News
July 3, 2009
UK stakeholders meet to discuss CFP reform
During a conference in the UK on 30 June, a lot of support emerged for a substantial change in the way decisions are made under the Common Fisheries Policy. About 60 people met during a conference in London to discuss the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. A range of speakers had been asked to … Continued
July 2, 2009
Cod on stage puts Man on trial
The Baltic cod and eel has had enough, they’re mad as hell, and they’re not going to take it anymore in a “science theatre” piece premiered among thousands of politicians, lobbyists and media pundits at the 2009 Almedalen week on the island of Gotland. Taken hostage through deep sea trawling, the audience is brought down … Continued
July 1, 2009
Cash flows the Spanish way
After two years’ hard work, two NGOs have been able to obtain figures that show that almost half of all EU subsidies to fisheries have gone to one nation – Spain – and that tens of millions of Euros by en large have been spent subsidising vessels and practices worsening illegal fishing, increasing EU fleet … Continued
July 1, 2009
Energy efficiency comparable on new EU website
Decisions from a conference in 2006 arranged by DG MARE, the EU Commission’s office for fisheries and other maritime issues, included the setting up a website on energy efficiency in fisheries. That website is now operative. The aim to of the website is to spread information on that topic and share experiences relating to it. … Continued
July 1, 2009
Nordic cooperation to show what works
Dismissing the current EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as ”a fiasco, according to many”, a gathering of Nordic politicians has said that their own “working” solutions could set an example for the next CFP. The Environment and Natural Resources Committee of the Nordic Council, a cooperation between Sweden, Denmark and Finland and EU non-members but … Continued
July 1, 2009
Scotland looks into fisheries slump
In order to “support our fishing industry during these difficult times”, the Scottish government has commissioned a detailed study of the recession hitting that business. The study, to be undertaken by the Sea Fish Industry Authority, will look at the impact of issues on fishermen such as quotas, fuel and fish prices, and the days … Continued
July 1, 2009
New England to try transferable quotas
US fisheries managers in New England, beleaguered by overfishing and an infamously collapsed cod stock, are trying a system of transferable quotas within cooperatives of fishermen. New England was hit hard by the total collapse of the enormous cod stock off Eastern Canada and Northeastern USA in the early 1990s. Over the last 20 years, … Continued
June 26, 2009
ICES on Kattegat Cod: Let it be
No catches at all in the Kattegat and a recovery plan not making the grade. A small TAC increase in the North Sea and the Skagerrak – given that tough restrictions are really imposed and enforced, which many doubt. The scientific advice for next year’s catch quotas remain guardedly pessimistic. Some other fish in those … Continued
June 25, 2009
Sweden gets new Marine Policy
“Integrated”, “cross-sectorial” and “overall approach” are key terms in a new Marine Policy the Swedish Riksdag (Parliament) has adopted. The bill for a new, comprehensive marine policy was introduced by the cabinet last spring. The focus of the new policy will be the sustainable exploitation of the resources of the sea and coastal areas, in … Continued
June 25, 2009
Study shows: Transparency and participation key to sustainable management
Little is known whether management schemes practiced around the world really help against overexploitation and improve sustainability. A new comprehensive study indicates meagre results. The study, published on the Public Library of Science website with Camilo Mora, a Colombian researcher at Dalhousie University and the University of California San Diego as lead author, had surveyed … Continued