Brussels (The Brussels Morning newspaper) – The European Commission’s report shows progress in the Western Mediterranean’s multi-annual management plan: fish stocks are recovering, with 20% sustainably harvested and half expected to reach sustainable levels by 2025.
How Are Western Mediterranean Fish Stocks Recovering Since 2019?
The European Commission issued a report on the implementation of the Western Mediterranean multi-annual managing plan for demersal fish stocks and its fisheries. Results indicate that numerous fish stocks have begun to recover after 2019. According to scientific projections, half of the stocks could achieve sustainable fishing levels by 2025. These positive improvements mark a turning point on the road to the full healing of the Western Mediterranean fish stocks.
What Do Latest Reports Say About Sustainable Fishing Levels?
The latest stats from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) indicate that 20% of the stocks are being harvested sustainably – at leading sustainable yield (MSY) – and that 15% are near. The management strategy has enabled stocks such as red mullets in the Gulf of Lion to fully recover while assuring long-term social and economic viability for fishers working in the region.
What Are the Key Goals of the Multi-Annual Management Plan?
The main purposes of the management plan since 2019 were to gain sustainable fishing levels for 20 stocks by January 2025 and to manage the structural overcapacity of the Mediterranean fleet. The plan began with a five-year transition period for the fleet to adjust to the new management measures, intending to determine the social and economic impact on fishers. The plan’s management mechanisms have also expanded transparency in fisheries management in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
How Has the Western Mediterranean Fleet Performed Economically in 2023?
The Western Mediterranean fleet conducted high profitability in 2023, according to recent economic data. The fleet’s favourable economic performance was mainly due to increased first-sale prices and contained fuel prices. Member States also obtained support for the plan implementation with allowance for the sector through the European Maritime Fisheries Fund and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.
What Are the Economic and Social Impacts on Regional Fishers?
This report illustrates how the multi-annual management program allowed Spain, France, Italy and their fishing sectors to move from traditional and limited action management at the national level to an additional efficient EU fisheries management system.
The multi-annual management program for demersal stocks in the Western Mediterranean Sea was assumed in 2019 and is the first and only EU management program in the Mediterranean Sea where most stocks are under transferred management with non-EU countries. The plan covers fisheries for species in Spanish, French and Italian waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
According to the Annual Economic Report (AER) of 2023, more than 4,300 fishers and over 1,200 trawlers are involved in the western Mediterranean Sea, including both the demersal coastal and deep-water sectors.
