Whales, dolphins and porpoises are under fresh threat in the EU

Fishing nets and gear pose a significant threat to dolphins, porpoises and whales. Accidental entanglement in fishing gear often proves fatal to cetaceans. Those animals unable to free themselves will endure horrific deaths, suffering serious injuries while struggling to escape and eventually suffocating underwater.

... Yet, despite legally binding requirements to monitor and reduce cetacean bycatch, high numbers of dolphins, porpoises and whales continue to die unnecessarily in our waters. There has been a failure to sufficiently monitor cetacean bycatch in most fisheries, which – in turn – has also hampered attempts to take effective mitigation measures to eliminate the problem.

Recognising the weaknesses in the current cetacean bycatch legislation, last year the European Commission adopted a proposal to repeal it and incorporate its provisions into a new regulation on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures as part of a wider suite of measures to protect marine ecosystems.

This proposed legislation provides an opportunity to improve monitoring and mitigation requirements against cetacean bycatch, but sadly lacks the detailed technical measures that are necessary. It is now up to both the Council and Parliament to try to strengthen the legislation to provide European cetaceans with the increased protection that they desperately need.

Read in full at www.euractiv.com/section/all/opinion/cetaceans-are-under-fresh-threat-in-the-eu/

#whales #dolphins #porpoises #fishing #bycatch #EU European Commission European Parliament

Image: Archive shot of a gray whale caught in a net (c) BobTalbot, via Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program - used for illustrative purposes only ... See MoreSee Less

10 hours ago  ·  

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Congratulations to EIA Forests Campaign legend Faith Doherty on braving freezing temperatures to complete London's Serpentine Swim on Sunday!

The long months and chill mornings of training paid off as she swam the mile to raise more than £1,120 in sponsorship for EIA.

Afterwards, Faith said: "Thank-you everyone who supported EIA and myself for this challenge - it was an amazing time with so many people who just love to swim. All your donations, and personal messages got me across the finish line, they really did!"

You still have time to make Faith's plunge pay off even more, via her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/faithserpentineswim ... See MoreSee Less

14 hours ago  ·  

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Malaysia: Pangolins facing extinction due to trafficking

Pangolins will become extinct if nothing is done to halt their killing.

Wildlife researcher Dr Benoit Goossens said an estimated 10,000 pangolins were slaughtered for the five tonnes of scales seized by the Customs Department at the Sepanggar port here last month.

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* Updated map shows no let-up in illegal pangolin trade - ht.ly/BHTN309vKWK

* 'Armoured against predators – except wildlife criminals' - ht.ly/HATv3091sgx
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Earlier, Customs officials seized another eight tonnes of pangolin scales at the Sepanggar port as well.

The scales had originated from Africa and were said to be bound for China when they were intercepted here.

Dr Goossens, the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director, said the pangolin scale seizures is a disaster for the animal’s population.

“The pangolins are headed for extinction if nothing is done,” he said.

Full story at www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/09/19/pangolins-facing-extinction-due-to-trafficking/

#Malaysia #China #HongKong #Africa #pangolins #extinction #illegalwildlifetrade

Image: Left, five tonnes of pangolins before being burnt after a huge seizure in Indonesia en route to Hong Kong or China via Vietnam, April 2015 (c) Paul Hilton for Wildlife Conservation Society; right, Asian pangolin ... See MoreSee Less

16 hours ago  ·  

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