The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) adopted its new 2030 Strategy for the Mediterranean and Black Sea at the end of the 44th annual session, which took place between 2 and 6 November.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, said the new strategy provides the framework and tools to “ensure a sustainable, just and inclusive future for our fleets and our local communities, while protecting the ecosystems in the region”.
The adopted ambitious package of measures includes a first-ever multi-annual plan (MAP) to manage Adriatic small pelagic stocks (anchovies and sardines), an additional reduction of the fishing effort for key demersal stocks and new Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRA), which the Commission says will “prevent the collapse of the small pelagic fish, support the recovery of the demersal stocks and the long-term profitability of the Adriatic fisheries”.
Other recommendations put forward by the EU include measures to: - improve fisheries management and control in the Adriatic and Black Seas; - better protect sensitive species and habitats; and - consolidate the monitoring and control framework, including combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) activities in both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Link to the new strategy in question: https://bit.ly/3EUEuo9 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)