News on marine environment issues
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Shipwreck an ecological disaster for southern Madagascar
Faux Cap, Madagascar – Toxic waste from a ship which went down off the coast in southern Madagascar in August has had severe impacts on the health of local people and on the rich coastal and marine environment, according to a study supported by WWF.
Atlantic bluefin tuna trade ban supported by fishery’s scientists
Atlantic bluefin tuna meets the criteria for a ban on international trade, according to global scientists of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This official assessment of bluefin’s extreme stock decline has been welcomed by major environment groups WWF and Greenpeace.
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.
Treaty parties learn of 40 proposed wildlife trade rule changes
Proposals for tighter trade controls for species such as the Atlantic Blue Fin tuna, sharks and corals have been submitted for the next meeting of parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). The meeting to consider the proposed changes to trade rules is scheduled to be held in Quatar in March.
Southern Bluefin quota cuts could be “too little, too late”
A 20 percent cut in the Southern Bluefin Tuna take could still be too little, too late for the species which is on the brink of collapse, WWF and the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC warned today.
Coral Triangle summit to focus on business opportunities, environment protection
Business and policy leaders will get together in Manila next year to debate how to protect the Coral Triangle, the world’s most diverse marine environment.
Expedition observes hundreds of marine creatures in oil slick
The area affected by the Montara oil spill off the Kimberley coast contains a huge amount of marine life, including some of the most iconic and threatened species in the ocean, according to a marine wildlife survey conducted by WWF.
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.
No public money for fishermen breaking the rules
Today, 20 October 2009, the EU Fisheries Council reached political agreement on new rules to stop illegal fishing in Europe’s waters. WWF firmly supports the Control Regulation which creates a common system of rules and sanctions to be applied at national level in Europe. The new measures will ban EU public funds going to governments and fishermen who continue to break the law.
Endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna formally recommended for international trade ban
WWF welcomes the proposal to ban international trade in endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna submitted by Monaco, which recommends a listing of the species on Appendix I of CITES.