FishSec - The Fisheries Secretariat

11/12/2025

https://www.fishsec.org/2025/12/10/eus-annual-eel-fishing-closures-full-of-exemptions-roll-over-proposed/

The Commission is proposing a roll-over of this year’s provisions for the annual eel fishing closures, which will be adopted at the Fisheries Council later this week. For a critically endangered population with a zero catch advice since 2021 for all life stages, including catches for aquaculture a...

11/12/2025

Only a fraction of the European eel population remains, but eels still face blocked migration routes, pollution and continued fishing across the continent. They urgently need stronger protection in order to secure recovery. Targeted fishing closures to protect migration is the bare minimum. Without real action now, recovery of this critically endangered species will remain out of reach.
Watch our short clip here:

Only a fraction of the European eel population remains, but eels still face blocked migration routes, pollution and continued fishing across the continent. T...

11/12/2025

Watch our short clip here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MDnaylCljpw

05/12/2025

CITES Summit ending today rejected a proposal to list all Anguillid eel species under Appendix II to protect them from illegal and unsustainable trade. The proposal put forward by the EU and Panama was rejected by a large majority including key countries involved in trade, aquaculture and consumption.

Read more here:
https://www.fishsec.org/2025/12/05/proposal-to-list-all-anguillid-eels-under-appendix-ii-of-cites-rejected/

04/12/2025

Forage fish may be small, but their impact on the Baltic Sea is big. Sprat and herring are key players for a healthy marine food web, and they need our help. By managing these species sustainably, we can restore declining stocks and protect the entire Baltic Sea ecosystem.

Find out more about our forage fish project and read our report at: www.fishsec.org/small-fish-big-impact

The Small fish big impact-project is funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation as part of the Small Fish – Big Impact project grant.
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Forage fish may be small, but their impact on the Baltic Sea is big. Sprat and herring are key players for a healthy marine food web, and they need our help....

05/11/2025

Widespread exploitation of the critically endangered European eel population continues against scientific advice, despite few signs of recovery. Yesterday, the International Exploration of the Sea, ICES, published its scientific advice on fishing opportunities and conservation for European eel for 2026. As in previous years, ICES advises zero catch for all life stages, all uses and in all habitats. The conservation advice is to reduce other human-related mortalities to zero and restore habitats.

Read more in our PR here: https://www.fishsec.org/2025/11/04/press-release-no-catches-of-european-eel-in-2026-can-be-in-line-with-scientific-advice/

31/10/2025

Eel news from France: thanks to the work of the French Association for the Study and Protection of Fish, the French Ministry for Ecological Transition has approved a moratorium on recreational fisheries.

28/10/2025

Today, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council decided on fishing opportunities for 2026. Read more in our joint PR: https://www.fishsec.org/2025/10/28/fisheries-ministers-risk-breaking-eu-law-jeopardising-baltic-sea-recovery/

24/10/2025

🌊🐟 Last week during in Brussels, we were delighted to co-organise a forage fish event with the Blue Marine Foundation and the Irish Wildlife Trust 🌊🐟

FishSec presented the report “Small Fish with a Big Impact” about forage fish in the Baltic Sea. The event also addressed the EU–UK sandeel challenge, sprat fishing in Irish waters, and the need for ecosystem-based management.

A big thank you to MEP Isabella Lövin for hosting, and to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions!

🎥 More information and recordings of the presentations can be found here: https://www.fishsec.org/2025/10/24/small-fish-big-impact-time-for-ecosystem-based-management-key-takeaways-from-last-weeks-brussels-event/

07/10/2025

Tomorrow is the final day to register for the event "Small Fish, Big Impact: Time for Ecosystem-Based Management", hosted by MEP Isabella Lövin and co-organised by FishSec, Blue Marine Foundation, and Irish Wildlife Trust on 16 October during: 🌊

The event will explore how we can better manage Europe’s forage fish to ensure both ecosystem health and long-term fisheries sustainability. FishSec will present our new report on Baltic Sea forage fish from the project Small Fish Big Impact, funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation

🐟 Register here: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/small-fish-big-impact-time-for-ecosystem-based-management/
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