Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is one of the most valuable and ecologically important fish species in the Black Sea. Present across the basin, it has long been targeted by coastal fisheries, but decades of overexploitation led to dramatic declines in stock and catches.
In response, the GFCM adopted recommendations establishing minimum measures for bottom-set gillnet fisheries for turbot, as well as measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. To further strengthen these efforts, the GFCM established, in 2017, a multiannual management plan for turbot with the objective of restoring the stocks to maximum sustainable yield levels.
Main provisions
- Annual total allowable catch at the Black Sea level and allocation of quotas among contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties
- Regular assessment of the stock
- Evaluation of fishing effort
- Assessment of alternative management measures
- Definition of adequate size for bottom-set gillnets, proposal for minimum requirements for their marking and identification of mitigation measures to deter cetacean bycatch
- Requirement for all vessels fishing turbot to possess a valid fishing authorization, with each country ensuring that adequate mechanisms are in place to record each fishing vessel in a national fleet register and record catches and fishing effort through logbooks and remote sensing, as well as through catch and effort sampling surveys
- Annual closure of at least two months during the turbot spawning season (April to June) for each coastal country
- Implementation of a traceability mechanism for turbot catch
The multiannual management plan is complemented by provisions and management-oriented scientific work to ensure the mitigation and reduction of cetacean (mainly harbour porpoise) bycatch.
Objectives
- Ensure that the exploitation of turbot reaches levels consistent with maximum sustainable yield
- Prevent increases in fishing effort and fishing capacity
- Deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities
- Contribute to the elimination of discards and bycatch
Resources
- Cetacean-free turbot fisheries in the Black Sea (also available in Bulgarian, Georgian, Romanian, Turkish)
- Authorized vessel list: Turbot fisheries in the Black Sea
- Stock assessment data and information
Publications
Publications
Join the work towards cetacean-free turbot fisheries in the Black Sea
2023
Also available in Bulgarian, Georgian, Romanian, Turkish and Ukrainian
Contact
Elisabetta Betulla Morello
Senior Fishery Officer
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