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Fostering the Sustainability of Marine Fisheries in Central and Western Mediterranean Subregions through an Ecosystem Approach - GCP/INT/362/EC (Baby 01)

©FAO/ Abdelhak Senna

Project's full title Fostering the Sustainability of Marine Fisheries in Central and Western Mediterranean Subregions through an Ecosystem Approach - GCP/INT/362/EC (Baby 01)
Countries Algeria Morocco Tunisia
Start date 01/01/2019
End date 30/09/2020
Status Closed
Donor European Union
Recipient / Target Areas Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia
Budget USD 554 051
Project Code GCP/INT/362/EC
Objective / Goal The project contributed to enhancing regionally balanced cooperation and coordination, by supporting the participation of the target countries in regional scientific working groups, particularly those related with shared stocks, and in working groups and statutory activities of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). Scientific knowledge on fishery resources and ecosystems was enhanced, and national expertise was strengthened through the provision of training opportunities on data collection and analysis and stock assessment methods; the development and dissemination of technical documents; and the contribution of national data, knowledge and ideas of national experts in the international sphere of the GFCM. A fisheries vulnerability assessment study was completed for the subregion , indicating priority risk factors and potential adaptation measures to climate change. Another important project achievement involved facilitating the engagement of fishers and other stakeholders in the management of small scale fisheries, through the adoption of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF).
Partners Fisheries administrations and research institutes from the participating countries (Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia); General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) members.
Beneficiaries Fishery stakeholders (including fishers, fisheries industries, research institutes , Non governmental Organizations [NGOs] and national fisheries authorities) in the countries bordering the Mediterranean basin, but more specifically in the Central and Western part, including Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia).
Activities
  • Pilot case studies on EAF developed in Algeria and Tunisia; and detailed work plan prepared for implementation of pilot study study in Morocco.
  • Continuation of pilot project in eastern part of Algeria supported, to complete two years of biological sampling and socio socio-economic surveys, covering all the identified fleet segments of two priority species, hake and sardine.
  • Technical and financial assistance provided to Morocco to carry out biological sampling of blackspot seabream, to contribute to assessment of state of the stock and provide scientific advice.
  • Subregional research activities related with shared stocks continued, comprising dolphinfish and blackspot seabream.
  • Seven working groups and technical workshops held on stock assessment for priority demersal and small pelagic species.
  • Six training activities organized, including the Third edition of Summer School in Quantitative Fisheries Stock Assessment, attended by 34 participants from 11 countries.
  • Research programme launched to identify sardine, hake and blackspot seabream stocks and their spatial distribution in the Alboran Sea.
  • Twelfth meeting of CopeMed II Coordination Committee held held in November 2019, attended by representatives of Spanish General Secretariat of Fisheries and European Commission DirectorateDirectorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), participating countries, CopeMed II project staff, and fishery officers of AdriaMedAdriaMedand MedSudMed projects.
  • 14 technical reports produced and published published.
Impact The project interventions contributed to enhancing the sustainable management of marine fisheries in the central and western Mediterranean subregions . It is expected that this will contribute to enabling marine fisheries to provide support to national economies, and to protect the livelihoods of those involved in the fisheries sector.
Contact Marcelo Vasconcellos (Lead Technical Officer) - [email protected]
SDG(S)
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