The “Fisheries and ecosystem-based management for the Black Sea” project (FishEBM BS) aims to reverse the overexploitation of select commercial marine living resources by enhancing the capacity of Black Sea countries to manage fisheries, including through the application of ecosystem-based management tools.   

The FishEBM BS project is committed to strengthening the productivity of Black Sea fisheries while ensuring their sustainability. The project entails a shift toward a more participatory approach to fisheries and a change in thinking on policy and management by both government agencies and stakeholder groups.  

Georgia (GHN, Kvira) | FishEBM meeting  

Georgia's National Environmental Agency held working meetings with fishing sector representatives in Poti and Batumi to assess the state of the Black Sea fisheries sector, its main challenges, and the need for better data collection and monitoring. There, progress on FishEBM Black Sea were presented. 

Türkiye (Anadolu Agency, Yalova Hayat, Haberci) | Marmara Fisheries Control and deployment of VMS devices 

To mark the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing on 5 June, Türkiye launched its National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (NPOA-IUU). Developed with technical input from the GEF-funded FishEBM Mediterranean and Black Sea projects, the plan builds on the country's international commitments and sets out a roadmap covering monitoring and control, electronic vessel tracking, port state measures, traceability and inter-agency coordination.

Türkiye (SÜR-KOOP) | GFCM information session hosted by SÜR-KOOP in Ankara

On 6 May 2026, the SÜR-KOOP Central Union hosted an information session in Ankara with representatives of the GFCM, introducing regional fishers' union leaders to the work of the GEF-Black Sea team. Discussions focused on conservation efforts for sensitive Black Sea species such as sturgeon, alongside a value chain analysis of rapa whelk covering harvesting, processing, marketing and export. Participants underlined the importance of data-driven decision-making and stakeholder participation, with SÜR-KOOP highlighting the value of incorporating field-level knowledge from fishing cooperatives into international scientific and management efforts. 

Türkiye (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) | National Plan of Action against IUU fishing  

To mark the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing on 5 June, Türkiye launched its National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (NPOA-IUU). Developed with technical input from the GEF-funded FishEBM Mediterranean and Black Sea projects, the plan builds on the country's international commitments and sets out a roadmap covering monitoring and control, vessel monitoring system and port state measures. 

Ukraine (State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs –DARG) | Ukraine strengthens cooperation with the GFCM: new information materials for the conservation of vulnerable species of the Black Sea are available

Within the framework of the implementation of the FishEBM BS, experts have developed a series of information materials in Ukrainian. These resources aim to disseminate knowledge about the conservation of vulnerable species of the Black Sea.

Ukraine (Government Portal)| State Fisheries Agency: Ukraine Strengthens Cooperation with the Black Sea Regional Commission – New Information Materials Available to Help Protect Vulnerable Species in the Black Sea

Within the framework of the implementation of the FishEBM BS, experts have developed a series of information materials in Ukrainian. These resources aim to disseminate knowledge about the conservation of vulnerable species of the Black Sea.

Georgia (National Environmental Agency)| Ecosystem studies are underway in the Georgian waters of the Black Sea

Specialists of the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Biodiversity of the National Environmental Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia carry out studies at 20 pre-selected stations using a European standards tool - Demersal Trial in the coastal waters of the Black Sea of Georgia.

Türkiye (SÜR-KOOP)| FishEBM approach: bridging conservation and coastal livelihoods

The Mediterranean and the Black Sea are regions rich in marine biodiversity, providing vital economic resources for coastal communities and beyond. In recent years, significant progress has been made in reducing overfishing, with the share of stocks subject to overfishing dropping below 60% for the first time, following a declining trend that began a decade ago. However, despite these positive developments, the sector is still under pressure, with fishing intensity remaining at about twice the level considered sustainable. To address this situation, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved two projects in 2022 aimed at tackling overfishing in the region and promoting sustainable fisheries practices.

Ukraine (Institute of Fisheries, Marine Ecology and Oceanography)| Meeting of the Steering Committee of the GCRS and GEF Black Sea Fisheries and Ecosystem Management Project (FishEBM BS)

On February 4-5, 2025, the third meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility project "Fisheries and Ecosystem-Based Management in the Black Sea" (FishEBM BS) was held in Batumi (Georgia). The event was attended by experts from Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia (GEF beneficiary countries), as well as representatives of FAO and SCRC. Ukraine was represented by specialists of the State Scientific Institution "Institute of Fisheries, Marine Ecology and Oceanography".

Türkiye (7 Deniz) | Regional cooperation for sustainable fishing in the Black Sea

Following the signing of the Sofia Ministerial Declaration in 2018, the GFCM helped several Black Sea countries meet the technical requirements set by their resolutions, such as ship monitoring systems (VMS). The collaboration with Türkiye through the FishEBM BS project is focused on increasing VMS competencies to strengthen the monitoring and control of larger vessels, while technologies are being tested in pilot applications to support the update of the Fisheries Monitoring Center. When this activity is fully implemented, it will be beneficial for Turkey and the entire region.

Ukraine (State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs –DARG)| Representatives of the State Fisheries Agency discussed fisheries and ecosystem management in the Black Sea with international experts

Representatives of the Institute of Fisheries, of Sea Ecology and Oceanography of the State Fisheries Agency took part in the third meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility's Fisheries Project and Ecosystem-Based Governance in the Black Sea (FishEBM BS), which took place in Batumi (Georgia).

Ukraine (State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs –DARG)| Representatives of the State Fisheries Agency joined the discussion of fisheries and management of the Black Sea ecosystem

At the beginning of March, representatives of the State Fisheries Agency took part in the second Steering Committee meeting of the GEF-funded project "Fisheries and Ecosystem-Based Management in the Black Sea" (FishEBM BS). The event, organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GRC), with the direct support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), took place in Istanbul (Turkey). During the meeting, the annual report on the results of the implementation of the FishEBM BS project in 2023 was presented. In particular, sectoral and innovative management tools that are used to reduce the overexploitation of aquatic biological resources and increase the productivity of the Black Sea ecosystem are presented.

Ukraine (State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs –DARG)| Fisheries and ecosystem management for the Black Sea

Consultations on the implementation of the Global Environment Facility project “Fisheries and Ecosystem Management for the Black Sea” were held online. The event was attended by representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and the State Agency for Fisheries of Ukraine. During the consultations, participants discussed opportunities for further cooperation between Ukraine and the FAO on fisheries issues and the implementation of ecosystem-based management approaches for the Black Sea, priorities for the development of Ukraine’s fisheries sector, and FAO representatives presented the main components and expected outcomes of the new GEF project “Fisheries and Ecosystem-based Management of the Black Sea.”