Mediterranean fisheries face transparency challenges

The Med Sea Alliance has welcomed progress on fisheries compliance following the 49th annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), but warned that delays in extending vessel identification requirements continue to undermine efforts to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The session saw further steps towards implementing the GFCM’s compliance mechanism, with member countries categorised under a new assessment scheme according to their compliance levels and identified breaches of fisheries regulations.

“The progress on compliance is a step in the right direction, but gaps in vessel identification continue to limit fisheries transparency,” said Emily Tewes, IUU project manager at the Med Sea Alliance. “Wider use of IMO numbers would help authorities trace vessels and create a level playing field for fishers who follow the rules.”

The Alliance said assessments must now lead to corrective action and transparent reporting. It also welcomed discussions on vessel monitoring systems, following the 19th Session of the Compliance Committee, and the call for implementation work plans to be prepared for the 2027 GFCM Working Group on Monitoring and Control Measures.

However, it stressed that clear commitments, deadlines and progress reporting are needed to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of fishing restrictions.

A further concern was the postponement until 2027 of an EU proposal to extend IMO number requirements to eligible fishing vessels measuring 15 metres and above operating outside national jurisdiction.

Adopted in 2025, the existing requirement applies to eligible vessels of 20 metres and above operating beyond national waters. Permanent, cost-free IMO identifiers enable authorities to track vessels despite changes to their names, flags or ownership.

The Med Sea Alliance urged Mediterranean countries to address identified non-compliance, fulfil VMS commitments and agree wider IMO coverage at the 2027 session, stressing that stronger enforcement and transparency are essential to protect marine biodiversity and fishing communities.