News

August 19, 2019

Op-ed: Finland can lead the EU in ending overfishing

In July, Finland assumed two important roles that could have a significant impact on the Baltic Sea, EU fish stocks and the health of the ocean globally.


August 19, 2019

Iberian sardine, a tale of poor management

In a letter to the European Commission, Spanish and Portuguese governments twelve environmental organisations have detailed the mismanagement of the Iberian sardine stock (Sardina pilchardus).


August 15, 2019

NGOs call on the European Commission to take legal action over huge number of whale and dolphin deaths

Environmental NGOs have jointly called on the European Commission to take legal action against 15 EU governments for failing in their legal duty to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises in the North East Atlantic from capture in fishing nets (bycatch).


August 14, 2019

EU Commission steps in to protect Baltic cod

On 22 July 2019 the European Commission approved emergency measures to protect eastern Baltic cod. This is detailed in Implementing Regulation 2019/1248 “establishing measures to alleviate a serious threat to the conservation of the eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) stock”.


July 10, 2019

Fishyleaks.eu to blow whistle on unethical or illegal fishing practices

A new website launched today, Fishyleaks.eu, aims to provide a confidential, anonymous and secure way for people working in the fishing industry, public authorities or other areas to report what they believe are improper, unethical or illegal fishing practices.


July 4, 2019

EU evaluation of eel management in final stages

In April 2018 the European Commission released a Roadmap for its evaluation of the Eel Regulation. Since then, two public consultations have been carried out, in parallel with an external evaluation of regulation and its national implementation. Conclusions were expected early this year, but has now been delayed until after the summer. The ongoing evaluation … Continued


July 2, 2019

Jubilee puts eel in the spotlight

The Sustainable Eel Group has celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a full week of eel-inspired activities, ending with a two-day conference in London. For a few days, this put a much needed spotlight on the state of European eel and all that ails it. On its way from egg to mature silver eel, the … Continued


June 18, 2019

Over 10 million Eastern Baltic cod illegally discarded last year

According to data collected by the ICES Baltic Fisheries Assessment Working Group over 10 million Eastern Baltic cod were thrown away last year. The EU landing obligation has however made it illegal to discard Baltic cod since 2015.


June 12, 2019

A ship full of ocean knowledge at Danish Democratic Festival

Folkemødet, Denmark’s Democratic Festival in Allinge, Bornholm, takes place on June 13-16, 2019. This year environmental and fisheries NGOs will bring the schooner Freia, a ship full of knowledge, to the event. Everyone is welcome on board to participate in seminars and events to learn more about our oceans, the fisheries that depend upon them and what is needed to manage them sustainably.


June 10, 2019

Joint NGO recommendations on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2020

In October 2019, EU fisheries ministers will agree on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2020. This will be the final Council meeting where fisheries ministers have the opportunity to end overfishing of Baltic Sea species by 2020, as is legally required by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).