Launch of a research programme on European eel in the Mediterranean
The GFCM is teaming with scientific partners and focal points from nine countries to launch the first research programme on European eel in the Mediterranean Sea towards coordination of stock management and recovery.
The European eel was classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) after multiple factors – including habitat loss, overfishing, oceanic changes and an increase pollutant and pathogen levels – had collectively contributed to the decline of the species.
In line with Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/1 adopted by GFCM countries, the GFCM research programme on European eel will aim to:
- identify and assess management and protection measures for eel stock recovery;
- establish a common framework for the monitoring of European eel;
- collect and update data concerning eel stocks and habitat in the Mediterranean, and
- establish a common framework for eel stock assessment.
“Thanks to strong international coordination, capacity-building and the sharing of best practices, the research programme shall create a common framework for the management of the European eel in the Mediterranean Sea”, says Elisabetta Betulla Morello, GFCM Fishery Resources Officer. “This framework will help reduce the impact of fisheries and aquaculture activities on the species, towards achieving sustainable stock levels of European eel.”
The research programme is starting today with an online kick-off event and will have a duration of 18 months.
Warm thanks to our partners and focal points across the Mediterranean for their contribution:
Scientific Partners
- Agricultural University of Tirana (Albania)
- Centre national de recherche et de développement de la pêche et de l’aquaculture (Algeria)
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Egypt)
- Université de Perpignan (France)
- Hellenic Fisheries Research Institute (Greece)
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata (Italy)
- Universidad de Córdoba (Spain)
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (Tunisia)
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (Turkey)
Administration Focal Points
- Fisheries Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Albania)
- Direction Générale de la Pêche, Ministère de la Pêche et des Productions Halieutiques (Algeria)
- General Authority for Fish Resources Development (Egypt)
- Direction des pêches maritimes et de l'aquaculture, Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation (France)
- Ministry of Rural Development & Food, Directorate General of Fisheries, Directorate of Aquaculture (Greece)
- MIPAAF DG of maritime fisheries and aquaculture (Italy)
- Direccion General de Pesca Sostenible, Secretaría General de Pesca - Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (Spain)
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Water resources (Tunisia)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, DG Fisheries and Aquaculture (Turkey)