Updated analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
Since early March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted business as usual around the world with severe consequences affecting most industries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, not least of which, the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Two months after the preliminary analysis carried out by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, which covered the critical early phase of the crisis, from March to April 2020, the GFCM is publishing:
This updated analysis seeks to document the evolving situation of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, covering the period from mid-May 2020 to mid-June 2020.
Indeed, four months since the first countries in the region began implementing emergency measures, the situation has evolved. The initial dramatic impacts experienced are attenuating and there are signs of recovery in some parts of the region as countries re-emerge from quarantine, restaurants and export markets reopen, and the measures implemented begin to take effect.
However, demand remains volatile, affecting prices and production, and uncertainty persists, with the longer-term impacts of an economic downturn and a weak tourism sector expected to continue having an impact on fisheries and aquaculture.
In line with the commitments made by the international community through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, numerous voices around the world have called on governments and stakeholders to build back better, decoupling COVID-19 recovery initiatives from overfishing and harmful subsidies and instead investing in the long-term sustainability and resilience of the sector.
To further these discussions, the GFCM has been holding the GFCM Online Forum on Building fisheries and aquaculture resilience post COVID-19. The conclusions of these webinars, which focus in particular on institutional aspects, aquaculture and SSF, will support dialogue among GFCM members on common priorities and ultimately shape the post-2020 strategic vision for the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.
