Brazil’s Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Bottom Trawling in Rio Grande do Sul
In a 9-1 vote, Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld a law in the state of Rio Grande do Sul that bans industrial bottom trawling, a highly destructive form of fishing that clear-cuts the seafloor. Prior to the 2018 ban, bottom trawling was depleting fish stocks, threatening marine biodiversity, and destroying habitat, all of which the local community relies on to support their livelihoods. Oceana campaigned alongside artisanal fishers to pass this law in 2018, which safeguards the entire state’s 630-kilometer long coast and the first 20 kilometers offshore (more than 13,000 square kilometers). Since then, local communities have seen many fish stocks recover. The Supreme Court decision reinforces the importance of this law to ensuring the sustainable livelihoods for more than 20,000 families who rely on artisanal fishing in Rio Grande do Sul.
In a 9-1 vote, Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld a law in the state of Rio Grande do Sul that bans industrial bottom trawling, a highly destructive form of fishing that clear-cuts the seafloor. Prior to the 2018 ban, bottom trawling was depleting fish stocks, threatening marine biodiversity, and destroying habitat, all of which the local community relies on to support their livelihoods. Oceana campaigned alongside artisanal fishers to pass this law in 2018, which safeguards the entire state’s 630-kilometer long coast and the first 20 kilometers offshore (more than 13,000 square kilometers). Since then, local communities have seen many fish stocks recover. The Supreme Court decision reinforces the importance of this law to ensuring the sustainable livelihoods for more than 20,000 families who rely on artisanal fishing in Rio Grande do Sul.
June, 2023
New Law in Maine Sets Density Limits for Future Salmon Farms
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, the U.S. state of Maine passed a law that establishes limits on stocking density for new marine salmon farms, making it harder for developers to build monster aquaculture operations in the state’s waters. This new law follows a proposal by Norwegian-based company American Aquafarms in 2021 to build an extremely large salmon farm in Frenchman Bay, just half a mile offshore of Acadia National Park. Stocking density — the amount of fish by weight packed into an area — is a key metric of salmon and other marine finfish aquaculture. Higher stocking densities are often associated with diminished fish health and water quality. Ocean-based fish farms are inherently risky as they often also use vast amounts of pesticides and chemicals to prevent disease and parasites, which can impact the surrounding marine ecosystems.
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, the U.S. state of Maine passed a law that establishes limits on stocking density for new marine salmon farms, making it harder for developers to build monster aquaculture operations in the state’s waters. This new law follows a proposal by Norwegian-based company American Aquafarms in 2021 to build an extremely large salmon farm in Frenchman Bay, just half a mile offshore of Acadia National Park. Stocking density — the amount of fish by weight packed into an area — is a key metric of salmon and other marine finfish aquaculture. Higher stocking densities are often associated with diminished fish health and water quality. Ocean-based fish farms are inherently risky as they often also use vast amounts of pesticides and chemicals to prevent disease and parasites, which can impact the surrounding marine ecosystems.
May, 2023
European Commission Releases Public Database Disclosing Activities of EU Vessels Fishing Outside of EU Waters
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, the European Commission released a public database that allows anyone to search for information about EU-flagged vessels authorized to fish outside of European Union (EU) waters. As a measure to increase transparency, the database publishes information on each vessel, including: what waters it is authorized to fish outside of the EU and for how long; the fishing gear it is allowed to use; and its target species. Prior to this victory, public information about the activities of EU-flagged vessels fishing outside of EU waters was limited or non-existent, allowing these vessels to operate with little scrutiny. Oceana’s campaigning was critical in making this database a reality, which will help shine a light on fishing vessel activity and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, the European Commission released a public database that allows anyone to search for information about EU-flagged vessels authorized to fish outside of European Union (EU) waters. As a measure to increase transparency, the database publishes information on each vessel, including: what waters it is authorized to fish outside of the EU and for how long; the fishing gear it is allowed to use; and its target species. Prior to this victory, public information about the activities of EU-flagged vessels fishing outside of EU waters was limited or non-existent, allowing these vessels to operate with little scrutiny. Oceana’s campaigning was critical in making this database a reality, which will help shine a light on fishing vessel activity and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
May, 2023
Newly Approved Innovative Fishing Gear Will Reduce Bycatch off West Coast
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, the National Marine Fisheries Service legally authorized the commercial use of an innovative fishing gear that will protect whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean animals from fishing entanglements off the U.S. West Coast. Called deep-set buoy gear, this gear is designed to catch swordfish in a clean and profitable way. Legal authorization of this gear type is a critical step in the transition away from mile-long drift gillnets, a highly unselective fishing method that had previously entangled many other ocean animals. This newly approved fishing method consists of a floating buoy supporting a single vertical line with up to three baited hooks that is deployed during the day when swordfish feed at deeper depths than most other species. The buoys indicate when a fish has been caught, so fishers can retrieve their catch within minutes of it being hooked. Swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear earn a much higher price per pound than those caught in drift gillnets because the fish is fresher and not damaged by a net. Additionally, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program added swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear and harpoons to its Green List as a “best choice.” The Green List includes seafood recommendations for businesses and consumers based on seafood that is well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, the National Marine Fisheries Service legally authorized the commercial use of an innovative fishing gear that will protect whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean animals from fishing entanglements off the U.S. West Coast. Called deep-set buoy gear, this gear is designed to catch swordfish in a clean and profitable way. Legal authorization of this gear type is a critical step in the transition away from mile-long drift gillnets, a highly unselective fishing method that had previously entangled many other ocean animals. This newly approved fishing method consists of a floating buoy supporting a single vertical line with up to three baited hooks that is deployed during the day when swordfish feed at deeper depths than most other species. The buoys indicate when a fish has been caught, so fishers can retrieve their catch within minutes of it being hooked. Swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear earn a much higher price per pound than those caught in drift gillnets because the fish is fresher and not damaged by a net. Additionally, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program added swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear and harpoons to its Green List as a “best choice.” The Green List includes seafood recommendations for businesses and consumers based on seafood that is well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.
