EU and neighbourhood countries agree 1st shared EU-Albania fisheries restricted area and other measures to protect Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and biodiversity

During the 47^th annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), which took place on 4-8 November in Rome, the EU and neighbourhood countries agreed on important measures in favour of sustainability of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. 

The EU and neighbourhood countries agreed on measures to continue strengthening sustainability strategies at sea basin level, including through subregional cooperation. 

They also agreed to consolidating the overall management framework for the Adriatic and Black Seas on the principles of the common fisheries policy (CFP), an important delivery of the GFCM subregional approach that is supported by the EU as main financial donor.

Measures to increase sustainability and protect biodiversity at sea basin level

The EU and neighbouring countries agreed to continue developing important multiannual management plans (MAPs) in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea to advance specific sea basin management strategies for the shared stocks.

The newly adopted conservation and control measures will help to ensure a level playing field between all operators and aim at securing a sustainable future for the fleets through improved status of the fish stocks.

The measures include:

• The creation of a first fisheries restricted area (FRA) shared between EU and non-EU countries. The new FRA in the Otranto channel of the South Adriatic is a result of close scientific cooperation between Italy and Albania. It will protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, particularly bamboo coral (Isidella elongata) and essential fish habitats of demersal species The adoption of this new FRA, in addition to the existing Jabuka Pomo FRA, establishes the Adriatic as the subregion with the highest coverage of sea bed protection in the Mediterranean.
•  Subregional cooperation: under the EU’s leadership, the GFCM adopted a set of advanced measures for the Adriatic Sea, setting a strong precedent for other areas in terms of development of holistic approach for fisheries management, based on a new harvest strategy for the long term sustainability of the stocks and long term profitability of the fleets. 
• The continued implementation of the demersal species MAP and the addition of two closure areas for Norway lobster stocks, supported by the Jabuka-Pomo Pit FRA, one of the best examples of conservation paying off. In addition, the GFCM adopted the elements for the long-term MAP for small pelagic species, essential for the sustainable management of these stocks with high economic value.
• Moving ahead the sustainability agenda in the Black Sea: the GFCM adopted important management measures for the main commercial species in the Black Sea, as well as conservation measures for sensitive species. This includes an upward revision of the TAC and quotas under the turbot MAP and measures for the future management plans for Rapa whelk and sprat, species with high commercial value in the Black Sea. 
• Enhancing scientific cooperation in the Black Sea: the GFCM agreed to work together on gathering scientific data for future management and conservation measures for sensitive species such as picked dogfish and sturgeon and adopting a total regional fishing ban for sturgeon in marine waters.

Following the EU's lead, the GFCM consolidated conservation measures for European eel and red coral, based on successful EU-financed GFCM Research Programmes. 

Members also agreed to continue reinforcing solidarity between the Mediterranean countries, fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and developing a solid culture of compliance.

The meeting also launched the reflection process on the post-2026 MedFish4Ever Ministerial Declaration.

Next Steps 

The Council of the European Union will discuss and establish the GFCM's fishing opportunities-related measures for the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in a meeting that will take place 9-10 December 2024.

Background

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organisation established under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development. Its membership comprises the EU, 19 Mediterranean states and three Black Sea states.

With the political commitment and close cooperation of all parties and stakeholders, and with the EU taking a lead role, the organisation is actively working to strengthen the new fisheries governance established with the MedFish4Ever and Sofia Ministerial Declarations, to reverse overfishing, ensure the protection of marine ecosystems and the resilience and profitability of the fishing and aquaculture sector. All decisions and achievements are based on the renewed commitments of the MedFish4Ever Ministerial Declaration.

Quote

Executive Vice-President in charge of the European Green Deal, Maroš Šefčovič, said: 

“I welcome the progress we are making with our regional partners around the Mediterranean on improving on the sustainable management of our shared stocks. This is part of the EU’s strategic approach to our fisheries external action.  By promoting a zero-tolerance approach to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the management principles of the common fisheries policy, we are ensuring a level playing field for all operators in the region. This consolidates the EU’s vision of healthy seas and thriving coastal communities in the EU and beyond.“

For More Information 

General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - 2030 Strategy

General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - Management plans