A group of over 50 countries has agreed at a UN conference on protection measures to protect fish stocks, especially bluefin tuna, in the Mediterranean Sea.
The measures were adopted during the annual FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Rome last week, which was attended by 19 countries plus the European Community.
It was agreed that new types of netting would be used in bottom trawls. Changes to the shape of the mesh holes in the cod end will let small juvenile fish that have not yet reproduced to escape to breed.
A set of benchmarks for measuring the capacity of fishing fleets in the region and assessing their impact on shared stocks has also been agreed. This is the first time such a system has existed in the Med.
With regards to tuna, the number of countries that have agreed to abide by rules adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) has increased from 42 to 56.
These measures include a 15 year recovery plan for tuna, beginning in 2007 and running until 2022. This means a six month no fishing period for specific types of boats, bans the use of aircraft for spotting tuna, forbids catching tuna under 30kg except in specific circumstances and requires better reporting of tuna catches. Tuna will also only be allowed to be offloaded at designated ports and countries will be obliged to place observers on fishing boats to ensure that these regulations are being adhered to.