May, 2023
Peru Passes New Law to Protect its Oceans and Artisanal Fishers
Peru’s Congress unanimously passed a new law to strengthen protections for the first five miles off the country’s coast and support Peru’s artisanal fishers. This coastal area is one of the most productive in the world, playing a fundamental role in the life cycle of the area’s marine species. The law will reinforce the ban on large-scale industrial fishing within the first five nautical miles and prohibit any gear that is harmful to the habitat and seafloor. Specifically, boats using mechanized gear like purse seines can no longer be classified as “artisanal” and are prohibited from using this destructive gear within the first three miles off the coast. Additionally, the law requires science-based fishing quotas to be established and orders new measures to recover overfished species. This victory, which was won thanks to steadfast campaigning by artisanal fishers and their allies, including Oceana, will help support ocean abundance, biodiversity, and livelihoods in Peru.
Peru’s Congress unanimously passed a new law to strengthen protections for the first five miles off the country’s coast and support Peru’s artisanal fishers. This coastal area is one of the most productive in the world, playing a fundamental role in the life cycle of the area’s marine species. The law will reinforce the ban on large-scale industrial fishing within the first five nautical miles and prohibit any gear that is harmful to the habitat and seafloor. Specifically, boats using mechanized gear like purse seines can no longer be classified as “artisanal” and are prohibited from using this destructive gear within the first three miles off the coast. Additionally, the law requires science-based fishing quotas to be established and orders new measures to recover overfished species. This victory, which was won thanks to steadfast campaigning by artisanal fishers and their allies, including Oceana, will help support ocean abundance, biodiversity, and livelihoods in Peru.
May, 2023
New Laws in Oregon Prohibit Plastic Foam and Enable Refill Systems
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Oregon passed two new laws to combat the plastic pollution crisis. The first law phases out polystyrene foam foodware, packing peanuts, and coolers. Plastic foam is not accepted in curbside recycling and is one of the top items found polluting Oregon’s beaches. This type of plastic often breaks up into smaller pieces, disperses easily, and can persist in the environment for centuries. This law will also ban PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” from food packaging because they accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. The second law requires the state’s health code to enable restaurants to use reusable containers to serve their customers.
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Oregon passed two new laws to combat the plastic pollution crisis. The first law phases out polystyrene foam foodware, packing peanuts, and coolers. Plastic foam is not accepted in curbside recycling and is one of the top items found polluting Oregon’s beaches. This type of plastic often breaks up into smaller pieces, disperses easily, and can persist in the environment for centuries. This law will also ban PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” from food packaging because they accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. The second law requires the state’s health code to enable restaurants to use reusable containers to serve their customers.
April, 2023
New Law in Washington State Reduces Plastic Waste
Following campaigning by Oceana, the Plastics Free Washington Coalition, and other allies, a new law passed in Washington that increases access to refillable water bottle options, requires hotels to eliminate single-use plastics for personal care products, and reduces pollution from plastic foam-filled floats and docks. Specifically, it requires that new buildings constructed with water fountains also contain bottle refilling stations; phases out the use of small plastic containers, wrappers, and packaging for personal care items like shampoo or soap by hotels and other lodging establishments; bans soft plastic film-wrapped floats and docks; and mandates a study of hard-shell, foam-filled floats and docks. A 2023 poll conducted by Oceana found that 92% of Washington voters are concerned about single-use plastic products and 87% support local and state policies that reduce single-use plastic.
Following campaigning by Oceana, the Plastics Free Washington Coalition, and other allies, a new law passed in Washington that increases access to refillable water bottle options, requires hotels to eliminate single-use plastics for personal care products, and reduces pollution from plastic foam-filled floats and docks. Specifically, it requires that new buildings constructed with water fountains also contain bottle refilling stations; phases out the use of small plastic containers, wrappers, and packaging for personal care items like shampoo or soap by hotels and other lodging establishments; bans soft plastic film-wrapped floats and docks; and mandates a study of hard-shell, foam-filled floats and docks. A 2023 poll conducted by Oceana found that 92% of Washington voters are concerned about single-use plastic products and 87% support local and state policies that reduce single-use plastic.
