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Fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

An updated analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 7p.

Author GFCM

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-132984-9

Series number 1

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) 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. As highlighted in the preliminary analysis carried out by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), which covered the critical early phase of the crisis, from March to April 2020, Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture initially endured substantial decreases in operations and production and drastic drops in prices for fish products. 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. This updated analysis seeks to document the evolving situation of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region in light of the COVID-19 crisis, covering the period from mid-May 2020 to mid-June 2020. Following the same methodology as that of the preliminary analysis, this updated analysis draws on information shared by GFCM member countries and relevant partners, together with information compiled through a review of relevant media articles and digital posts published during the reference period.

See the full list of policy briefs related to COVID-19.

Statutory body / Meeting title General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

Cite this content as:

​GFCM. 2020. Fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: An updated analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9902en

Language English

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