although opinions on quotas for pelagic stocks as well as salmon slightly differed between the Baltic Member States most discussions were on the considerable cuts for the Baltic cod stocks as advised by ICES.
September 8, 2014
Indicators and reference levels in focus during MSFD workshop on Descriptor 3
ICES invited stakeholders to a workshop to review the 2010 Commission Decision on criteria and methodical standards on Good Environmental Status of marine waters for descriptor 3 of the MSFD. Criterion 3.2 and 3.3 where in focus.
September 8, 2014
BALTFISH to discuss Baltic TACs
The Commission’s proposal for Baltic is one of the issues on the agenda of this week’s BALTFISH meetings, which will also deal with the future multispecies management plan for cod, herring and sprat. Today, representatives of the Baltic Member States meet with stakeholders to discuss regional fisheries management in the Baltic. After the BALTFISH Forum, … Continued
September 4, 2014
Commission proposal for Baltic TACs released
The Commission proposal for Baltic TACs is balanced and largely in line with both the scientific advice and the new objectives of the CFP, but does not contain a proposal for the eastern Baltic cod stock.
August 29, 2014
Stakeholders meet to discuss marine spatial plans and aquaculture within the Baltic Sea
Yesterday stakeholders meet to discuss Marine Spatial Planning and aquaculture in the Baltic Sea, a round table event hosted by PartiSEApate. During the discussions it became clear that member states have different views on what would be sustainable aquaculture within the Baltic Sea.
August 25, 2014
STECF sceptic to exclude seal damaged fish from Baltic Sea landing obligation
STECF have raised skepticism on two issues in the BALTFISH discard ban plan for the Baltic Sea; namely, that exemptions for seal damaged fish will make the ban difficult to control and that it is more appropriate to use de minimis rule also for seal damaged fish. These concerns have earlier been called for by FISH, and other NGOs active in the region, in our communication with BALTFISH.
August 21, 2014
Ship noise – a reason for eel declines?
A new study by scientists from the University of Exeter and Bristol in the UK has shown that eels are losing the fight to survive when faced with marine noise pollution such as that of passing ships as they lose crucial responses to predator threats.
August 20, 2014
Baltic multispecies plan expected to be proposed by the Commission shortly
The Baltic Sea multispecies management plan will be the first of a series of new management plans under the new CFP that will ”put the meat on the bones of the reform”.
August 11, 2014
Quota deductions announced for Member States that exceeded their quota in 2013
The European Commission announced deductions from 2014 fishing quotas to a group of ten Member States that have exceeded their quotas for 2013.