European Union Adopts Nature Restoration Law, Including New Protections for Marine Habitats
A new biodiversity law in the European Union— the first in 30 years — requires EU Member States to implement restoration measures for at least 20% of EU seas by 2030, and for all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This legal framework establishes targets, timelines, and plans for countries to restore Europe’s degraded ecosystems. The targets include restoring 30% of specific marine habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. Thanks to campaigning by Oceana and our allies, the law requires countries in the EU to find joint solutions when there is a conflict between marine restoration goals and destructive activities like bottom trawling in areas fished by neighboring countries. The law also empowers the European Commission to act with emergency measures in the absence of such joint solutions.
A new biodiversity law in the European Union— the first in 30 years — requires EU Member States to implement restoration measures for at least 20% of EU seas by 2030, and for all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This legal framework establishes targets, timelines, and plans for countries to restore Europe’s degraded ecosystems. The targets include restoring 30% of specific marine habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. Thanks to campaigning by Oceana and our allies, the law requires countries in the EU to find joint solutions when there is a conflict between marine restoration goals and destructive activities like bottom trawling in areas fished by neighboring countries. The law also empowers the European Commission to act with emergency measures in the absence of such joint solutions.
May, 2024
Brazil Establishes Science-Based Catch Limits for Lobster
The Brazilian government approved new science-based catch limits for the red spiny lobster and the green lobster fisheries during the 2024 season. Lobster fishing in Brazil is predominantly artisanal and is the main source of income for many traditional fishing communities. In 2019, Oceana released a stock assessment that revealed the red lobster population had declined by more than 80% since the 1950s. Oceana’s analysis and campaigning helped to mobilize artisanal fishers, fishing industries, and other allies to support implementing catch limits, which will help recover the lobster populations and support local fishing communities. To combat illegal fishing, the regulation also bans the sale of lobster in domestic markets during the last three months of the fisheries’ closed season.
The Brazilian government approved new science-based catch limits for the red spiny lobster and the green lobster fisheries during the 2024 season. Lobster fishing in Brazil is predominantly artisanal and is the main source of income for many traditional fishing communities. In 2019, Oceana released a stock assessment that revealed the red lobster population had declined by more than 80% since the 1950s. Oceana’s analysis and campaigning helped to mobilize artisanal fishers, fishing industries, and other allies to support implementing catch limits, which will help recover the lobster populations and support local fishing communities. To combat illegal fishing, the regulation also bans the sale of lobster in domestic markets during the last three months of the fisheries’ closed season.
April, 2024
Oceana Wins Lawsuit, Court Requires Rebuilding of Collapsed US Pacific Sardine Fishery
Following a legal challenge by Oceana and Earthjustice, a United States Federal District Court ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to meet its legal obligation to rebuild the U.S. West Coast Pacific sardine population, which has been mismanaged for more than a decade and remains well below healthy population levels. The Fisheries Service must now develop a new rebuilding plan and environmental analysis that includes science-based catch limits to prevent overfishing and recover the species. Pacific sardines are an essential food for marine mammals, Chinook salmon, and other commercially important fish. Sardine collapse can have wide ranging impacts on coastal communities and ocean ecosystems, and in California, has led to sea lions starving and reproductive failure among brown pelicans. Oceana will continue to campaign to recover the sardine population and ensure the rebuilding plan is properly implemented and enforced.
Following a legal challenge by Oceana and Earthjustice, a United States Federal District Court ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to meet its legal obligation to rebuild the U.S. West Coast Pacific sardine population, which has been mismanaged for more than a decade and remains well below healthy population levels. The Fisheries Service must now develop a new rebuilding plan and environmental analysis that includes science-based catch limits to prevent overfishing and recover the species. Pacific sardines are an essential food for marine mammals, Chinook salmon, and other commercially important fish. Sardine collapse can have wide ranging impacts on coastal communities and ocean ecosystems, and in California, has led to sea lions starving and reproductive failure among brown pelicans. Oceana will continue to campaign to recover the sardine population and ensure the rebuilding plan is properly implemented and enforced.
March, 2024
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.
