Europe pours tens of millions into bloating bluefin fleet
Europe poured €34.5 million of EU taxpayers’ money into increasing and modernizing its oversize bluefin tuna fleets over the very period it was coming to concede that excess fishing capacity was a key factor in overfishing and illegal fishing of collapsing bluefin stocks.
Mediterranean bluefin catches continue to mock quotas and science
New bluefin tuna catch estimates show
Tuna commission urged to add fishing halt to trade ban to save bluefin
Countries meeting in Brazil this week need to agree urgently to temporarily halt bluefin tuna fishings bluefin tuna stocks collapse, warned WWF. The warning follows findings by the fishery's own scientists that a fishing suspension is the only measure able to ensure bluefin are not still eligible for the highest level of international trade restrictions in 2019.
Genetic tuna tracking opens new options in race to save fish and fisheries
A new method that uses gene sequencing to accurately distinguish between tuna species has the potential to support fisheries management and possible trade restrictions for endangered tuna species. The revelation closely follows news that an international wildlife trade convention is to consider a proposal to ban international trade in the Mediterranean tuna next March.
Fishing for funds to be placed off limits for rule breakers
European governments and enterprises continuing to flout fisheries regulations are to be denied access to EU public funds, according to measures agreed by the EU Fisheries Council this week. WWF has welcomed the initiative, which at one stage seemed likely to be derailed by last minute objections from a group of nations fishing the Mediterranean.
‘Green Patriarch’ backs strong Copenhagen agreement
The Christian Orthodox Church’s most senior leader has issued a statement urging world leaders to join him and his more than 200 million followers in pushing for a strong and fair climate deal in Copenhagen this December.
Massive river water transfers lacking scrutiny
Large scale transfers of water from one river basin to another are generally occurring without adequate scrutiny of their economic, environmental and social impacts, according to an analysis released to World Water Week by WWF.
River managers plan a bleak water future for Europe
An ambitious European scheme to fix and safeguard its rivers and secure its water future is at risk of being undermined by poor and inadequate plans for water management prepared by EU countries, a new study by WWF and European Environment Bureau (EEB) has found.
Interest grows in neglected global water treaty
Delegates of 14 countries attending the World Water Forum tonight signed pledges of support to a growing call to bring into force a global water treaty that has languished in limbo for more than a decade as anxiety grows about the increased potential for conflict in a world increasingly short of water.
Acropolis becomes oldest landmark to join Earth Hour
The Acropolis, a symbol of western civilization, will be the world’s oldest landmark to turn off the lights for Earth Hour and join the global movement against climate change.
