Oregon Safeguards Marine Reserves and Protected Areas
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, Oregon state lawmakers passed a bill to strengthen and fully fund its system of five marine reserves and adjacent protected areas. The bill will enhance the science, conservation, and management of these areas and better facilitate engagement with coastal communities and Native American tribes. Oregon’s marine reserve program helps to protect the health and biodiversity of the marine ecosystem for ocean wildlife and Oregonians. Combined, the fully protected reserves and less-restrictive protected areas total 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) and nearly 10% of Oregon’s ocean waters.
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, Oregon state lawmakers passed a bill to strengthen and fully fund its system of five marine reserves and adjacent protected areas. The bill will enhance the science, conservation, and management of these areas and better facilitate engagement with coastal communities and Native American tribes. Oregon’s marine reserve program helps to protect the health and biodiversity of the marine ecosystem for ocean wildlife and Oregonians. Combined, the fully protected reserves and less-restrictive protected areas total 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) and nearly 10% of Oregon’s ocean waters.
February, 2024
California Funds Ropeless Fishing Gear to Save Whales and Turtles from Entanglements
The California Ocean Protection Council authorized new funding to help prevent whale and sea turtles from becoming entangled in fishing gear, following campaigning by Oceana and its allies. This includes up to $650,000 to advance innovative “ropeless fishing gear” in the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. This investment will help support 20 Dungeness crab fishers who received approval to test the whale-safe gear this spring. If the gear is successful, it could be authorized as soon as 2025 and allow fishing to continue in the springtime, when waters are closed to conventional gear because of the heightened risk of entanglements.
The California Ocean Protection Council authorized new funding to help prevent whale and sea turtles from becoming entangled in fishing gear, following campaigning by Oceana and its allies. This includes up to $650,000 to advance innovative “ropeless fishing gear” in the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. This investment will help support 20 Dungeness crab fishers who received approval to test the whale-safe gear this spring. If the gear is successful, it could be authorized as soon as 2025 and allow fishing to continue in the springtime, when waters are closed to conventional gear because of the heightened risk of entanglements.
January, 2024
New Law in Peru Criminalizes Illegal Construction of Fishing Vessels
The Peruvian government enacted a law that criminalizes the illegal construction and modification of fishing vessels, which leads to overfishing and threatens artisanal fishers. In recent years, the size and fishing pressure of Peru’s fishing fleet has grown rapidly, in large part due to the illegal construction of new vessels and the modification of existing vessels, allowing them to hold more catch onboard. Prior to the new law, these practices were not classified as crimes and there was no legal way to stop the perpetrators. This growing issue put law-abiding artisanal fishers’ livelihoods and the health of Peru’s oceans at risk. Oceana campaigned with artisanal fishers and other allies to enact this new law, which will give prosecutors better tools, like destroying illegal vessels, to tackle illegal fishing and reduce overfishing in Peru’s seas.
The Peruvian government enacted a law that criminalizes the illegal construction and modification of fishing vessels, which leads to overfishing and threatens artisanal fishers. In recent years, the size and fishing pressure of Peru’s fishing fleet has grown rapidly, in large part due to the illegal construction of new vessels and the modification of existing vessels, allowing them to hold more catch onboard. Prior to the new law, these practices were not classified as crimes and there was no legal way to stop the perpetrators. This growing issue put law-abiding artisanal fishers’ livelihoods and the health of Peru’s oceans at risk. Oceana campaigned with artisanal fishers and other allies to enact this new law, which will give prosecutors better tools, like destroying illegal vessels, to tackle illegal fishing and reduce overfishing in Peru’s seas.
January, 2024
California Protects Endangered Whales by Reducing Harmful Fishing Gear and Delaying Dungeness Crab Season
California first delayed the opening of the 2023-2024 commercial Dungeness crab fishery and then reduced the number of crab traps that can be deployed in the water off the central and southern California coast by 50%. These measures were implemented to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in commercial crab fishing gear. They came in response to excessive whale entanglements and a high number of humpback whale sightings, plus the discovery of a critically endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtle found entangled and drowned in commercial Dungeness crab gear. Oceana is a member of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and successfully advocated for stronger measures to protect whales from entanglement.
California first delayed the opening of the 2023-2024 commercial Dungeness crab fishery and then reduced the number of crab traps that can be deployed in the water off the central and southern California coast by 50%. These measures were implemented to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in commercial crab fishing gear. They came in response to excessive whale entanglements and a high number of humpback whale sightings, plus the discovery of a critically endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtle found entangled and drowned in commercial Dungeness crab gear. Oceana is a member of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and successfully advocated for stronger measures to protect whales from entanglement.
