News

November 17, 2011

EU subsidies are “a complete mess”

Yesterday, the organisation fishsubsidy.org published their report “Eyes Wide Shut” on the allocation and mismanagement of subsidies from the EU Fisheries Fund (EFF) since 2007.


November 16, 2011

EU Fisheries Council takes on External Dimension

On 14 November, the EU Fisheries Council focused on discussions and exchange of viewpoints on the Commission’s proposal for the External Dimension of the Common fisheries Policy (CFP). Originally, Atlantic and North Sea total allowable catches (TACs) were supposed to be decided on—as per Commission's suggestion—but in the end, the Council decided that all TACs will be set in December.


November 14, 2011

November Council meeting on the External dimension in the new CFP

On 14 November the EU Fisheries Council will meet in Brussels to exchange views on the External dimension as as part of the negotiations of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. The discussion will focus on three main themes:


November 8, 2011

European Parliament Committees vote against fisheries agreement with Morocco

Yesterday, both the Budget and Development Committees in the European Parliament recommended rejecting the extension of the EU-Morocco fisheries partnership agreement. The opinions of these two committees will provide input to the Fisheries Committee, which is expected to vote on the agreement on 22 or 23 November.


November 8, 2011

BS RAC discussed Multiannual Salmon Plan

As the BS RAC discussed the proposed multiannual plan for Baltic salmon for the first time, a number of specific issues were on the agenda, among them the proposed targets, data collection and reporting, the suggested phase out of compensatory releases and minimum landing sizes.


November 3, 2011

MSC certified fisheries show positive environmental impacts

Published yesterday, the report carried out by three expert marine science consultancies, Researching the Environmental Impacts of the MSC Certification Programme, concludes that those fisheries which are engaged in Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process show progress in minimizing negative environmental impacts.


October 27, 2011

Greenpeace to European Commission: Sweden fails to protect Natura 2000 areas

Today Greenpeace Nordic filed a criminal complaint to the European Commission against the Swedish Government for breaching the EU Habitats Directive, and specifically for the failure to properly implement the rules which restrict fisheries in the designated Natura 2000 areas.


October 25, 2011

Damanaki to address UK Parliament committee on CFP reform

On Thursday 27th October, Commissioner Damanaki will be exchanging views with the Members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of the UK Parliament on the Commission proposals for a reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The session will be webstreamed live.


October 24, 2011

October Council: some progress, but not enough, on Baltic Sea TACs

On Friday, European Fisheries Ministers agreed on levels for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for the Baltic Sea in 2012. Building on the progress from last year, Ministers decided to apply cuts for those stocks where scientists had recommended decreases. Although, some important steps towards stock recovery and the achievement of Maximum Sustainable Yield by 2015 were made, the Minsters decisions are still not in line with scientific advice for all stocks.


October 21, 2011

October Council: Baltic TACs to be set

Next year’s catch quotas for the Baltic Sea will be decided at the October Council meeting on 21 October.