General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - GFCM

Inspection schemes and sighting procedures

A number of observation and inspection programmes have been established at sub-regional level to ensure that fishing vessels comply with GFCM anti-IUU measures. In this regard, joint inspection schemes – and related pilot projects in selected countries – are implemented by the GFCM in close coordination with the European Fisheries Control Agency and with the active collaboration of national inspectors. These schemes allow the pooling of essential resources and technology, and support the establishment of sighting procedures to deter vessels without a flag or engaged in reflagging from operating in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, contributing to the regular update of the GFCM IUU list. 

GFCM ACTIONS

  • Execution of pilot projects to align MCS activities under GFCM multiannual management plans (i.e. for trawl fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the Strait of Sicily, for trawl fisheries targeting shrimp in the Levant and Ionian seas, for small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea, and for turbot fisheries in the Black Sea) in close coordination of the European Fisheries Control Agency and national authorities;
  • Organization of joint training of national inspectors and control personnel
  • Facilitation of enhanced access to information collected through joint inspections; close coordination with flag states of inspected vessels
  • Agreement on swift sighting procedures and actions required when vessels engaged in IUU fishing are detected. 

RESOURCES

  • Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/10 on access to information and data related to monitoring, control and surveillance within the framework of joint inspection and surveillance schemes | (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/6 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme outside the waters under national jurisdiction in the Strait of Sicily (geographical subareas 12 to 16), amending Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/8 | (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/8 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme outside the waters under national jurisdiction in the Strait of Sicily (geographical subareas 12 to 16) (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/3 on a multiannual management plan for sustainable trawl fisheries targeting giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp in the Levant Sea (geographical subareas 24, 25, 26 and 27) (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/4 on a multiannual management plan for sustainable trawl fisheries targeting giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp in the Ionian Sea (geographical subareas 19, 20 and 21) (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/8 on further emergency measures 2019-2021 for small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17 and 18) (EN | FR)
  • Decision GFCM/37/2013/2 roadmap to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Black Sea (EN | FR)