Oceana successfully co-organised a new edition of Ocean Week in Brussels, which proved to be an unmissable opportunity to highlight ocean issues to the new political leadership in the EU. Oceana campaign teams participated in several events where we gave voice to small-scale fishers, presented a comprehensive set of policy measures for the upcoming term, and discussed with politicians. The combined attendance of the week was of hundreds of people.

France and Spain prioritise large-scale fleets over artisanal vessels when allocating fishing opportunities, findings by Oceana unveiled. The ocean conservation organisation is calling on EU Member States to be more transparent about their criteria when allocating fishing opportunities to their fleets, and to put more focus on avoiding habitat damage caused by the vessel, reducing its carbon footprint, and increasing employment. Read more about this research here and here.

A new Oceana analysis shows nearly 3,000 fishing vessels spent months – and sometimes years – at sea without coming to port last year. These long voyages can be a risk indicator of illegal fishing activity or forced labor. “Extensive time at sea keeps vessels away from scrutiny and increases the risk of illicit conduct on the high seas. We cannot have accountability at sea without transparency at sea.” – Oceana Campaign Director Dr. Max Valentine. Learn more about this analysis HERE.

Civil society organisations are launching a campaign to stop bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs). A new report launched by Oceana, Seas at Risk and Marine Conservation Society with maps by Only One has found that bottom trawling takes place in 90% of EU offshore MPAs. The organisations call on the EU to take tougher action against EU countries that still allow this technique in their MPAs, a practice that must be phased out by 2030. Bottom trawling is a fishing method that involves one or more boats pulling heavy fishing nets along the ocean floor. It is very destructive, as it results in ecosystem loss, the release of carbon stored in the seabed, and high levels of bycatch. Learn more HERE.