Oceana presents proof on the use of illegal driftnets in the Mediterranean

The environmental organisation Oceana presented a report yesterday in Rome on the use of illegal driftnets in the Mediterranean Sea by countries including Italy, Morocco, Turkey and Algeria.

Driftnets have been banned since 2002 by the European Union. The case of the European Union is the most flagrant. As stated in the Oceana report, hundreds of millions of Euros were used to reconvert large fleets from several Member States that hunted down species such as swordfish and albacore.

Over several years of campaigning in the Mediterranean, Oceana has documented and reported how driftnets, despite the bans, continue to be used, not only in Italy, but also in other areas of the Mediterranean such as Morocco and Turkey, and until recently, France….

Source: Oceana