In the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, marine capture fisheries generate a total estimated annual revenue of USD 3 billion. However, this figure represents only part of the wider socioeconomic impact of fisheries in the region, which is estimated to be at least 2.6 times as large at approximately USD 7.8 billion. The region’s fisheries employ approximately 183 000 people directly on-board fishing vessels; while adding other fisheries-related employment along the value chain, such as the pre- and post-harvest sectors, gleaning activities and other in-kind labour (such as non-remunerative support from family members) brings the estimated total to 500 000 jobs.

Fisheries are an important source of food, income and livelihoods for people throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea region and, as such, sound fisheries management must consider these aspects. Socioeconomic data can help to capture them by providing insight into drivers of fisher behaviour, such as the revenue received, the costs incurred and the number of people dependent on the fishery for their livelihood. Together, these drivers influence the species targeted, the level of resource exploitation and the fishing gear used. Socioeconomic data are therefore integral to assessing the state of a fishery and are a key component of the advice required for evidence-based fisheries management; consequently, CPCs are requested to regularly transmit socioeconomic data to the GFCM via DCRF Task VI.