This Resolution of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) adopts a Mid-term strategy (2017–2020) towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries (Mid-term strategy). The implementation of the strategy is expected to ensure that by 2020 the alarming trend in the status of commercially exploited stocks is reversed. The strategy is divided into the following five targets, with selected outputs and proposed actions: a) Reverse the declining trend of fish stocks through strengthened scientific advice in support of management; b) Support livelihoods for coastal communities through sustainable small-scale fisheries; c) Curb illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, through a regional plan of action; d) Minimize and mitigate unwanted interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems and environment; and e) Enhance capacity-building and cooperation. The GFCM shall review the contents of the mid-term strategy in due course. The strategy requires the regional system of port state measures in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea to be aligned with the provisions in the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA). This will entail the promotion of training of national inspectors and, as appropriate, relevant officers and the establishment of a mutual assistance system will facilitate exchange of information between flag states and port states via the GFCM Secretariat and that of a regional information system to exchange port State measures related data will operationalize port state measures in the GFCM area of application complementing the ongoing establishment of a regional monitoring and control system. The Resolution recognizes the need for assistance to developing countries to adopt and implemented port State measures. The strategy also concerns minimizing and mitigating unwanted interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems and environment and capacity building.
2016-01-01