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General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean

Technical measures
Fisheries technical measures, including fishing gear restrictions, selectivity rules and species size limits, are key tools to support sustainable and economically viable fisheries. Improvements in fishing technology and the application of appropriate size limits help reduce unwanted bycatch, particularly juveniles of commercial species and vulnerable species, while also addressing broader challenges such as marine litter, improved data collection and illegal, unreported and unregulated activities. Together these measures support healthier marine ecosystems.

The GFCM has adopted a wide range of technical measures focusing on minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) and fishing gear restrictions. These include:

  • Minimum conservation reference size of 30 cm for blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea, pending an increase to 33 cm
  • Standardized MCRS of 25 mm carapace length for giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp across the Levant Sea, Ionian Sea and Strait of Sicily
  • Minimum conservation reference size of 20 cm for European hake
  • Species-specific size limits for several priority Mediterranean stocks, established under dedicated resolutions
  • Gear-specific restrictions for turbot in the Black Sea, allowing fishing using only bottom-set gillnets with a minimum mesh size of 400 mm and a twine diameter less than or equal to 0.5 mm
  • Minimum conservation reference size of 9 cm for anchovy and 11 cm for sardine applied to small pelagic fisheries in the Adriatic Sea
  • Additional measures including a minimum codend mesh size for demersal trawl nets of 40 mm square mesh or 50 mm diamond mesh, and a maximum length of 2.5 km for driftnets in the Mediterranean

In parallel, the GFCM is advancing technical work to identify and test innovative fishing gear improvements and selectivity measures aimed at reducing incidental catch of vulnerable species and discards. This work is carried out through the implementation of pilot projects and studies, as well as expert consultations supporting the development of effective, science-based mitigation solutions that take into consideration socioeconomic aspects.

GFCM action

  • Compile and maintain knowledge and information on fishing technology in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, including through the publication and update of a Catalogue of fishing gear
  • Implement pilot studies on fishing gear selectivity and test mitigation measures and modified fishing gear to reduce unwanted catch, including juveniles of commercial species, and minimize negative interactions between fisheries and vulnerable species
  • Analyse the socioeconomic impacts of selectivity and mitigation measures
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