GFCM EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
The Executive Secretary is responsible for the implementation of the policies and activities of the GFCM. On behalf of GFCM contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties, he manages the Secretariat, administers the GFCM autonomous budget, ensures coordination with relevant FAO Departments, promotes the role of the GFCM in relevant fora, secures extra-budgetary funds, and maintains formal relationships with countries and partners.
Miguel BERNAL
GFCM Executive Secretary
FISHERIES
The Fisheries team is responsible for coordinating actions to improve fisheries management and the conservation of living marine resources, in line with the GFCM workplan and the GFCM 2030 Strategy. It leads activities to enhance knowledge and scientific advice (stock assessment work, development and implementation of management plans, surveys-at-sea, research programmes); supports efforts towards sustainable small-scale and recreational fisheries, including socio-economic aspects; and oversees work on marine spatial planning (establishment of fisheries restricted areas, protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems etc.) and interactions between fisheries and the marine environment and ecosystems (bycatch monitoring programmes, adaptation strategies for non-indigenous species and climate change, marine litter, etc.). The team helps manage the BlackSea4Fish project, and the MedSea4Fish project, aimed at increasing scientific cooperation at the subregional level.
Pilar HERNÁNDEZFishery Officer, Subregional Coordinator for the Western Mediterranean
Western Mediterranean Unit
The Fisheries team is supported by the following specialists: Stefano Lelli (Eastern Mediterranean Fisheries), Konstantin PETROV (Black Sea Subregional Coordinator), Henning WINKER (Framework for the provision of advice), John Gabriel RAMIREZ TELLEZ (Framework for the provision of advice), Ziad SAMAHA (Fisheries and Environment), Aurora NASTASI (Fisheries and Environment), Fabio GRATI (Recreational Fisheries), Constance VERLHAC (Small-Scale Fisheries), Ibrahim ABDELGAWAD (Fisheries Support) and Edgar MUSHEGHYAN (Fish Forum).
AQUACULTURE
The Aquaculture team is responsible for sustainable aquaculture development, in line with the workplan adopted by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) and the GFCM 2030 strategy. The team works with a range of partners to address aquaculture governance and coastal integration, allocated zones for aquaculture (AZA), interactions with the environment, animal health and market issues. It also provides technical assistance and training opportunities; and oversees the work of the newly established Aquaculture Demonstration Centres (ADCs), which aim to promote sustainable aquaculture practices at subregional level.
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The Aquaculture team is supported by the following specialists: Linda FOURDAIN (AZA Establishment, GIS Application and Statistical Analysis), Georgios PAXIMADIS (Responsible Practices, Certifications and Marketing) and Alexandria SCHUTTE (Knowledge Management).
INSTITUTIONAL AND COMPLIANCE
The Institutional and Compliance team advises on legal and institutional matters, including partnerships and cooperation with contracting parties, cooperating non-contracting parties and other non-contracting parties. In line with the work plan of the Compliance Committee (CoC), the team regularly assesses compliance with and application of GFCM recommendations. It also collaborates in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and deals with aspects related to monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS). It also provides technical assistance and training on control measures and to support the transposition of GFCM decisions into national legislations.
The Institutional and Compliance team is supported by the following specialist: Maria Fuensanta CANDELA CASTILLO (Senior Consultant on IUU fishing), Ani NACHKHATASHVILI (Black Sea issues) and Nicola NESI (Fisheries compliance).
DATA MANAGEMENT
The Data management team is in charge of the management and processing of fisheries and aquaculture data, as well as all related technological issues. This also includes the providing support to contracting parties for the transmission of data and information in accordance with binding GFCM recommendations. In line with the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), CAQ, CoC Working Group on the Black Sea (WGBS) workplans, the team deals with aspects related to the fisheries Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) and the aquaculture data network (SIPAM); and it also supports MCS activities.
The Data team is supported by the following specialists: Laurent DUBROCA (Fisheries Data Quality), Elisa MORENO DE LA CRUZ (Data Compliance) and Selvaggia COGNETTI DE MARTIIS (Fisheries Information Management).
PUBLICATION AND COMMUNICATION
The Publication and communication team manages GFCM publications and communication activities. It also provides language support to the Secretariat, including translation and editing.
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The publication and communication team is supported by the following specialists: Adèle PEENAERT (Communication Coordination), Ysé BENDJEDDOU (Publications and Documentation Coordinator), Berna CETIN (Communication), Intissare AAMRI (Communication), Sinziana DEMIAN (Communication) and Matthew KLEINER (Publications).
Other specialists also collaborate on an occasional basis: Claudia AMICO (Filmmaking), Clémentine Laurent (Small-Scale Fisheries).
PROGRAMME, ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
The Programme, administration and finance team supports GFCM activities of all kinds, ensuring the necessary resources are made available to carry out agreed plans. Their key tasks include recruitment, logistics and operational backstopping, travel organization, procurement, fund-raising support and financial monitoring.
The Programme, Administration and Finance team is supported by the following specialists: Paolo DE DONNO (Operations), Andrea LEONE (Finance), Marie HELL (Programme and administration) and Giulia CHAKKALAKAL (Programme).
SECURITY
The Security team is responsible for ensuring the overall security of the GFCM headquarters and maintaining the safety of GFCM personnel and visitors.
The Security team is supported by Alfredo RISINO, Sergio SORACE and Ermanno SORDI.