European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) are among the most valuable demersal resources in the Mediterranean, supporting important bottom trawling fisheries in the region.
In 2022, the GFCM adopted a multiannual management plan for bottom trawling fisheries targeting these species in the Strait of Sicily. This management plan is further reinforced by the fisheries restricted areas established in 2018 in the Strait of Sicily, comprising the East of Adventure Bank, the West of Gela Basin and the East of Malta Bank.
Main provisions
- Two-step approach comprising:
- a transitional period from 2023 to 2026, foreseeing the application of effort and catch limits and spatio-temporal measures
- a long-term period from 2027 to 2030 with long-term measures, possibly including yearly effort and catch limits by species, determined on the basis of new scientific data and harvest control rules
- Transitional effort regime for European hake and catch limits for deep-water rose shrimp
- Protection of nursery areas and essential habitats important for European hake and deep-water rose shrimp stocks in the Strait of Sicily, through fisheries restricted areas and temporal closures
- Reduction of discards by avoiding and reducing unwanted catch and ensuring that all catches are landed
- Measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, such as fishing authorizations, catch recording, designated landing ports and prohibition of transshipment
- Measures to adjust the fishing capacity and catch to fishing mortality levels consistent with maximum sustainable yield, towards ensuring economically viable fleets without overexploiting marine living resources
- Assessment of the impacts of the different management measures adopted
The provisions of the multiannual management plan are complemented and enforced through an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme applicable outside the waters under national jurisdiction in the Strait of Sicily (adopted in 2017 and 2018 and extended in 2022).
Objectives
- Ensure that exploitation levels of European hake and deep-water rose shrimp are consistent with maximum sustainable yield, by 31 December 2030 at the latest
- Provide high long-term yields consistent with maximum sustainable yield and guarantee a low risk of stock collapse while maintaining the sustainability and relative stability of fisheries and dependent industries.
Resources
Contact
Elisabetta Betulla Morello
Senior Fishery Officer
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