GFCM's improvements over fisheries management and conservation
A series of ambitious measures have been adopted on May 17th by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). These encouraging measures aim at improving fisheries management and conservation in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
The EU and GFCM members have closely cooperated in order to undertake important steps to change the way GFCM works and to adopt a multiannual approach for fisheries management in the area.
This year's important development is the adoption of a multiannual management plan for the Adriatic as well as a set of management measures for the turbot. Moreover, following an EU proposal, GFCM has decided to carry on with its reform. It will propose to its members and to the FAO, by early 2014, a new structure and new governance of the organisation.
Commissioner Damanaki stated that: "Even if most of these decisions that were adopted by GFCM last week were initiated by the EU, it is clear that the important result we have achieved was possible due to the intense and close cooperation with all our partners. It is clear that we all share the same views on the decisions that need to be taken to address the state of resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and to ensure a level playing field”.
