Vanya Vulperhorst
@vanyalovesfish.bsky.social
Campaign Director Illegal Fishing and Transparency @OceanaEurope
Oceana is in Cyprus to call on @cy2026eu.bsky.social and @ec.europa.eu to reserve coastal waters for low impact fishers. The upcoming Ocean Act is the perfect vehicle to put this in place as concrete measures to make islands and coastal communities resilient, prosperous and fair
June 26, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Oceana is in Cyprus to call on @cy2026eu.bsky.social and @ec.europa.eu to reserve coastal waters for low impact fishers. The upcoming Ocean Act is the perfect vehicle to put this in place as concrete measures to make islands and coastal communities resilient, prosperous and fair
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Legal loopholes can enable illegal fishing & transnational crime.
At @pech.europarl.europa.eu, our Head of Campaigns @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social asked authorities to collect & publish beneficial ownership data & restrict EU citizens from owning vessels flying flags of convenience.
At @pech.europarl.europa.eu, our Head of Campaigns @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social asked authorities to collect & publish beneficial ownership data & restrict EU citizens from owning vessels flying flags of convenience.
June 3, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Legal loopholes can enable illegal fishing & transnational crime.
At @pech.europarl.europa.eu, our Head of Campaigns @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social asked authorities to collect & publish beneficial ownership data & restrict EU citizens from owning vessels flying flags of convenience.
At @pech.europarl.europa.eu, our Head of Campaigns @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social asked authorities to collect & publish beneficial ownership data & restrict EU citizens from owning vessels flying flags of convenience.
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Fishing vessels using flags of convenience register in countries with lax rules & little oversight, allowing owners to hide their identity & making it easier to evade scrutiny.
It’s time for the EU to make vessel ownership public. Transparency is vital to fight #IllegalFishing.
It’s time for the EU to make vessel ownership public. Transparency is vital to fight #IllegalFishing.
March 2, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Fishing vessels using flags of convenience register in countries with lax rules & little oversight, allowing owners to hide their identity & making it easier to evade scrutiny.
It’s time for the EU to make vessel ownership public. Transparency is vital to fight #IllegalFishing.
It’s time for the EU to make vessel ownership public. Transparency is vital to fight #IllegalFishing.
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
🆕 We surveyed 47 Cypriot fishers, and their message is clear: fish stocks are declining, and EU rules enforcement remains weak.
📊96% say national action is not enough.
As the EU evaluates the #CommonFisheriesPolicy in 2026, their voices must be heard.
➡️ europe.oceana.org/reports/eu-c...
📊96% say national action is not enough.
As the EU evaluates the #CommonFisheriesPolicy in 2026, their voices must be heard.
➡️ europe.oceana.org/reports/eu-c...
January 29, 2026 at 9:21 AM
🆕 We surveyed 47 Cypriot fishers, and their message is clear: fish stocks are declining, and EU rules enforcement remains weak.
📊96% say national action is not enough.
As the EU evaluates the #CommonFisheriesPolicy in 2026, their voices must be heard.
➡️ europe.oceana.org/reports/eu-c...
📊96% say national action is not enough.
As the EU evaluates the #CommonFisheriesPolicy in 2026, their voices must be heard.
➡️ europe.oceana.org/reports/eu-c...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
10 years after we first exposed seafood mislabelling in Brussels, the situation isn't better.
Our DNA analysis shows that still today, not a single restaurant analysed in the city could name the squid species they serve.🦑
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
Our DNA analysis shows that still today, not a single restaurant analysed in the city could name the squid species they serve.🦑
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
January 26, 2026 at 1:45 PM
10 years after we first exposed seafood mislabelling in Brussels, the situation isn't better.
Our DNA analysis shows that still today, not a single restaurant analysed in the city could name the squid species they serve.🦑
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
Our DNA analysis shows that still today, not a single restaurant analysed in the city could name the squid species they serve.🦑
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
🇨🇾 Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment, Maria Panayiotou, attends PECH Committee.
