GFCM agrees new regional fisheries measures
Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries ministers adopt new measures strengthening sustainable fishing, aquaculture and regional cooperation
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has adopted 11 binding recommendations and two resolutions to strengthen sustainable fisheries and aquaculture across the Mediterranean and Black Sea, following its review of the latest scientific advice.
The decisions include expanded long-term management plans for several commercially important species, new fishing opportunities and measures to improve compliance, monitoring and environmental protection.
GFCM chair Eyüp Mümtaz Tiraşin said: “The future of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea depends on countries working together. The decisions regarding fisheries and aquaculture adopted this week demonstrate that regional cooperation can deliver concrete results.”
Among the key measures is the transition of existing multiannual management plans into long-term adaptive frameworks. These cover common dolphinfish across the Mediterranean, deep-water red shrimp in the Strait of Sicily, Ionian and Levant seas, and European hake and deep-water rose shrimp in the Strait of Sicily.
A new seven-year management plan was also endorsed for five demersal species in the Adriatic Sea, building on improvements achieved under the previous framework. Biomass has increased across all five stocks, with sustainable exploitation levels reached for four.
For common dolphinfish, scientific assessments confirming healthy biomass and sustainable fishing pressure have enabled increased fishing opportunities for 2027. Algeria and Egypt will receive catch limits for the first time.
The Commission also reviewed its compliance assessment system, introducing greater transparency around catch limits, reporting and monitoring obligations. Further cooperation will include improved vessel monitoring, joint inspections and enhanced information exchange.
Aquaculture was another priority, with members adopting guidelines on marine fish welfare and abandoned, lost or discarded farming equipment, supporting improved husbandry and waste management.
The GFCM will mark its 75th anniversary and 50th annual session in 2027, when Turkey will host the meeting. Members will also work towards a new ministerial declaration setting out the region’s priorities for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture over the next decade.
