30/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – At their meeting on Monday 29 June, the EU Fisheries Ministers for the most part supported the initiative of European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, who alerted them to the issue of by-catches of dolphins and other cetaceans. More than 11,300 dolphins were killed last winter in the Bay of Biscay. And by-catch is also one of the main pressures on the Baltic harbour porpoise, an endangered species whose population is reduced to around 500 animals. Mr Sinkevičius reminded Member States of their obligation to monitor cetacean by-catch and take the necessary mitigation measures. The European Commission will propose a new action plan for the protection of marine ecosystems and may also consider other actions to remedy the situation, he warned.