The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) high-level conference on MedFish4Ever initiatives, held on 3 and 4 October in Malta, provided an opportunity for the European Commission and 20 EU and Mediterranean states to renew their commitment to the environmental, economic and social sustainability of fishing activities in the area.
Six years after the MedFish4Ever declaration, the Mediterranean States met again to review the progress made, while examining the future challenges facing the region (see EUROPE 13263/20).
The parties wish to redouble their efforts to achieve these objectives: protect marine resources, combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, strengthen the viability of coastal communities by supporting small-scale fishing, guarantee decent working conditions and social protection for fishermen, make fishing more attractive to the younger generations and recognise the work of women, develop sustainable aquaculture and strengthen the value chain.
All these commitments will require additional resources. The European Union, as the main donor for the implementation of the MedFish4Ever declaration, has confirmed its financial support of €8 million and has called on new donors to join it.
Lastly, six innovative practices in the fisheries and aquaculture sector were rewarded at the conference. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)