Mediterranean and Black Sea report lowest recorded levels of overexploited fish stocks

On the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) highlighted the results of its policies, which have reduced fishing pressure in the region by around 50% since 2013 and brought overexploited fish stocks to their lowest level on record.

GFCM measures in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, implemented since 2008, include the use of technologies such as vessel monitoring systems (VMS), which are now mandatory for national fishing fleets. In addition, it maintains an IUU vessel list and conducts joint inspection programmes.

Another milestone celebrated by the GFCM is the success of the FishEBM Black Sea and FishEBM Med programmes, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). By the end of 2026, more than 850 vessels, including most of Türkiye's industrial fishing fleet, will be equipped with VMSs.

Montenegro and Albania are also set to join the FishEBM Med project. In addition, fisheries inspectors and officers have taken part in three GFCM training courses on monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) tools held in Malta, Spain and Türkiye.

Finally, Albania, Georgia, and Ukraine have launched initiatives to develop national plans of action to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing (NPOA-IUU), helping align regional standards with international best practices.

Moreover, the GFCM recalls that the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), the first legally binding international agreement specifically designed to combat IUU fishing, marks its 10th anniversary this year.