Programme (PDF)

Wednesday, 6 June 2018 / Expert meeting on fisheries and aquaculture – Black Sea priorities

Three sessions were held during the expert meeting (6 June). Each session gathered experts from riparian countries, national research institutes and relevant stakeholders with a view to making the most of the expertise in the region as relating to different topics of importance for Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture. Each session included roundtable discussions.

Session 1 – Two major challenges: science and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing

The first session focused on marine scientific research and on improving scientific advice in Black Sea towards better management of commercially exploited stocks. The priorities to be addressed by the ongoing BlackSea4Fish project and the upcoming Forum on Fisheries Science (FAO headquarters, December 2018) were identified. All riparian countries will be increasingly involved in these initiatives. In addition, the next steps envisaged to advance the fight against IUU fishing in the Black Sea through the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action for the fight against IUU fishing were outlined and examined taking into consideration the needs of riparian countries. Discussions directly contributed to the celebration of the first International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing by the FAO.

Session 2 - Furthering aquaculture sustainability: the key role of Aquaculture Demonstrative Centres (ADCs)

The second session focused on the development of the aquaculture sector in the Black Sea. In recent years, the GFCM has placed emphasis on the sustainability of this sector on the basis of the recently adopted Strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture. In this context, the role of Aquaculture Demonstrative Centers (ADCs) to boost the development of the sector, following an ad hoc approach and reflecting aquaculture development expectations of the Black Sea riparian countries, was acknowledged. Participants had the opportunity to take stock of the existing knowledge and ongoing cooperation in the region and to further discuss the core topics to advance on the sustainable development of aquaculture. Discussions also contributed to provide a framework for ADCs in the Black Sea riparian countries from an environmental, economic and social perspective.

Session 3 – Towards an action plan for sustainable small-scale fisheries: involving Black Sea stakeholders in the GFCM decision-making process through national platforms

After the successful outcomes of the Regional Conference on “Building a future for sustainable small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea” (Algeria, March 2016), the interest in this sector has been dramatically increasing. With a view to better taking stock of small-scale fisheries and their socio‑economic dimension, the GFCM has been advocating for the creation of national platforms which will give a voice to associations and cooperatives in the region. This session focused on the national platforms in the riparian countries with the aim of providing information of relevance to the Black Sea to the upcoming High-level meeting on small-scale fisheries (Malta, September 2018).

Thursday, 7 June 2018 / High-level session conference on Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture

Ministers and high-level representatives from the Black Sea region renewed their political commitment towards responsible fisheries and sustainable aquaculture in the region. On the basis of the initial goals identified on the occasion of the High-level conference towards enhanced cooperation on Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture (Romania, October 2016), they formalized their intention to act for the future of Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture through the adoption of a formal declaration.