Throughout the world, the fisheries and aquaculture sectors are facing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a view to sharing information among its countries and facilitating a reflection on future responses, the GFCM has conducted a preliminary analysis of the impacts of this crisis on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea region:

Fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea: 
A preliminary analysis of the impact of covid-19 crisis

It clearly emerges from this analysis that the COVID-19 crisis has had major effects on fisheries and aquaculture production as well as on markets for fisheries and aquaculture products. The extent of the impacts and the measures taken have varied from country to country and are evolving constantly.

The GFCM will continue to follow the evolution of this crisis to take steps to support the recovery of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, with a special focus on the impacts on the livelihoods of fishers and aquaculture farmers.

A mix of immediate action and longer-term strategic initiatives is needed to secure and reconcile the economic, social and environmental sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The post-2020 strategy of the GFCM will heed this call.