The European Commission has last week awarded a grant of almost €4 million to the European research infrastructure for observing the oceans. The funds will be used to add 150 Argo floats to the project's portfolio in the next two years.
The Bluefin Tuna purse seine fishing season, lasting from 26 May to 24 June 2015, has finished with no major issues that may indicate systemic overfishing or illegal fishing activities of Bluefin Tuna by EU vessels. It was the first time in almost a decade that the EU fishermen benefited from an increased quota as BFT fishery has recovered significantly. Although scientists still need to assess the state of the stocks later this year, it is clear that the successful implementation of stricter control measures by the EU to fight IUU and overfishing has played a significant role in the recovery of the stock.
The Commission has launched a public consultation on what the EU can do to improve international governance of oceans and seas to the benefit of sustainable blue growth. Speaking at the World Ocean Summit in Portugal earlier this month, Commissioner Karmenu Vella said: "If our oceans are not healthy, our economy falls ill. Global maritime challenges require global solutions. I am committed to work intensively to define Europe's role in international ocean governance, for a sustainable blue economy and blue growth".
The EEA report on the State of Europe's Seas reaffirms our message that we still need to do more for our seas. The EU is committed to blue growth that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.
The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a regulation, upgrading the EU framework for the collection, management and use of data for fisheries.
The European Commission has launched a study to assess how best to promote and support networks between education and training organisations in the Mediterranean sea basin.
The European Commission's public consultation on international ocean governance, launched earlier this month, is now available in all languages.
The event on "Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Coastal and Island Tourism" was held on 16 June 2015, in Brussels.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place in Luxembourg on 16 June 2015.
The probable imminent start of commercial activities to mine metals from the deep ocean floor prompted the European Commission to improve public knowledge on the issue and gauge public opinion.
The 32nd North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) Annual Meeting, held in Happy Valley Goose Bay, Canada (2-5 June 2015), led to the adoption of new regulatory measures for salmon fisheries in Faroese waters and at West Greenland.
The European Union and the Republic of Liberia signed a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement as well as an associated Protocol which will reinforce cooperation between the two parties, especially in their fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and help the development of the fishing sector of Liberia. The new Partnership Agreement is expected to contribute to Liberia's recovery after the Ebola crisis and is a sign of the EU's confidence in Liberia's economy.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean has adopted at its annual session (25-29 May, Milan), a set of recommendations based on proposals made by the European Union. The recommendations are key to improving the sustainable management of fisheries for shared stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
The European Commission launched today a public consultation, to collect views on how the EU could contribute to achieving better international governance of oceans and seas to the benefit of sustainable blue growth.
Fisheries in Europe are further progressing to sustainability in the North and West of the European Union. More fish can be harvested, thereby contributing to improved revenues for our fishermen and their communities.
The European Commission has published its annual consultation paper in preparation for setting next year's fish quota later in the year.
Join #FARMEDintheEU, the European campaign about aquaculture to promote fresh, local, healthy fish and shellfish from the farmers in the water (our video is also a tribute to the movie "Love actually")
The main Bluefin Tuna fishing season runs from 26 May to 24 June; this is when large vessels, purse seiners, are allowed to fish for Bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic.
The Bluefin tuna fishery is regulated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to which the EU is a contracting party.
European Maritime Day 2015 will take place between 28 and 31 May 2015 in Piraeus, Greece. The event will bring together Europe’s maritime community around the theme of ports and coasts as engines for Blue Growth.
