Integrating economic advice into EU fisheries management

To manage our EU fisheries well, we need sound data, analysis and advice, both biological and economic. How do we make sure that the data on which we build our fisheries policies and management decisions are timely, accurate and indeed relevant? A European Commission conference, underway in Malta today and …

Contributions received on the Consultation on International Ocean Governance are published

The European Commission has published the contributions from Public authorities, Registered and Non-registered organisations and individual citizens on the Public consultation on “International Ocean Governance”, which was launched in summer 2015. It has also provided a list with all the answers received. Visit the EC’s webpage here: PUBLIC CONSULTATION and check …

Marine sustainability in an age of changing oceans and seas

Oceans and seas play a crucial role in regulating our climate, nurturing biodiversity, and providing income and food to people around the world. At COP21, governments across the globe agreed that we must set a more aggressive limit for global warming. This limit is one essential step toward a more …

COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade: Report

The report of the Fourteeth Session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade is now available here. Established in 1985, the Sub-Committee shall provide a forum for consultations on technical and economic aspects of international trade in fish and fishery products including pertinent aspects of production and consumption. In particular, …

Commission proposes new rules to improve transparency and monitoring of EU fleet fishing internationally

Commission proposes new system to grant and manage authorisations that will allow authorities to better monitor both EU vessels fishing outside Union waters and international vessels fishing in our own waters. The European Commission today proposed a new system to grant and manage fishing authorisations, allowing authorities to better monitor …

EU speaks out at UN General Assembly in favour of better managed oceans and sustainable fishing

Oceans, seas and their resources are an important part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The international community has the responsibility to implement agreed commitments properly in order to counter the major threats to the marine environment and ensure that sustainable development targets are met. This was the EU’s message …

European Court of Justice decides in favor of European Parliament in cod case

Today the European Court of Justice ruled in favour of the European Parliament regarding the multiannual cod plan in the Atlantic and North Sea (Case C-124/13). Read the Court ruling here. This means that the Council of the EU did not have the authority to split the proposal for a …

EU and Mauritania sign a new 4-year Sustainable Fisheries Protocol

On 16th November, a new Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between EU and Mauritania has been signed. The renewal of the Protocol means that EU vessels may resume their fishing activities in Mauritanian waters. The new Protocol will enter fully into force only after the necessary procedures have …

Fleet report shows progress towards more sustainable fleet levels

The Commission adopted the annual fleet report (2013) last week. The report shows that Member States are continuing to make progress in adjusting their fishing capacity and achieving a balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities. On 1 January 2014, 86.879 vessels were registered in the EU fleet register, with …

Understanding fisheries technical rules

Fisheries technical measures encompass a large variety of rules which set various characteristics of fishing gear and specifications for its use or which restrict certain type of fishing in some areas or time periods. They are intended to prevent the catching of marine organisms that should not be caught in …