Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) is an emblematic and highly valued commercial species targeted by Moroccan and Spanish fisheries using handlines and longlines in the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent areas of the Alboran Sea.
In response to concerns over the status of the stock, the GFCM adopted, in 2022, a multiannual management plan for blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea, with the aim of ensuring its sustainable exploitation. Given the depleted status of this key stock, additional remedial measures were introduced in 2024, followed by a harvest control rule in 2025 to guide future annual catch limits and support stock recovery.
Main provisions
-
Two-step approach comprising:
- a three-year transitional period, from 2023 to 2025, with the implementation of transitional measures, including catch limits and minimum conservation reference size (MCRS), also for recreational fisheries, limits in the number of hooks and temporal closures
- a long-term period, from 2026 to 2030, with the implementation of adaptive, long-term measures stemming from the evaluation of the transitional management measures, the finalization of stock assessment and management strategy evaluation, as well as additional research on spawning and nursery areas to be protected
- Annual catch limits
- Limitation of fishing effort (i.e. the number of hooks and lines) and size of hooks
- Minimum conservation reference size of 30 cm
- Limitation of catches by recreational fisheries
- Temporal closures of no less than 60 continuous days from January to March to protect the spawning period
- Compulsory fishing authorizations
Objectives
- Ensure that exploitation levels of blackspot seabream reach 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
Resources
Contact
Sergi Tudela
Fishery Officer – Subregional Coordinator for the Western Mediterranean Unit
.jpg?sfvrsn=645b9297_2)
Inner pages MENU - Fisheries navigation
Scientific advice and knowledge
Fisheries management