News
December 11, 2013
Parliament vote fails to protect deep-sea stocks
At yesterday’s plenary vote at the European Parliament on deep-sea fishing in the North-East Atlantic, the Commission proposal to phase out deep-sea bottom trawling and bottom gill netting was narrowly defeated by 342 votes to 326.
December 10, 2013
December Council – FISH & Seas at Risk call on Ministers to set science-based quotas
In our briefing for the December Council, at which TACs and quotas will be set for the majority of EU fish stocks, we have called on Ministers to set fishing opportunities in line with the principle of MSY management.
November 9, 2013
First trilogue on EMFF moved to 13 November
The trilogue discussions between Council, European Parliament and the Commission on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund should have begun yesterday. This first meeting has, however, been cancelled.
October 23, 2013
Parliament takes one step beyond the madness of fishing subsidies
In their final vote on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the European Parliament demonstrated again its ability to vote for responsible, science-based management. Their amendments to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the €6.5 billion subsidy package, aim to enhance stock recovery and end environmentally harmful subsidies.
October 22, 2013
Invasive species in focus at FishBase Symposium
FishBase held its annual Symposium in Stockholm yesterday focusing on invasive species. A number of invited researchers shared their expertise and knowledge of past, current and future invasive species in European waters and possible management actions.
October 17, 2013
Regionalisation results in fast decision on Baltic quotas
Today, an agreement on Baltic quotas for 2014 was quickly reached, following regional negotiations between the Baltic Member States in the new BALTFISH structure. Commissioner Damanaki highlighted the agreement as a success “for Baltic fish stocks and for EU regionalisation”.
October 14, 2013
Fisheries subsidies – you get what you pay for
On October 23, the European Parliament (EP) plenary vote on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the subsidy package of the CFP, will take place. Several controversial amendments are on the table and voting is expected to be close, however, there are also many opportunities which can help the EU to invest in a healthier and more profitable fishing industry.
October 4, 2013
Russian representative to HELCOM receives public signatures
At the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Copenhagen yesterday, the signatures from the Baltic public in support of swift actions to improve the health of the Baltic Sea were handed over to the Russian delegation.
October 3, 2013
HELCOM Ministerial Declaration agreed – Environmental ministers severely delay deadlines to restore the Baltic Sea
While the Baltic Sea Action Plan will be fully implemented, the good environmental status of the troubled sea will not be reached by 2021.
October 3, 2013
RFTB hands over public call for action to Poland
The Race for the Baltic campaign delegation also met with the Polish Government representative Mr Andrzej Jagusiewicz at the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting to hand over the signatures from the Baltic public collected this summer calling for more ambitious action to restore the health of the Baltic Sea.