During @cy2026eu.bsky.social, Cyprus has the opportunity to show leadership by ensuring transparency in EU fishing vessel ownership abroad, essential step to prevent illegal fishing.
During @cy2026eu.bsky.social, Cyprus has the opportunity to show leadership by ensuring transparency in EU fishing vessel ownership abroad, essential step to prevent illegal fishing.
January 27, 2026 at 8:56 AM
🇨🇾 Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment, Maria Panayiotou, attends PECH Committee.
During @cy2026eu.bsky.social, Cyprus has the opportunity to show leadership by ensuring transparency in EU fishing vessel ownership abroad, essential step to prevent illegal fishing.
During @cy2026eu.bsky.social, Cyprus has the opportunity to show leadership by ensuring transparency in EU fishing vessel ownership abroad, essential step to prevent illegal fishing.
With the Ocean Act we have the opportunity to ensure that we include those that care most for the ocean and use it responsibly get a seat at the table and sufficient fishing rights. This mean we need to include the voices of women @oceanaeurope.bsky.social @eppgroup.bsky.social #Women From the Sea
January 14, 2026 at 6:14 PM
With the Ocean Act we have the opportunity to ensure that we include those that care most for the ocean and use it responsibly get a seat at the table and sufficient fishing rights. This mean we need to include the voices of women @oceanaeurope.bsky.social @eppgroup.bsky.social #Women From the Sea
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
🌊Join us for a special screening of Women from the Sea, hosted by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral with the support of Oceana, followed by a debate with @verampcoelho.bsky.social.
📅 14 January 2026
🕒 17:30 - 19:30
📍 European Parliament, Brussels
✅ Register here: forms.gle/jdvren3KS6ef...
📅 14 January 2026
🕒 17:30 - 19:30
📍 European Parliament, Brussels
✅ Register here: forms.gle/jdvren3KS6ef...
January 8, 2026 at 1:33 PM
🌊Join us for a special screening of Women from the Sea, hosted by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral with the support of Oceana, followed by a debate with @verampcoelho.bsky.social.
📅 14 January 2026
🕒 17:30 - 19:30
📍 European Parliament, Brussels
✅ Register here: forms.gle/jdvren3KS6ef...
📅 14 January 2026
🕒 17:30 - 19:30
📍 European Parliament, Brussels
✅ Register here: forms.gle/jdvren3KS6ef...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
🦑 Did you know that the squid we eat can come from regions that are notorious for illegal fishing & human rights abuses?
Oceana's recent investigation shows that many squid products sold in the EU lack basic information such as species & origin.
Consumers deserve to know more:
Oceana's recent investigation shows that many squid products sold in the EU lack basic information such as species & origin.
Consumers deserve to know more:
December 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM
🦑 Did you know that the squid we eat can come from regions that are notorious for illegal fishing & human rights abuses?
Oceana's recent investigation shows that many squid products sold in the EU lack basic information such as species & origin.
Consumers deserve to know more:
Oceana's recent investigation shows that many squid products sold in the EU lack basic information such as species & origin.
Consumers deserve to know more:
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
🚨Oceana reports to authorities 50 concerning cases of Spanish fishing vessels for switching off their geolocation systems at sea. This practice is prohibited for European fishing vessels, unless there are safety risks, such as cases of piracy.
Read more: europe.oceana.org/reports/why-...
Read more: europe.oceana.org/reports/why-...
December 4, 2025 at 9:26 AM
🚨Oceana reports to authorities 50 concerning cases of Spanish fishing vessels for switching off their geolocation systems at sea. This practice is prohibited for European fishing vessels, unless there are safety risks, such as cases of piracy.
Read more: europe.oceana.org/reports/why-...
Read more: europe.oceana.org/reports/why-...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Six months after the #OceanPact, where the EU committed to tackle flags of convenience, we call on the
@ec.europa.eu and Commissioner Costas Kadis to act: publish the study on the impact of this practice and ensure that EU Member States monitor foreign ownership of fishing vessels.
