This month marks the entry into force of the 17 decisions that the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) adopted at its latest annual session. Through its decisions, the GFCM promotes the development, conservation and sustainable management of living marine resources and contributes to the sustainable development of aquaculture across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Some of the most important decisions this year focus on the Adriatic Sea: single species annual catch limits for small pelagics, a new fisheries restricted area (FRA) and reinforcement measures addressing the management of key demersal species.
Stronger fisheries management
Shared by six countries, the Adriatic Sea is ecologically and biologically rich but faces challenges such as overfishing, habitat degradation and climate change.
The GFCM has been playing a crucial role in fisheries management in the Adriatic through multiple actions, such as conducting scientific research and stock assessments, adopting multiannual management plans and establishing FRAs.
The first ever GFCM management plan was adopted in 2013, covering European anchovy and sardine, which are critical to the Adriatic fishing industry and ecosystem. Now, these two pelagic species are back in the spotlight. Following a management strategy evaluation process conducted in consultation with multiple stakeholders, the GFCM adopted its first ever single species annual catch limits based on harvest control rules, representing an improvement from the joint catch limits enforced up to now.
“This new approach to management is a step in the right direction towards ensuring healthy fish stocks, preventing overfishing and ensuring that fisheries can continue to provide sustainable catches over the long term,” said Marin Mihanovic, GFCM Fishery Officer and Subregional Coordinator for the Adriatic Sea. “In addition, it is widely recognized as a best practice to support ecological sustainability and economic stability, but also as improved fishery management for economic efficiency, community benefits, bycatch reduction and better compliance and enforcement.”
Spatial management is also enhanced, as a new FRA enters into force in the Otranto Channel in the southern Adriatic, between Albania and Italy. The FRA was established following an inclusive process spanning several years and involving many stakeholders. It is the eleventh FRA established by the GFCM in its area of application and the third in the Adriatic Sea, after the Bari Canyon and the Jabuka Pomo Pit.
The Otranto Channel FRA formally pursues the dual aim of protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems formed by bamboo coral from the significant adverse impacts of fishing and boosting the productivity of marine living resources through the protection of essential fish habitats, such as those of deep-water red shrimps, European hake and Norway lobster. It achieves these aims by banning bottom trawling in a core area while limiting and regulating these activities in a buffer area.
In addition, the management of key demersal species is also reinforced. A GFCM multi-annual management plan covering European hake, red mullet, common sole, Norway lobster and deep-water rose shrimp has been in place since 2019. In combination with the Jabuka Pomo Pit FRA, the management plan has proven its effectiveness: the biomass of all five stocks has improved, while three of them – namely red mullet, deep-water rose shrimp and common sole – have reached sustainable levels of exploitation. In order to continue supporting stock recovery, this latest decision further reduces the current fishing effort of bottom otter trawling and introduces additional spatio-temporal measures designed to improve the status of Norway lobster.
"I believe that the management measures put in place over the past years will bring long-term improvements to the fisheries sector, ensuring its continuity and increasing its appeal to younger generations,” said Ilir Kapllani, a fisher of Durres, Albania.
Effective international cooperation
Strong international cooperation across the Adriatic basin has been fundamental for preserving its rich marine life and advancing fisheries on the path to sustainability. Cooperation is enhanced through the GFCM Subregional Committee for the Adriatic Sea, while overall GFCM activities are supported and coordinated through the Adriatic Sea Subregional Technical Unit, which opened in 2022 in Split, Croatia. These structures directly support the implementation of the GFCM MedSea4Fish capacity development programme towards levelling the playing field across the basin in terms of knowledge, expertise and infrastructure.
They also build on collaboration formalized in 1999 through the FAO AdriaMed Project, which over the years has played a pivotal role in fostering scientific cooperation between the relevant countries, contributing to the implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the principles of the ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture.
“The GFCM has recognized that the Adriatic Sea has unique ecological, socioeconomic and governance specificities and tailored its subregional approach to ensure that fisheries policies address challenges in a coordinated manner among the coastal states, while also considering national priorities,” said Katarina Burzanović, General Director at the Directorate for Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro.
Cooperation is also vital for ensuring compliance and enforcement of GFCM decisions. Efforts to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing have covered strengthened port inspection procedures and improved data reporting obligations, including the use of electronic logbooks, automated identification systems and/or vessel monitoring systems on all fishing vessels operating under management plans. Voluntary joint inspection schemes have also been carried out in the subregion, enhancing cooperation and enforcing capabilities at sea and in ports.
Building on these efforts, the GFCM, through its FishEBM Med project, has been supporting the practical implementation of enhanced monitoring, control, and surveillance tools. This year, the GFCM has been working closely with Montenegro to provide comprehensive support and equip the country’s small-scale vessel fleet with the necessary tracking devices. This initiative aims to enhance the monitoring of fishing activities and ensure sustainable practices.
Advancing sustainable aquaculture
The GFCM has been actively supporting sustainable aquaculture development in the Adriatic, working with countries like Albania to establish allocated zones for aquaculture (AZAs) for finfish and shellfish. Through technical assistance, capacity development and field missions, it continues to support advancing the AZA identification process and ensuring that sustainable aquaculture development aligns with the FAO ecosystem-based approach and Blue Transformation Roadmap.
The GFCM has also collaborated with local scientific organizations and producers in Croatia to better assess the effects of climate change on aquaculture and explore potential adaptation measures.
The Adriatic is one of the subregions studied as part of a broader effort to assess impacts across the Mediterranean. Warming waters have led to increased summer mortality rates for species like seabass, while some Mediterranean mussel farms suffered significant losses in 2024, as mussels do not fare well in high temperatures. To adapt, aquaculture producers are exploring new measures, such as integrated multitrophic aquaculture. Trials with European flat oysters are underway, since this species appears more resistant to warming waters than mussels.
As climate change intensifies, its effects are particularly noticeable in the Adriatic, which is a shallow, semi-enclosed sea. Developing and implementing adaptive measures will be crucial to ensure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture and to preserve marine ecosystems.
The GFCM’s work in the Adriatic Sea is made possible thanks to the financial support of the European Union, main donor of the GFCM, as well as the support provided by the Global Environmental Facility.
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