The annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in Málaga has delivered progress on vessel transparency but leaves major enforcement gaps, according to the Med Sea Alliance and its members Oceana and The Nature Conservancy

Countries agreed to require International Maritime Organisation numbers for vessels over 20 metres, a permanent and cost-free identifier intended to improve traceability and curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Campaigners said the move helps but still excludes much of the fleet. There are also concerns about delaying the full implemention of the GFCM’s compliance mechnism.