@ec.europa.eu and Commissioner Costas Kadis to act: publish the study on the impact of this practice and ensure that EU Member States monitor foreign ownership of fishing vessels.
November 26, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Six months after the #OceanPact, where the EU committed to tackle flags of convenience, we call on the
@ec.europa.eu and Commissioner Costas Kadis to act: publish the study on the impact of this practice and ensure that EU Member States monitor foreign ownership of fishing vessels.
@ec.europa.eu and Commissioner Costas Kadis to act: publish the study on the impact of this practice and ensure that EU Member States monitor foreign ownership of fishing vessels.
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
NEW OCEANA STUDY: 🦑Half of the squid products analysed in Brussels & Milan lack basic consumer information.
🧬DNA tests show that many came from high-risk fisheries linked to illegal fishing & labour abuses.
We need clear labels on all seafood products. europe.oceana.org/reports/the-...
🧬DNA tests show that many came from high-risk fisheries linked to illegal fishing & labour abuses.
We need clear labels on all seafood products. europe.oceana.org/reports/the-...
November 27, 2025 at 9:28 AM
NEW OCEANA STUDY: 🦑Half of the squid products analysed in Brussels & Milan lack basic consumer information.
🧬DNA tests show that many came from high-risk fisheries linked to illegal fishing & labour abuses.
We need clear labels on all seafood products. europe.oceana.org/reports/the-...
🧬DNA tests show that many came from high-risk fisheries linked to illegal fishing & labour abuses.
We need clear labels on all seafood products. europe.oceana.org/reports/the-...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
In the Mediterranean, many fishing operators hide their vessels’ engine power from authorities.
This fraud sparks a vicious cycle: stronger engines → bigger nets → depleted stocks → fishers forced to increase capacity to stay competitive.
Learn more👉 europe.oceana.org/blog/what-is...
This fraud sparks a vicious cycle: stronger engines → bigger nets → depleted stocks → fishers forced to increase capacity to stay competitive.
Learn more👉 europe.oceana.org/blog/what-is...
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
In the Mediterranean, many fishing operators hide their vessels’ engine power from authorities.
This fraud sparks a vicious cycle: stronger engines → bigger nets → depleted stocks → fishers forced to increase capacity to stay competitive.
Learn more👉 europe.oceana.org/blog/what-is...
This fraud sparks a vicious cycle: stronger engines → bigger nets → depleted stocks → fishers forced to increase capacity to stay competitive.
Learn more👉 europe.oceana.org/blog/what-is...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Foreign-owned industrial fleets are illegally fishing in The Gambia, and the catch is ending up on EU markets via a Spanish-owned processing company, reports @damancini.bsky.social for @voxeurop.bsky.social.
Read the full story 🔗 voxeurop.eu/en/illegal-f...
Read the full story 🔗 voxeurop.eu/en/illegal-f...
The Gambia’s stolen catch: How Chinese trawlers feed Europe’s seafood market
In the waters off The Gambia, a ghost fleet of Chinese-owned trawlers continues to plunder the seabed, robbing Africa’s smallest mainland nation of its marine resources. Collisions with local artisana...
voxeurop.eu
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Foreign-owned industrial fleets are illegally fishing in The Gambia, and the catch is ending up on EU markets via a Spanish-owned processing company, reports @damancini.bsky.social for @voxeurop.bsky.social.
Read the full story 🔗 voxeurop.eu/en/illegal-f...
Read the full story 🔗 voxeurop.eu/en/illegal-f...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
At the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean annual meeting this week, we urge Med countries to address the lack of compliance with existing fisheries measures and to adopt binding transparency rules 🐟 europe.oceana.org/press-releas...
