The ministers of the Mediterranean countries, due to meet in Malta on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 March, are expected to adopt a raft of initiatives with precise targets to stem the decline in fish stocks by 2020 and to support small-scale fishing (see EUROPE 11753).
Theirs will be a massive task, with over 85% of stocks in the Mediterranean below safe biological limits, according to scientific opinion.
The MedFish4Ever declaration, which will be more a “work programme for action over the next ten years”, according to a source, is expected to be adopted by the ministers of the eight EU countries involved (Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and Cyprus) and seven non-EU countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Albania and Montenegro). Libya and Syria have not joined this process. Israel will not sign the declaration but will support the objectives set. “More or less 80% of the Mediterranean fleet will be covered”, if all the countries that are to sign the declaration are counted, an expert stated.
Achieving MSY. The declaration will aim for compliance with the principle of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) in the management of key fish stocks by 2020 at the latest. The countries will be called on to improve data gathering on the state of stocks. All of the so-called key species (anchovy, sardine, hake, mullet, bream, etc.) will be covered by multiannual management plans.
The declaration will aim, by means of marine protected areas, to protect at least 10% of the Mediterranean Sea by 2020. This compares with only 4.6% at present. Ministers will also pledge to bring an end to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by 2020.
The declaration also highlights the need for fishermen to retrain and diversify into blue economy and coastal tourism jobs.
Supporting aquaculture and small-scale fishing. Small-scale fishing makes up 80% of the Mediterranean fishing fleet, 60% of jobs and 25% of fish catches. To ensure a future for those who work in this sector, the declaration will call for a regional action plan for small-scale fishing to be put in place in 2018. “There is a very clear sense of solidarity”, a source stresses. Lastly, the European Commission has increased its financial contribution to the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (CFCM) for 2016 and 2017. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)