On the occasion of the World Fisheries Day, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean is publishing online the final version of the mid-term strategy (2017–2020) towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries.

This strategy is the fruit of the commitment of GFCM contracting parties, cooperating non-contracting parties and partner organizations to improve, by 2020, the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and ensure that the alarming trend in the status of commercially exploited stocks is reversed. With less than 15 percent of Mediterranean and Black Sea assessed stocks fished within biologically safe limits, stagnant fleet numbers and decreasing catches, it is time indeed to move up a gear and take urgent all-encompassing measures.

The mid-term strategy is based on five targets which include selected outputs and proposed actions: (1) Reverse the declining trend of fish stocks through strengthened scientific advice in support of management; (2) Support livelihoods for coastal communities through sustainable small-scale fisheries; (3) Curb illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, through a regional plan of action; (4) Minimize and mitigate unwanted interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems and environment, and (5) Enhance capacity-building and cooperation.

This instrument represents an important attempt to tailor the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) to the needs and specificities of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The Mediterranean can already count on long-standing regional mechanisms to coordinate actions addressing the status of stocks and fisheries. In this context, the GFCM is therefore called to play a leading role in steering actions and boosting cooperation in order to bring about a favourable and open environment where different actors could transparently contribute to meet common goals and provide their support, expertise and experiences.

It is the first time that a regional fisheries management organization presents a specific strategy to address in particular Sustainable Development Goal 14 which is to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. “We stand ready to cooperate, together with the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department and its regional projects in the Mediterranean, for a better future and more sustainable fisheries in the region” said Abdellah Srour, GFCM Executive Secretary.

Another strategy specifically addressing sustainable aquaculture development is also being developed within the GFCM by a dedicated task force.

The full text of the mid-term strategy is available here: English | French