#GFCMSession #FightIllegalFishing #MedSeaAlliance
#GFCMSession #FightIllegalFishing #MedSeaAlliance
November 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
At the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean annual meeting this week, we urge Med countries to address the lack of compliance with existing fisheries measures and to adopt binding transparency rules 🐟 europe.oceana.org/press-releas...
#GFCMSession #FightIllegalFishing #MedSeaAlliance
#GFCMSession #FightIllegalFishing #MedSeaAlliance
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
IMO numbers play a key role in controlling vessels at sea and helping authorities to prevent illegal fishing.
We urge the @fao.org General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to make this identification information compulsory for all vessels longer than 15 metres since currently it's not. ⬇️
We urge the @fao.org General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to make this identification information compulsory for all vessels longer than 15 metres since currently it's not. ⬇️
November 4, 2025 at 11:58 AM
IMO numbers play a key role in controlling vessels at sea and helping authorities to prevent illegal fishing.
We urge the @fao.org General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to make this identification information compulsory for all vessels longer than 15 metres since currently it's not. ⬇️
We urge the @fao.org General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to make this identification information compulsory for all vessels longer than 15 metres since currently it's not. ⬇️
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
The EU imports 70% of its seafood and has a significant international fleet — what happens outside EU waters matters for ocean protection.
This is Oceana’s position on the EU External Fisheries Policy:
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
#CommonFisheriesPolicy
This is Oceana’s position on the EU External Fisheries Policy:
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
#CommonFisheriesPolicy
September 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
The EU imports 70% of its seafood and has a significant international fleet — what happens outside EU waters matters for ocean protection.
This is Oceana’s position on the EU External Fisheries Policy:
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
#CommonFisheriesPolicy
This is Oceana’s position on the EU External Fisheries Policy:
➡️ europe.oceana.org/wp-content/u...
#CommonFisheriesPolicy
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Climate change & illegal fishing threaten the ocean & food security. At PECH Committee today, our campaign director @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social stressed that the EU should:
✅Promote sustainable fisheries
✅Trace all seafood, incl. processed
✅Improve consumer information
✅Make fisheries transparent
✅Promote sustainable fisheries
✅Trace all seafood, incl. processed
✅Improve consumer information
✅Make fisheries transparent
September 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Climate change & illegal fishing threaten the ocean & food security. At PECH Committee today, our campaign director @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social stressed that the EU should:
✅Promote sustainable fisheries
✅Trace all seafood, incl. processed
✅Improve consumer information
✅Make fisheries transparent
✅Promote sustainable fisheries
✅Trace all seafood, incl. processed
✅Improve consumer information
✅Make fisheries transparent
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
The Mediterranean is the place to prove #EUOceanPact’s power, says Maria Damanaki. Costas Kadis can help rebuild fish stocks & push GFCM to enforce monitoring & surveillance.
There is no room for #IllegalFishing in the Med.
🔗 bit.ly/4kUQFq4
#EndCorruptionAtSea
There is no room for #IllegalFishing in the Med.
🔗 bit.ly/4kUQFq4
#EndCorruptionAtSea
Op-ed: How Mediterranean overfishing can be reversed
With a new oceans policy unveiled this week, the EU can lead Mediterranean coastal states in a crackdown on illegal fishing.
bit.ly
June 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The Mediterranean is the place to prove #EUOceanPact’s power, says Maria Damanaki. Costas Kadis can help rebuild fish stocks & push GFCM to enforce monitoring & surveillance.
There is no room for #IllegalFishing in the Med.
🔗 bit.ly/4kUQFq4
#EndCorruptionAtSea
There is no room for #IllegalFishing in the Med.
