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General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean

Monitoring incidental catch of vulnerable species

The publication Monitoring incidental catch of vulnerable species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: Methodology for data collection was prepared by the GFCM in the context of the joint project Understanding Mediterranean multi-taxa bycatch of vulnerable species and testing mitigation - a collaborative approach, funded by the MAVA Foundation.

The methodology provides harmonized guidance for the collection of data on incidental catches of vulnerable species, including marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles and elasmobranchs, through onboard observations, questionnaires, self-sampling activities and landing surveys across fisheries operating in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

GFCM Database of incidental catch of vulnerable species 

This online system has been made available by the GFCM Secretariat to facilitate the submission and storage of bycatch data. It is aligned with the annexes and data collection protocols described in the GFCM guidelines. 

Objective

The main objective of this document is to support the development and implementation of an efficient and standardized data collection and monitoring system for vulnerable species (i.e. sharks and rays, seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals) encountered in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries by:

  • providing minimum standards for data collection on vulnerable species;
  • standardizing data requirements and forms to ensure repeatability and comparability among fisheries across the region.

In addition, a minimum set of information (e.g. presence and abundance) is recommended to be collected for benthic species associated with VMEs, such as sponges and corals.

Annexes

By clicking on the following links it will be possible to download the annexes (as reported and described in the whole document) for the on-board observations, questionnaires, and for the self-sampling operations. Furthermore, a description of the annexes (with the instructions, codes which should be used) can be found in the methodology.

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