Sciaena

The ocean 🌊 is our planet's largest natural carbon sink, and a vital ally in combating climate change. But did you know that instead of promoting policies to nurse it back to health so it can perform its natural planet-defending functions 🌍 , some are looking into how to exploit it further under the guise of fighting climate change? We're talking about marine geo-engineering: the new 'false friend' on the block. 🙅♀️ While at surface level the intentions of marine geo-engineering sound positive, in reality these high-risk methods could cause vast and irreversible harm to marine biodiversity 👎, disrupt livelihoods in coastal communities 👎 and delay the deep emission cuts that are necessary right now 👎. Read more in our brand ✨ new ✨ position paper: https://lnkd.in/dA8j4zmU Charlina Vitcheva, Kurt Vandenberghe, Dr. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Jessika Roswall, Wopke Hoekstra, Christophe Clergeau, Hands Off Mother Earth! (HOME) Alliance, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Ann Dom, Monica Verbeek, Simon Holmström

 Marine geo-engineering: the new 'false friend' on the block. 🙅♀️

Today, the Council of the European Union adopted a general approach on the Proposal for a Regulation aimed at preventing pellet losses to reduce #MicroplasticPollution. The good 😊: The regulation’s scope is more comprehensive, with a stronger definition of #PlasticPellets, recognition of different facets of the supply chain, and inclusion of companies responsible for cleaning plastic pellet containers and tanks. The bad 😕: Accountability gaps and extended delays for many operators, including SMEs and maritime transport  The ugly 🫣: The exemption for companies handling less than 5 tonnes of plastic pellets per year fails to account for the inherent spill risks associated with all pellet-handling activities.  Check out what Frédérique MONGODIN had to say 👇 and read the full Rethink Plastic Alliance reaction here: https://lnkd.in/g2KuydU2 Surfrider Foundation Europe Environmental Investigation Agency

Last week, 26 new EU Commissioners took office as part of Ursula von der Leyen’s second term. In a letter to five of the new Commissioners with portfolios spanning climate, environment, fisheries and ocean, industry and a clean and just transition, the DSCC and its members highlighted priorities and opportunities for the EU to #DefendTheDeep 🌊

This week, nine #NorthSea countries met to advance the #GreaterNorthSeaBasinInitiative, a framework to strengthen cross-border and cross-sector cooperation in #MaritimeSpatialPlanning for the North Sea, which will play an important role in the EU's energy transition. At this critical moment, we are launching our new position paper "Powering the future, preserving the ocean: A vision for nature-inclusive offshore renewables" 📑 #OffshoreRenewableEnergy will play a strategic role in mitigating climate change, but its success hinges on harmonious integration with nature 🪸 and the benefits it brings people. The European Court of Auditors, the EU's key accountability authority, concluded that the EU is not taking enough steps to consider the ecological impact of accelerated offshore renewable development nor to include citizens 🫂 in the decision-making process.  Informed by recent scientific studies, exemplary best practices, and national-level feedback from members, this position paper puts forward a clear vision for nature-inclusive offshore renewables across the EU with 🔟 concrete policy recommendations 👇 Read the position paper here: https://lnkd.in/g5FRasSA

🚨Big News for Atlantic Fisheries! 🚨 The 2024 ICCAT and NEAFC annual meetings have concluded, bringing crucial developments for the sustainable management of our ocean resources: 🌊North Atlantic Swordfish: A groundbreaking multiannual management procedure adopted, boosting predictability and resilience for both fisheries and ecosystems. 🌍 Climate Change: Forward-looking decisions on incorporating climate impacts into fisheries management, paving the way for healthier, more resilient oceans. ⚓️ Combatting IUU Fishing: Strong measures to enhance observer safety, electronic monitoring, and transshipment oversight. 🐟 Tropical Tunas: Progress made but at a potential cost—some measures were relaxed, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. Meanwhile, at the NEAFC meeting, while progress on biodiversity protection was evident, it underscored the need for greater transparency and more decisive action for sustainable fisheries. ⛓️💥 Read our full analysis of ICCAT and NEAFC 2024 at https://lnkd.in/dDrqRibj Let’s keep pushing for ocean stewardship that balances ecological health with the needs of dependent communities.🩵 #ICCAT2024 #NEAFC2024 #YearOfBigEyeTuna #HarvestStrategies #MakeOrBreak4Mako #BlueSharkBlues #StayTuned #MakeEBFMWork