🔗 bit.ly/4kUQFq4
#EndCorruptionAtSea
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
“Some EU-owned vessels use shell companies, change flags & fish in countries with weak oversight. Not controlling these activities undermines the EU’s zero tolerance policy against illegal fishing” states our Illegal Fishing campaign director @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social
. #UNOC3 #UNOC #UNOC2025
. #UNOC3 #UNOC #UNOC2025
June 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
“Some EU-owned vessels use shell companies, change flags & fish in countries with weak oversight. Not controlling these activities undermines the EU’s zero tolerance policy against illegal fishing” states our Illegal Fishing campaign director @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social
. #UNOC3 #UNOC #UNOC2025
. #UNOC3 #UNOC #UNOC2025
Fishers of Seychelles, Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau have a clear message for the EU to improve the position of women - there is a need for better access to resources and infrastructure to sell or process fish and to better include them in the management decisions @cffacape.bsky.social
June 4, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Fishers of Seychelles, Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau have a clear message for the EU to improve the position of women - there is a need for better access to resources and infrastructure to sell or process fish and to better include them in the management decisions @cffacape.bsky.social
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
EU Oceans Pact — time for commission to be enforcer, not just architect
EU Oceans Pact — time for commission to be enforcer, not just architect
There is one clear lesson from our time in office regarding the new EU Oceans Pact — ambition on paper must be matched by accountability in practice, warn two former EU fisheries commissioners. Too often, weak leadership and political hesitation have allowed member states to bypass or delay implementation.
euobserver.com
June 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
EU Oceans Pact — time for commission to be enforcer, not just architect
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Transparency is an essential foundation of effective fisheries management. So why haven’t most IUU Action Alliance members yet shared basic up-to-date vessel data? Ahead of #UNOC3, Oceana calls for real actionnot just words. #OceanGovernance #IUUFishing
🔗 www.iuuwatch.eu/2025/05/new-...
🔗 www.iuuwatch.eu/2025/05/new-...
May 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Transparency is an essential foundation of effective fisheries management. So why haven’t most IUU Action Alliance members yet shared basic up-to-date vessel data? Ahead of #UNOC3, Oceana calls for real actionnot just words. #OceanGovernance #IUUFishing
🔗 www.iuuwatch.eu/2025/05/new-...
🔗 www.iuuwatch.eu/2025/05/new-...
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
Europeans love tuna, but in the Indian Ocean, where European ships haul in tons, some stocks are overfished. Coastal nations are sounding the alarm, pushing for fairer fishing rules. But they’re hitting a wall in Brussels, where economic interests come first, even far beyond its own waters.
The EU preaches sustainable fishing – but is emptying the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean coastal states are increasingly concerned about dwindling stocks of overfished tuna species. Yet these nations say that negotiations to establish fairer catch allocations are being hamper...
www.ftm.eu
February 13, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Europeans love tuna, but in the Indian Ocean, where European ships haul in tons, some stocks are overfished. Coastal nations are sounding the alarm, pushing for fairer fishing rules. But they’re hitting a wall in Brussels, where economic interests come first, even far beyond its own waters.
Reposted by Vanya Vulperhorst
We need transparency on EU owned vessels fishing outside its waters. This includes those catching tuna in the Indian Ocean, in countries that do not control enough their fleet.
“Fighting illegal fishing requires the EU to act against those who benefit from it” says @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social ⬇️
“Fighting illegal fishing requires the EU to act against those who benefit from it” says @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social ⬇️
Europeans love tuna, but in the Indian Ocean, where European ships haul in tons, some stocks are overfished. Coastal nations are sounding the alarm, pushing for fairer fishing rules. But they’re hitting a wall in Brussels, where economic interests come first, even far beyond its own waters.
The EU preaches sustainable fishing – but is emptying the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean coastal states are increasingly concerned about dwindling stocks of overfished tuna species. Yet these nations say that negotiations to establish fairer catch allocations are being hamper...
www.ftm.eu
February 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
We need transparency on EU owned vessels fishing outside its waters. This includes those catching tuna in the Indian Ocean, in countries that do not control enough their fleet.
“Fighting illegal fishing requires the EU to act against those who benefit from it” says @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social ⬇️
“Fighting illegal fishing requires the EU to act against those who benefit from it” says @vanyalovesfish.bsky.social ⬇️