North and Baltic Sea Face Grave Risk

Germany's environmental council has released a report on marine life protection warning that the North and Baltic Sea are massively threatened by overfishing, toxins and navigation. "The natural wealth of our domestic seas is diminishing further," the report stated and urged "incisive political initiatives and fundamental corrections" in fishing and agricultural policies. German Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin conceded that although "much has changed in the past 20 years, we can’t afford to let our guard down." Trittin said a broad political strategy on protecting marine life was urgently needed and that European fishing policy had to be further developed according to ecological criteria.