Over the past decade, the body that manages tunas, billfish and pelagic sharks in the Atlantic (i.e., ICCAT) has led the development of science-based management procedures (MPs) - a crucial tool for ensuring the long-term health and productivity of these economically and ecologically vital fisheries. The iconic Atlantic bluefin tuna is now managed under an MP, with catch limits grounded in the best available science, and the North Atlantic albacore rule, adopted in 2017, has enabled stock growth alongside measured catch increases, even during the challenges of the global pandemic. Now, as ICCAT members gather in Limassol, Cyprus for the annual meeting, the opportunity to build on this momentum is clear. Two additional stocks - North Atlantic swordfish and western Atlantic skipjack tuna - are primed for MP adoption, which would bring ICCAT's total number of MP-managed species to five out of the eight priority stocks initially identified for this transformative approach. This would represent a big step forward and pave the way to start MP development for additional commercially important stocks. Learn more about ICCAT's MP-related opportunities in Cyprus by reading the full blog below. https://lnkd.in/e9v6hZ29 #ManagementProcedure #HarvestStrategies #ICCAT

🌊 Sciaena is back in London for the 43rd Annual Meeting of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)! We’re here to track key discussions on protecting the rich yet fragile marine life of the NE Atlantic. With climate change putting more pressure on this vital ecosystem, we’re calling for a shift from single-species management to a comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach. It’s time for decision makers to set clear, actionable goals to safeguard ocean resilience. 🌍💙 #NEAFC #EBFM #MakeEBFMWork #VMEs #Seamounts #OceanLifelines

🌍 Exciting times as #ICCAT2024 takes place in Limassol, Cyprus, from 11 to 18 November! Sciaena is on site to closely follow discussions and advocate for impactful decisions that prioritize healthy fish populations and a resilient ocean. (tiles 1&2) 🎣 Is 2024 the year #ICCAT finally adopts a strong Tropical Tuna measure? We're urging CPCs to agree on a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and additional measures that give the Bigeye Tuna stock a high probability of staying within sustainable limits. (tile 3) 🔑 After coming close in 2023, a management procedure for North Atlantic Swordfish must be adopted at #ICCAT2024. Let's not miss this opportunity to safeguard this crucial stock! We also look forward to advances in Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) processes for Tropical Tuna, Blue Shark, and Southern Albacore. (tile 4) ICCAT can lead by example and #MakeEBFMWork by: - Integrating climate change considerations into fisheries management, - Continuing to develop and adopt effective management procedures, - Strengthening conservation measures for sensitive species 🦈🐢🐦. (tile 5) Will #ICCAT maintain its reputation as a leader in #RFMO on Monitoring and Control? We're hopeful for progress on electronic monitoring (EM), catch documentation schemes (CDS), transhipment, and High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI). (tile 6) To all decision-makers in Limassol, let’s make this a landmark meeting for sustainable pelagic fisheries in the Atlantic and contribute to the health of our ocean ecosystems! 🌊 (tile 7) 📌 Check out our priorities here: https://t.co/Mt4j19Gpkw #YearOfBigEyeTuna #StayTuned #HarvestStrategies #MakeOrBreak4Mako #BlueSharkBlues #ICCAT Stijn Billiet Charlina Vitcheva Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar NOAA Fisheries Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Seas At Risk The Pew Charitable Trusts WWF The Ocean Foundation Global Fishing Watch International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) Ecology Action Centre Defenders of Wildlife Global Tuna Alliance

Last day for submissions 🚨✍️