Posted on 04 October
2013 | Norway, October 2013: The new government
of Norway has committed to protecting valuable
areas of the ocean from being impacted by
petroleum activities, putting the value
of nature in front of the need for oil.
“This is not just a
victory for all of us who have spent countless
hours and years fighting for it. It is first
and foremost a great victory for nature,
including cod, seabirds, the world’s largest
coldwater coral reef, and for renewable
jobs and the transition to a 100% renewable
society,” said Nina Jensen, CEO of WWF-Norway.
During 2013 WWF-Norway
ran a campaign to keep the coasts of Lofoten,
Vesterålen and Senja free from oil
and gas exploration. Oil and gas activity
in this area would threaten the world’s
largest cod stock, the world’s largest cold
water coral reef and mainland Europe’s biggest
seabird colony.
Uncertainty grew during
the Norwegian election campaign on whether
a new government would open up areas of
Lofoten, temporary protected since 2001,
for oil drilling as a reaction to pressure
from the industry.
But minority parties
fought hard to ensure a permanent ban was
in place to prevent any oil drilling and
ensure these areas remain oil-free.
“This decision has bigger
implications than just nature conservation.
As Norway is one of the world’s largest
oil and gas developers, with an economy
largely dependent on the oil sector, suggesting
it should keep some oil in the ground has
been considered radical by some. “ said
Ms Jensen.
In the past year the
debate on carbon risk highlighted the need
for an urgent shift from traditional energy
sources like oil to renewable sources.
With this decision the
new government has opened up a space for
public debate and they have opened political
space for WWF and a united NGO community
to keep influencing and achieving big wins!
+ More
Fish stock recovery
given a fighting chance by European parliament
Posted on 23 October
2013 | Strasbourg, France: Earlier today
the European parliament plenary voted on
the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
and decided against the reintroduction of
subsidies for the building of new boats.
Parliamentarians also included a package
on jobs for young fishermen and training
for sustainable fishing practices that is
essential for fishing communities.
The vote also resulted
in a doubling of investment in data collection,
control and regulation enforcement. This
means that fisheries authorities have a
real chance of winning the fight against
illegal fishing. More funding for data collection
will give experts a complete picture of
fish stocks and allow them to advise which
stocks need more time to recover and which
can be safely exploited.
WWF applauds this decision
as it will give decimated fish stocks a
real chance of recovery. We are however
concerned with the continuation of funds
for engine replacement which will give small
vessels, of under 12 metre, the capacity
to stay out at sea longer and increase their
operational range.
Quote from Tony Long,
Director, WWF European Policy Office:
“Today’s decision gives
European fish stocks a real fighting chance.
Funding for fleet renewal ended in 2002
and a reintroduction of these subsidies
would have dangerously increased the capacity
of the fleet, given boats a longer range
and resulted in the destruction of the few
remaining healthy fish stocks.”
“Today we have dodged
a bullet as the proposal on the table would
have made fish stock recovery measures agreed
in the summer pointless.”
“This is good news for
conservation of fish stocks and fishing
communities who can look to a more secure
future. Importantly, MEPs also decided to
invest in data collection, control and enforcement
of fisheries, by increasing the budget available.
This will give authorities the ability to
really fight against illegal fishing in
European waters which accounts for up to
40 per cent of landings* and allows us to
gain an accurate insight into the recovery
rate of the most vulnerable stocks.”
