News

June 25, 2020

Webinar provided much needed update on European eel

On Tuesday morning, 16 June, the Fisheries Secretariat and the Good Fish Foundation co-hosted a webinar on European eel. Over 130 people from around the EU and beyond listened to our speakers providing an update on many things eel. European eel is currently categorised as Critically Endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of … Continued


June 8, 2020

Job Advert – Fisheries Policy Officer

The Fisheries Secretariat (FishSec) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and restoration of marine ecosystem services, with a focus on fisheries. Our long-term goal is well managed seas with rich biodiversity and thriving fish stocks to secure healthy and local seafood to consumers and a sustainable fishing sector. We advocate for fisheries working within the limits of the marine ecosystem, preserving marine resources as well as their habitats.


May 29, 2020

ICES advice for Baltic Sea quotas in 2021

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has today announced their advice for next year’s fishing possibilities in the Baltic Sea. These include the recommendation to stop all fishing for Eastern Baltic cod and Western spring spawning herring, as was the case last year.


May 15, 2020

Eel migration report provides insights but also highlights data gaps

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recently published its response to a European Commission request for advice on the seasonal migration patterns of European eel[1]. The paper contains an interesting summary of the knowledge that we have on migration patterns of European eel across the continent, including glass eel recruitment and silver eel escapement, but does not actually provide much advice on whether the current measures are having an effect or not, referring to data limitations and complexities.


May 11, 2020

Take part in the EuroFishion Song Contest

Love eel and singing? Take part in the EuroFishion Song Contest


May 7, 2020

Eel Regulation relevant but lacking in implementation

The recent assessment of the European Eel Regulation concludes that it remains relevant but implementation of several aspects is poor. Authors suggests future efforts should focus more on addressing non-fisheries related mortality, as well as continued reductions in fishing mortality, especially of glass eels. The long-term use of restocking as a key measure is questioned, and the need for a population-wide approach emphasised.


April 24, 2020

EU Fisheries Commissioner answers questions from the public

During today's Q&A session, Virginius Sinkevičius the new European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, emphasised the importance of the protection of the oceans.


April 23, 2020

Plans for international Action Plan for European eel agreed

In February, the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CSM COP13) agreed that an international Action Plan for European eel is needed and should be developed before the next Conference.


April 23, 2020

Baltic Sea Advisory Council calls for the creation of a taskforce to work on the recovery of the collapsed eastern Baltic cod

The Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC), a publicly funded body providing advice on fisheries to the European Commission, has made a statement concerning the need for responsible fisheries management and the negative situation for eastern Baltic cod. The cod fishery has been closed since July 2019 and due to slow population recovery will likely remain so for several years to come.


April 17, 2020

European Council approves position for financial assistance in response to COVID-19

On 14 April the Council approved a series of proposals amending the EMFF subsidy package, allowing for increased financial assistance for EU fishermen.