January, 2024
Mexico Creates Bajos del Norte National Park, New Protected Area in Gulf of Mexico
The Mexican government created Bajos del Norte National Park following a campaign and scientific expeditions by Oceana and its allies. This will be the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Gulf of Mexico covering more than 13,000 square kilometers (5,000+ square miles) – bringing the country closer to its goal of protecting 30% of its ocean by 2030. Located off the coast of Yucatan, the new MPA will conserve coral reefs, while also helping recover important commercial species like groupers, octopus, and spiny lobster. Bajos del Norte National Park will also connect with the nearby Alacranes Reef National Park to form a conservation corridor for migrating species like sharks and turtles. In 2021 and 2022, Oceana and Blancpain conducted two expeditions to the area. Our findings, and the subsequent joint efforts of national scientists, civil society organizations, fishers, and the Mexican government, made this new MPA possible.
The Mexican government created Bajos del Norte National Park following a campaign and scientific expeditions by Oceana and its allies. This will be the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Gulf of Mexico covering more than 13,000 square kilometers (5,000+ square miles) – bringing the country closer to its goal of protecting 30% of its ocean by 2030. Located off the coast of Yucatan, the new MPA will conserve coral reefs, while also helping recover important commercial species like groupers, octopus, and spiny lobster. Bajos del Norte National Park will also connect with the nearby Alacranes Reef National Park to form a conservation corridor for migrating species like sharks and turtles. In 2021 and 2022, Oceana and Blancpain conducted two expeditions to the area. Our findings, and the subsequent joint efforts of national scientists, civil society organizations, fishers, and the Mexican government, made this new MPA possible.
January, 2024
New Law in Chile will Protect Kelp Forests and 50 Other Seafloor Species
Chile’s Congress passed the Benthic Law, which will improve the management of kelp – a key ecosystem for marine life and an important resource for artisanal fishers. Currently, kelp is often harvested illegally and there is little official information about its conservation status. The new law specifies proper techniques and tools for kelp collectors, including the regulation of the “barreteo” method – harvesting kelp from the base. The law also covers more than 50 commercial species that live on the seafloor such as sea urchins, crabs, and clams. The law establishes rules to determine which species and areas should be protected and where recovery plans must be put in place. Oceana campaigned for these changes to benefit Chile’s kelp forests, the numerous species that inhabit these unique ecosystems, and the 16,000+ artisanal fishers who rely on these areas for their livelihoods.
Chile’s Congress passed the Benthic Law, which will improve the management of kelp – a key ecosystem for marine life and an important resource for artisanal fishers. Currently, kelp is often harvested illegally and there is little official information about its conservation status. The new law specifies proper techniques and tools for kelp collectors, including the regulation of the “barreteo” method – harvesting kelp from the base. The law also covers more than 50 commercial species that live on the seafloor such as sea urchins, crabs, and clams. The law establishes rules to determine which species and areas should be protected and where recovery plans must be put in place. Oceana campaigned for these changes to benefit Chile’s kelp forests, the numerous species that inhabit these unique ecosystems, and the 16,000+ artisanal fishers who rely on these areas for their livelihoods.
December, 2023
Spain Designates Seven New Marine Protected Areas
The Spanish government designated seven new marine protected areas (MPAs) in three Spanish marine regions. These areas, rich in biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems, will be part of the Natura 2000 Network, which includes the natural areas of greatest ecological value in the European Union. With this designation, the total marine area protected in Spain, including Natura 2000 areas and other areas, will increase from 12% to 21%, bringing the country closer to its goal of protecting 30% of its waters by 2030. The new MPAs will help protect key ecosystems and fisheries resources and provide climate refuges for species. Oceana campaigned for these new designations and contributed the scientific data on biodiversity hotspots collected during multiple expeditions. Oceana will continue to campaign to stop destructive fishing practices inside these areas.
The Spanish government designated seven new marine protected areas (MPAs) in three Spanish marine regions. These areas, rich in biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems, will be part of the Natura 2000 Network, which includes the natural areas of greatest ecological value in the European Union. With this designation, the total marine area protected in Spain, including Natura 2000 areas and other areas, will increase from 12% to 21%, bringing the country closer to its goal of protecting 30% of its waters by 2030. The new MPAs will help protect key ecosystems and fisheries resources and provide climate refuges for species. Oceana campaigned for these new designations and contributed the scientific data on biodiversity hotspots collected during multiple expeditions. Oceana will continue to campaign to stop destructive fishing practices inside these areas.
