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General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean

Framework

The GFCM operates within the broader international governance framework established by the United Nations and its Food and Agriculture Organization. As a regional fisheries management organization established under FAO, the GFCM contributes to the application of global instruments and priorities that guide the sustainable use of marine resources, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and FAO’s Blue Transformation vision. These provide the overarching policy context for regional cooperation on fisheries and aquaculture.

At the regional level, this global vision has been translated into high-level political commitments through the MedFish4Ever Declaration (2017) for the Mediterranean and the Sofia Declaration (2018) for the Black Sea. Endorsed by ministers and high-level representatives – building on a process initiated in 2003 with the Venice Declaration – these declarations established a common political ambition to improve fisheries governance, strengthen scientific knowledge, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and enhance the resilience of coastal communities.

The ministerial declarations’ objectives were subsequently operationalized through the GFCM mid-term strategy for sustainable fisheries (2017–2020), the Strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture, and ultimately consolidated into the GFCM 2030 Strategy adopted in 2021, which provides a shared roadmap for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture across the region.

To deliver this vision and strategy, the GFCM relies on a range of implementation tools that translate political commitments and shared priorities into concrete action. These include binding recommendations and non-binding resolutions adopted by the Commission, multiannual management plans and other measures, fisheries restricted areas, data collection systems, capacity-development programmes, and dedicated regional and subregional initiatives. Regional Plans of Action (RPOAs) play a particularly important role by coordinating efforts on key priorities for the region: they translate strategic goals into practical, results-oriented actions that are consistent across countries and supported by science-based advice.

RPOA-IUU

Preventing, deterring and eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to ensure a level playing field and protect marine resources.  

RPOA-SSF

Advancing the environmental, economic and social sustainability of small-scale fisheries and empowering coastal communities. 

RPOA-VUL

Monitoring and mitigating interactions between fisheries and vulnerable species to reduce bycatch and depredation, and safeguard biodiversity. 

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The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025

The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of the status and trends of fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.