Spatial and spatio-temporal measures for fisheries

At the interface between fisheries management and marine biodiversity conservation, spatial management measures are a longstanding component of fisheries management. As fishery management increasingly embraces an ecosystem approach to fisheries, encompassing a broader concept of ecosystem well-being, the use of spatial management tools has become increasingly important.

Since 2005, the GFCM has adopted several spatial measures, in particular fisheries restricted areas (FRAs), to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and essential fish habitats, support the recovery and sustainable exploitation of fish stocks, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

An FRA is a geographically defined area in which all or certain fishing activities are temporarily or permanently prohibited or restricted in order to improve the exploitation and conservation of aquatic living resources or the protection of marine ecosystems (FAO, 2008).

In the GFCM context, FRAs are area-based management tool used to protect marine ecosystems or sensitive habitats, such as vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs), from potentially significant adverse impacts and/or to enhance the productivity of marine living resources by safeguarding essential fish habitats (EFHs), which are essential for critical life history stages of exploited fish species. In practice, FRAs can be established to protect from the impacts of fishing activities any kind of marine resources and habitats, such as aggregations of vulnerable sponges, seamount areas, coralligenous formations, seagrass meadows, spawning grounds and reproduction sites for fish resources. Depending on their objectives, FRAs are sometimes incorporated into GFCM multiannual fisheries management plans.

While marine protected areas (MPAs) are the best-known tool used to protect coastal and marine areas and preserve marine biodiversity and ecosystems, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) acknowledges that other effective area-based management measures, such as FRAs, can also contribute to biodiversity conservation and the protection of marine ecosystems.

Fisheries restricted areas in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

GFCM action

Establish spatial and temporal measures, including FRAs, to improve the status of key demersal species and protect VMEs.
Identify the presence or absence of VME indicators (features, habitats, and taxa) using information from various sources compiled in a regional database on sensitive benthic species and habitats, to support GFCM scientific advice on management measures.
Map FRAs established by GFCM countries within their national waters.