Common Fisheries Policy archive
Pressure mounts on EU council to be more transparent
In a win for democracy and transparency, the EU Ombudsman has criticised the Council of the European Union following our legal complaint over transparency.
Two biggest recipients of EU fisheries fund misused EU tax payer money, report finds
In a recent report, we found that France and Spain have so far failed to use the EU Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in conservation efforts to end overfishing and restore the marine environment.
EU ministers’ decision to continue overfishing could face legal challenge
Our lawyers have warned that European fisheries ministers’ decision to set unsustainable fishing limits for 2020 breaches EU law and could result in legal action.
Key EU countries are to blame for unsustainable fishing limits – new report
Key EU countries have repeatedly pushed for unsustainable fishing limits in the North East Atlantic while other countries have failed to stop them, our new report reveals.
EU watchdog piles pressure on the Council over fishing quota transparency following our complaint
The EU Ombudsman has demanded the Council of the European Union release more information on fishing quota negotiations between governments.
Spain should continue to tackle illegal fishing – other EU member states must follow.
ClientEarth legal experts have produced a briefing for European policy makers outlining the importance of imposing significant deterrent sanctions and penalties against citizens and organisations that have taken part in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
Lawyers allege illegal fishing activities in North Sea nature reserve
ClientEarth has lodged an official complaint with the European Commission over what we say is illegal management of protected North Sea nature reserves, which have been left decimated by damaging fishing practices.
Our complaint triggers EU Ombudsman fishing quotas investigation
The European Ombudsman has officially announced the start of an inquiry following our complaint against the EU Council’s lack of transparency over fishing quotas.
We challenge EU’s lack of transparency around fishing quotas
We are challenging the lack of transparency and public scrutiny around European decisions that set unsustainable fishing quotas behind closed doors.
European fisheries vote undermines sustainable fishing targets
Environmental lawyers warn that today’s European Parliament vote approving a new fisheries plan for waters off western Europe will jeopardise restoring fish stocks to sustainable levels.
Commission sends formal warning to Denmark for failing to properly control fisheries
Environmental organisations ClientEarth and Our Fish have welcomed a decision by the European Commission to follow-up on infringement proceedings against Denmark for failing to properly control fishing practices.
EU fishing limits jeopardise 2020 sustainable fishing deadline
Overfishing remains a key concern for Europe’s seas, after EU fishing ministers again set fishing quotas that disregard scientific advice and the law.
No time for further delays in meeting 2020 sustainability deadline
In less than a week, fisheries ministers from across the European Union will head to Brussels to set next year’s catch limits for fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic and North Sea.
Sustainable fishing at risk after catastrophic European Union vote
The health of Europe’s fisheries in the north-east Atlantic is at stake after a European Parliament committee decided today to postpone the recovery of fish stocks in that area.
Brexit documents highlight the holes for environment in no-deal scenario
Legal experts from environmental law charity ClientEarth warn that documents released yesterday detailing the government’s contingencies for a no-deal Brexit scenario reveal departments worryingly underprepared to maintain promised environmental protections.
“Shocking” lack of effort from EU Member States to protect marine environment revealed
ClientEarth lawyers have applauded a new report that highlights the lack of effort from several EU Member States in protecting the marine environment from pollution, biodiversity loss and unsustainable fishing.
EU fisheries fund should only support sustainable measures
Speaking to the European Parliament, ClientEarth lawyer Flaminia Tacconi said that EMFF should only support measures that contribute to economically self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable fisheries.
European Parliament rejects rubberstamping flawed fisheries management in North Sea protected areas
ClientEarth has applauded a European Parliament decision to throw out fishing measures that risked vulnerable marine life and ecosystems in protected areas of the North Sea.
EU fund proposal would artificially keep unsustainable fisheries afloat
ClientEarth lawyers have criticised the newly released European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) proposal for continuing heavy subsidies for both environmentally and economically unsustainable fishing.
Enforcement must be part of new EU proposal to target illegal fishing
ClientEarth lawyers are calling for greater enforcement of sanctions against illegal fishing, following the release of the European Commission’s new fisheries control proposal.
North Sea agreement makes a mockery of EU fisheries law
EU fisheries will suffer a huge blow as the European Parliament voted today to approve the proposed North Sea multi-annual plan.
Transparency is essential to assess if fisheries control laws are effectively implemented across the EU
ClientEarth has filed two complaints against the European Commission to the European Ombudsman, asking for information on the implementation of the EU Fisheries Control Regulation.
Huge blow for EU seas as MEPs back disastrous technical measures
New fishing rules debated today in the European Parliament would be disastrous for fishing in the EU, because their lack of targets undermine efforts to make fisheries sustainable.
2018 fishing quotas set too high for herring and whiting as ministers continue to ignore science
Overfishing remains a serious threat to European seas and to industry, as EU ministers once again set many quotas with little regard for science or the law.