Officials from Mediterranean countries have taken a historical step towards ending overfishing in the region with a new UN FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) agreement.
High-level officials including Maria Damanaki, EU Commissioner for fisheries and maritime affairs, expressed their commitment to put an end to overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea while considering marine ecosystems and preserving fragile habitats – a move welcomed by Oceana.
“In 1949, Mediterranean riparian states agreed to manage fish stocks. More than 60 years later, fisheries remain unmanaged and almost 80% of stocks are overfished, “said Xavier Pastor, executive director, Oceana in Europe.
“Today, we can finally celebrate that the GFCM has not turned a deaf ear to the alarms and we welcome its strong stance, which we hope will turn the tide for the future of our sea,” he added.
The parties have worked on a new GFCM agreement text includes significant changes that will now have to be properly implemented. .
In particular, Ocean says it welcomes the adoption of multiannual plans to achieve the sustainable management of stocks – more fish at sea means fisheries will be more profitable. It’s also pleased about the Definition of Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs) for the protection of Essential Fish habitats and vulnerable marine ecosystems. Adoption of the precautionary principle when managing stock has also welcomed.
