It’s a significant milestone – but what does the GFCM actually do? What has it achieved so far?

Since its creation, the GFCM has evolved into an efficient organization at the service of its member countries, building upon science and innovation to become the authority adopting binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development in the region.

The last decade has been the most active in the GFCM’s history, and it has achieved some real successes.

Turning the corner on overexploitation

Perhaps the most important is that following decades of continued efforts, a corner has finally been turned on overexploitation of the region’s vital fisheries.

While 75 percent of assessed stocks remain subject to overfishing, this percentage nonetheless fell by more than 10 percent between 2014 and 2018, and the positive downward trend continues. By working with its members to improve scientific knowledge and technical capacity, the GFCM is putting stock management on a firmer footing; while also addressing socio-economic and conservation challenges.

Taking an effective subregional approach

The challenges vary across the region, and this is why the GFCM has adopted a subregional approach, establishing separate technical units in each subregion of the Mediterranean – the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean, plus the Adriatic Sea,  and the Black Sea. These technical units address the needs of each subregion, working locally to promote cooperation and dialogue between countries, intergovernmental, non-governmental, academic and civil society organizations, to explore solutions to common challenges, learn new techniques and share innovative ideas.

Producing the first and only comprehensive review of fishery trends in the region

Every two years, the GFCM combines data submitted by its member countries and the latest findings of its scientific bodies to produce the definitive review of fishery trends across the region. It also maintains databases in related areas to support strategic analysis and adaptive decision-making.

Promoting sustainable aquaculture

In parallel with wild capture fisheries, the aquaculture sector is vital for food security, employment and economies. But the sector is at different stages of development around the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and a level playing field is needed to ensure its full potential. That’s where the GFCM comes in, supporting responsible investment, disseminating best practices, and providing stakeholders with the technology and data they need to develop their operations. The ultimate aim is to create a sustainable aquaculture sector that’s productive, profitable and globally competitive.

A robust new strategy to face the challenges ahead

The Mediterranean Sea is a global hotspot for pressures including climate change, plastic pollution and invasive species, all of which are increasingly affecting the marine environment – and productive fisheries and aquaculture require healthy seas.

Ensuring a healthy marine environment and building ecosystem resilience has become a central priority over the last decade, and today, together with fisheries sustainability it’s the first target in the GFCM’s 2030 Strategy, which sets out the Commission’s priorities for the next decade. The Strategy is rooted in practical actions with clear targets in areas including productive fisheries, healthy seas, compliance and enforcement, aquaculture development, better livelihoods, and regional capacity-building.

Find out more about the GFCM - 10 achievements of the past 10 years

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization whose main objective is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

It was established under article XIV of the FAO constitution, and is governed by its 23 contracting parties – 19 Mediterranean states, 3 Black Sea states and the European Union.