News
February 13, 2007
Illegal Baltic cod fishing a severe problem
An unpublished Commission evaluation of the Baltic Member States fisheries control points out Poland as the main culprit, but with severe problems in Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Denmark and Latvia. The results are alarming, confirming the picture ICES already has pointed out, that illegal landings of cod is a major problem in the Baltic Sea. During … Continued
February 10, 2007
For Cod’s Sake?
The cod war in Poland is heated and the Polish government continues attempts to convince the European Commission that there is plenty of cod in the sea. Starting in October, counts of cod stocks in the Baltic will begin at the request of the Polish Fisheries Minister, Marek Gróbarczyk. According to a polish daily, Dziennik, … Continued
February 5, 2007
Commission review of EC deep-water fisheries fails to deliver actions
The Commission published last week a highly critical review of deep-water fisheries management. Appropriate recommendations for actions are missing, as the review is only pointing out the need for improved monitoring, control and data collection. The review concludes that reductions of the current levels of exploitation are inevitable. A much needed step is restricting licenses … Continued
January 30, 2007
Conference on Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund, Seville, Spain 25 – 27 Jan 2007
The European Commission organised a three day conference on the implementation of Priority Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) – Sustainable Development of Fisheries Regions. The conference built on two previous events; in Tallin 2005, and Porto 2006. The conference had about 60 participants, mostly representing EU member states and regional authorities. Priority … Continued
January 16, 2007
US president Bush on Friday signed legislation aimed at preventing overfishing in US waters
From 2010 commercial fisheries in the US will have to set conservation plans within a two-year period. A 10-year permit system will be set, which would still allow some limited access in overfished waters. Bush urged an overhaul of provisions in existing legislation known as the Magnusson-Stevens Fish Management Act, after which the US Congress … Continued
January 3, 2007
U.N. Lifts Ban on Caviar Exports from the Caspian Sea
On Tuesday the United Nations lifted a year-old embargo on exports of most types of caviar from the Caspian Sea, which is the main source of the delicacy, regardless of the fact that Sturgeon stocks are continuing to decline. Caviar exports, with the value of as much as US$9,500 a kilo, were banned in 2006 … Continued
December 22, 2006
December Council decision on 2007 fishing levels: Too little, too late
Brussels, Belgium. European Union fisheries ministers agreed after difficulty on fishing levels for 2007, still ignoring scientific advice by setting levels so high that recovery of depleted stocks are at risk. Landings of cod in the North Sea will decrease with 14 % compared with the level of 2006. ICES, the scientific body assessing and … Continued
December 18, 2006
Environment Ministers fail to adopt a strong Marine Strategy Directive
Comment on the Council agreement on the Marine Strategy Directive (Environment Council 18th December 2006). The Fisheries Secretariat joined with BirdLife International, the European Environment Bureau, Greenpeace, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Oceana, Seas At Risk, the European Coastal Union and WWF, in criticising today’s Council agreement on the Marine Strategy Directive as lacking … Continued
December 14, 2006
Exceptional commercial fishermen receive conservation award
MARATHON, Florida – December 12 – The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) presented the third annual Gladding Memorial Award for commercial fishing conservation leadership to Mr. Carlton Young of Placencia, Belize and Mr. Ceylon Clayton of Little Bay, Jamaica, during its 59th Annual Meeting in November in Belize City, Belize. The Gladding Memorial Award, … Continued
November 28, 2006
Proposal for secure funding for the RACs
Today,the European Commission further acknowledged the important contribution of the recently established Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) to the application of the Common Fisheries Policy by proposing to increase the amount of EU financial support that they currently receive. The Commission proposes to amend the legal base of the RACs (1) and to define them as … Continued