General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - GFCM

Incidental catch of vulnerable species

The incidental catch of vulnerable species, namely elasmobranchs, marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and macrobenthic invertebrates,(often referred to as bycatch) is a threat to the sustainability of fisheries, as well as to the conservation of the marine environment.

Understanding the issue and adopting effective measures to reduce bycatch rates are essential steps towards minimizing fisheries’ impacts on vulnerable species and marine ecosystems, as well as ensuring a profitable and sustainable fisheries sector. This is a key area of focus for the GFCM going forwards.

GFCM ACTIONS

  • Collection of harmonized data on incidental catches of vulnerable species (Medbycatch project) according to standard data collection methodologies (incidental catch).
  • Compilation of complementary baseline information on incidental catches of vulnerable species through a regional review and ad-hoc case studies.
  • Development and maintenance of a regional bycatch database to support the formulation of scientific advice.
  • Production of an identification guide to vulnerable species to help improve the quality of data collected on bycatch.
  • Publication and dissemination of multilingual good practice guides for the handling and release of vulnerable species incidentally caught during fishing operations.
  • Identification of mitigation measures to reduce bycatch, in particular the incidental catch of vulnerable species.
  • Launch of pilot projects by group of vulnerable species to collect additional data and ensure compliance with conservation and management measures
  • Awareness campaigns and promotion of responsible fishing practices to enhance the conservation of vulnerable species, in particular by mitigating interactions with fisheries.

RESOURCES

 Recommendations

  • Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/2 on enhancing the conservation of cetaceans in the GFCM area of application (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/2 on fisheries management measures for the conservation of sharks and rays in the GFCM area of application, amending Recommendation GFCM/36/2012/3 (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/37/2013/2 on the establishment of a set of minimum standards for bottom-set gillnet fisheries for turbot and conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea (EN)
  • Recommendation GFCM/36/2012/2 on mitigation of incidental catches of cetaceans in the GFCM area of application (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/36/2012/3 on fisheries management measures for conservation of sharks and rays in the GFCM area of application (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/35/2011/3 on reducing incidental bycatch of seabirds in fisheries in the GFCM area of application (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/35/2011/4 on the incidental bycatch of sea turtles in fisheries in the GFCM area of application (EN | FR)
  • Recommendation GFCM/35/2011/5 on fisheries measures for the conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal in the GFCM area of application (EN | FR)

Publications