The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has adopted a series of new sustainability measures for fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea.
GFCM – the regional body in charge of managing both fisheries and aquaculture operations in both the Mediterranean and Black seas – said it has reinforced mechanisms to bolster compliance with its decisions in a move that will enhance sustainability by ensuring appropriate action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. GFCM added that it has agreed on improvements to identifying gaps in monitoring, control, and surveillance in the waters it manages and how to assist countries to address them.
“This approach strengthens its capacity to implement targeted remedies, ranging from technical assistance to enhanced vessel monitoring system requirements and take follow-up actions, thereby fostering a regional culture of compliance and collective ownership of corrective measures,” GFCM said.
GFCM said it agreed to strengthen voluntary exchanges of vessel monitoring system data and introduced new requirements for vessels over 20 meters in length operating in waters outside national jurisdiction.
The commission said it also boosted fisheries management by adopting a harvest control rule for blackspot sea bream. Harvest control rules are the operational component of a harvest strategy or management procedure which establishes pre-determined scientific metrics that then guide future quota and stock decisions.
“It follows the completion of a management strategy evaluation – a collaborative approach underscored by the highest international standards on fisheries governance with extensive participation of all relevant stakeholders,” GFCM said. “The decision marks the culmination of eight years of dedicated scientific and management efforts and is expected to guide the fishery toward achieving sustainability goals.”
The commission said that in the Adriatic Sea, four out of five demersal stocks are experiencing positive trends but also said Norway lobster was different depending on stock unit and recommended reducing fishing effort. It also recommended new recommendations for shrimp in the Central-Eastern Mediterranean, and in the Black Sea, it said scientific advice is now available for six of the eight priority species.
“The successful implementation of the turbot management plan stands out as a key achievement,” it said.
GFCM has been working to bring the sustainability of the Mediterranean and Black seas back within recommended guidance. In recent years, overfishing of species in both areas has begun to fall, and the commission said it is continuing that work.
Outside fisheries, GFCM said it made major progress in advancing sustainable aquaculture, including stronger governance and scientific collaboration under a reformed Scientific Committee on Aquaculture.
GFCM also elected a new bureau for a four-year mandate, electing Eyüp Mümtaz Tiraşin of Türkiye as the new GFCM chairperson. Outgoing chair Roland Kristo said they will continue the progress GFCM has made toward more sustainable fisheries.
“Since 2018, together, we’ve laid the foundations for long-term sustainability in our region, we’ve deepened our scientific base, and we’ve shown that this Commission can be both a technical and political force for good,” Kristo said. “The GFCM is strong, focused, and ready for what’s next. I know the incoming Bureau will continue to lead with vision and determination.”
