The Fisheries Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) is the comprehensive framework for the collection and reporting of data related to Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries. It provides GFCM contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties (CPCs) with guidance on the data to be collected through the DCRF Manual, as well as online tools for data entry and official submission through the DCRF online platform. The DCRF promotes timely, standardized and harmonized reporting through a structured and established data submission calendar.
Compulsory data reported to by the GFCM
- National fisheries statistics
- Catches, including landings; species-specific catch data, fishing activities, landing points and designated ports in the context of GFCM management plans
- Incidental catch of vulnerable species
- Fishing fleets, including authorized vessels in the context of GFCM management plans
- Fishing effort, including fleet segments, fishing gear and catch-per-unit effort
- Socio-economic aspects, including economic and social data, operating costs and species value
- Biological information, including stock assessment input data; length and maturity data, size at first maturity, and data on select species such as dolphinfish, red coral and European eel
Data submission
Fisheries data are submitted through the DCRF online platform on an annual or biennial basis, in accordance with the data submission calendar and the requirements established in relevant GFCM decisions.
The DCRF is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect new data requirements arising from decisions adopted by the Commission.
How the DCRF supports fisheries data collection
- Clearly defined thematic areas of data collection (“tasks”) in line with GFCM objectives
- Detailed descriptions of data variables
- Simplified aggregation of requested data variables
- A flexible and streamlined fleet segmentation scheme
- Simpler measures of fishing effort
- Priority species groups, identified at the GFCM subregional level (western Mediterranean, central Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea)
- Well-defined data collection practices
- Improved online data submission procedures
DCRF Manual
The DCRF Manual provides guidance to CPCs on the collection of fisheries data and their standardized submission through the DCRF online platform. The manual is updated and published by the GFCM Secretariat at least once a year.
DCRF Manual
(version 26.1, March 2026)
Also available in French
DCRF online platform
The DCRF online platform is the key tool for the official submission of national fisheries data to the GFCM. It provides CPCs with online functionalities for data entry and submission in accordance with relevant GFCM decisions.
The GFCM Secretariat provide national authorities of CPCs with two sets of credentials to access the DCRF online platform: one with data-entry and transmission functionalities and one with data-entry functionalities only.
The management of user credentials is the sole responsibility of the relevant national authorities. While multiple users may access simultaneously using the same credentials, working concurrently on the same data reporting tool (for example, the same table for the same reference year) is not recommended as it may affect the functioning of data entry and submission procedures.
