Objectives and Project's implementation

MedSudMed is dedicated to providing technical assistance to participating countries, aiming for the sustainable development of aquaculture and fishing activities. This programme prioritizes the interests of local fishing and farming communities, the restoration of aquatic environments, and the enhancement of positive interactions between fisheries, aquaculture, and other uses of aquatic systems. These efforts align with the FAO's Four Betters.

MedSudMed also seeks to foster cooperation among experts, managers and operators in fisheries and aquaculture among participating countries, laying the groundwork for discussions on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development.

Key objectives include: 

• promoting institutional, scientific, and technical cooperation among Libya, Malta, Italy and Tunisia,
• Improving current knowledge and/or generate science-based knowledge and best practices on the interactions among aquaculture, small-scale fisheries, tourism and other coastal related activities toward the implementation of EAF/EAA principles.
• supporting countries in adapting their research and monitoring programs to meet the knowledge needs of the Blue Transformation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 MedSudMed aims to bridge knowledge and even capacity gaps among countries, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaborative actions to address regional challenges in fisheries and aquaculture.

Through these objectives, the program supports the practical application of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO CCRF) and the ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture (EAF/EAA), advancing the implementation of the Blue Transformation roadmap.

MedSudMed is supported in its work by:

Coordination Committee

The Coordination Committee consists of representatives of the Governments of the participating countries; of the donor; of the regional fisheries management body (the FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean -GFCM), of the other FAO regional programmes in the Mediterranean (e.g. AdriaMed) and of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division as well invited experts.

The Coordination Committee (CC) is the MedSudMed advisory body. Based on the inputs provided by the participating countries, The CC discusses, steers and defines the MedSudMed annual work programme.

 Working Groups

The Working Groups (WGs) are multi-disciplinary groups composed by scientists, managers and stakeholders from Italy, Libya, Malta, Tunisia. The WG are open to experts from other regions. The WGs have been created to:

• support the technical decisions of the Coordination Committee;
• facilitate the sharing of knowledge on fisheries and aquaculture in the area;
• highlight recently achieved results and valid methodologies;
• identify and discuss common priorities for research, development and management of fisheries and aquaculture;
• contribute to networking and to strengthen cooperation throughout the central Mediterranean region.

National Focal Points

MedSudMed is also supported by National Focal Points appointed by each of the participating countries. The NFP is a high level, experienced fishery/aquaculture scientist who advised on country’s priorities, ensures effective flow of communication to and from the counterparts, facilitate the implementation of programme activities at national level and provides support in information and data gathering.