The European Parliament today concluded a long process of negotiation by voting to adopt a new regulation on deep-sea fishing, including a ban on bottom trawling below 800 meters in EU waters, and an obligation to close deep-sea areas to bottom fishing to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). The Parliament vote to approve the regulation paves the way for its entry into force early in the new year. The priority now is to ensure vigorous and effective implementation.
As officials meet this week to consider new EU legislation to manage deep-sea fisheries, a new scientific study highlights a pragmatic solution to protecting one of the most vulnerable environments on earth.
As the European Union Fisheries Council meets today in Luxembourg, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition calls on Ministers to progress negotiations of a new regulation for the management of deep-sea fisheries so it may be concluded without further delay.
Continue reading DSCC calls for urgent action by EU Fisheries Ministers
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On 21 January 2015, MPs from across party divides joined with leading UK marine scientists and NGOs to call on the government to take a leading role in EU negotiations to ensure sustainable deep-sea fisheries, the phasing out of the most destructive methods, bottom trawling and gillnetting, and minimise harm to vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems in UK waters.
Continue reading Professor Phil Weaver speaks at Houses of Parliament deep-sea event
On 21 January 2015, MPs from across party divides joined with leading UK marine scientists and NGOs to call on the government to take a leading role in EU negotiations to ensure sustainable deep-sea fisheries, the phasing out of the most destructive methods, bottom trawling and gillnetting, and minimise harm to vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems in UK waters.
Continue reading Dr Kerry Howell speaks at House of Parliament deep sea event
On 21 January 2015, MPs from across party divides joined with leading UK marine scientists and NGOs to call on the government to take a leading role in EU negotiations to ensure sustainable deep-sea fisheries, the phasing out of the most destructive methods, bottom trawling and gillnetting, and minimise harm to vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems in UK waters.
Continue reading Dr Clive Trueman speaks at Houses of Parliament deep-sea event
On 21 January 2015, MPs from across party divides joined with leading UK marine scientists and NGOs to call on the government to take a leading role in EU negotiations to ensure sustainable deep-sea fisheries, the phasing out of the most destructive methods, bottom trawling and gillnetting, and minimise harm to vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems in UK waters.
Continue reading Dr David Bailey speaks at Houses of Parliament deep-sea event
Source: The Guardian
Author: Alex Rogers
There is a tendency to think of the deep waters around the British Isles as cold, dark, desolate places that cannot be compared to their vibrant tropical counterparts. Cold and dark, yes, but those of us who have had the privilege to visit and study these areas know that they are anything but desolate. The UK’s deep-sea ecosystems comprise a fantastic variety of life, including cold-water corals, sponge fields, and unique underwater habitats and species.
Continue reading UK should take a lead role in the EU drive to overhaul deep-sea trawling
