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General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established in 1949 under the provisions of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The main objective of the GFCM is to ensure the conservation and the sustainable use, at the biological, social, economic and environmental level, of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in all marine waters of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (the GFCM area of application).

The GFCM is currently composed of 24 contracting parties (Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, European Union, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Turkey) and 5 cooperating non-contracting parties (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine).

The GFCM plays a critical role in fisheries governance in its area of application, having the authority to adopt binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development. These recommendations can relate, among others, to the regulation of fishing methods, fishing gear and minimum landing size, as well as the establishment of spatial protection measures, fishing effort control and of multiannual management plans for selected fisheries.

Representatives of the GFCM Contracting parties meet annually to review and adopt the recommendations prepared on the basis of the advice provided by the GFCM subsidiary bodies:


 * the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC)
 * the Scientific Advisory Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ)
 * the Compliance Committee (COC)
 * the Committee of Administration and Finance (CAF)
 * the Working Group for the Black Sea (WGBS).

The GFCM implements its policy and activities through its Secretariat, based at its headquarters in Rome and implements a subregional approach to fisheries management through its sub-regional technical units.

In cooperation with other RFMOs, the GFCM plays a decisive part in coordinating governmental efforts to effectively manage fisheries at the regional level following the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) and in line with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF). Moreover, it closely collaborates with intergovernmental, non-governmental and civil society organizations in matters of mutual interest. It also both coordinates and benefits from the support of projects and programmes at the regional and subregional levels in order to enhance scientific cooperation and capacity-building among its contracting parties.

= Area of application = The GFCM has competence for all marine waters of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

The GFCM area of application is divided into five subregions: the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean as well as the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. These subregions are divided into 30 geographical subareas (GSAs), commonly used in the GFCM as the minimal management unit.

= Membership = The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean is composed of 24 contracting parties: Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, European Union, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Turkey, and 5 cooperating non-contracting parties (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine).

'''Contracting parties' are any state and regional economic integration organization comprising the Commission. Membership in the Commission is open to Members and Associate Members of FAO and such non-Member States as are Members of the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies that are coastal states or regional economic organization whose vessels engage in fishing in the GFCM area of application. Contracting parties contribute to the GFCM autonomous budget and finance its functioning.''

Cooperating non contracting parties are not formally associated as a contracting party with the GFCM but they actively participate in GFCM activities, attend the sessions of the Commission and commit to fully implement all GFCM recommendations.

= Structure = The GFCM is governed by its Contracting Parties, managed by an elected Bureau, and holds its statutory session once a year, where it adopts recommendations and resolutions as well as its work plan.

To fulfill its mandate, the GFCM relies on five subsidiary bodies responsible for providing advice on established priorities for Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture, issues related to compliance as well as administrative and financial matters. The work of the subsidiary bodies is in turn supported by technical working groups, ad-hoc workshops and strategic initiatives.

The GFCM implements its policy and activities through its Secretariat based at its headquarters in Rome and across its sub-regional technical units.

Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC)
Mandate

Established in 1997, the mandate of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC) is to provide scientific, social and economic advice relating to the work of the Commission, as well as support the implementation of multiannual management plans, taking into account a subregional approach. The SAC shall, in particular:


 * collect and assess information on catches, fishing effort, fleet capacity and other data relevant to the conservation and management of fisheries;
 * assess the status and trends of relevant populations of living marine resources, ecosystems and fisheries-related human components, using the appropriate indicators and in relation to agreed biological and/or management reference points;
 * provide independent advice to facilitate the adoption of recommendations concerning the sustainable management of fisheries and ecosystems at the regional and subregional levels, including relevant biological, environmental, social and economic aspects, the ecosystem approach to fisheries, the impact of IUU fishing and the assessment of biological and ecological implications under different management scenarios;
 * keep abreast of cooperative scientific and technical research projects and programmes of interest to the Committee;
 * undertake any other functions or responsibilities as may be conferred on it by the Commission.

Structure

The SAC operates through:


 * Subregional committee for the western Mediterranean (SRC-WM)
 * Subregional committee for the central Mediterranean (SRC-CM)
 * Subregional committee for the Adriatic Sea (SRC-AS)
 * Subregional committee for the eastern Mediterranean (SRC-EM)

Each relying on the technical work of established working groups (stock assessment, marine environment, small-scale and recreational fisheries, fishing technology, etc.) and ad-hoc workshops.

The GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) is the instrument of the SAC to support Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) in complying with existing recommendations for the collection and submission of all fisheries data to the GFCM. The DCRF is regularly reviewed by the SAC in light of possible requirements emanating from the Commission, including through new recommendations.

Scientific Advisory Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ)
Mandate

Established in 1995, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) is responsible for providing technical advice and promote the sustainable development and responsible management of marine, brackish and inland aquaculture in a way that is consistent with an ecosystem approach to aquaculture and that takes into account the specific regional, subregional and local characteristics. The CAQ shall, in particular:


 * monitor sustainable aquaculture development, following its progress and trends including through the identification, use and regular update of environmental, economic and social indicators;
 * collect and assess information and data with regard among others to production statistics, market data, post harvesting, culture systems, technologies used, farmed species, environmental and aquatic animal health issues;
 * provide independent advice on a technical and scientific basis to facilitate the adoption of recommendations concerning the sustainable development of aquaculture with regard to biological, environmental, social and economic issues;
 * identify and promote the development and implementation of cooperative scientific and technical research projects and programmes;
 * carry out any other functions or responsibilities as may be conferred on it by the Commission.

Structure

The CAQ operates through:


 * The GFCM Aquaculture Multi-stakeholder Platform (AMShP)
 * Working group on governance and regulatory aspects (WG governance)
 * Working group on environment and aquatic animal health (WG environment)
 * Working group on quality and market of aquaculture products (WG market)
 * Working group on innovation and knowledge management (WG innovation)

Aquaculture Demonstrative Centers are a tool of the CAQ to promote and disseminate modern technologies and best practices in aquaculture.

The GFCM collects data and information on aquaculture production statistics as well as other relevant aquaculture data through the Information System for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM).

Compliance Committee (CoC)
Mandate

Established in 2006, the Compliance Committee (CoC) is responsible for assessing and ensuring compliance with GFCM decisions and also provides advice and technical assistance in relation to national legislation, the application of GFCM recommendations, monitoring, control and surveillance issues as well as the fight against IUU fishing. The CoC shall, in particular:


 * assess, on the basis of all available information, compliance by Contracting Parties, Cooperating non-Contracting Parties and relevant non-Contracting Parties with recommendations adopted by the Commission;
 * request clarifications and express concern to Contracting Parties, Cooperating non-Contracting Parties and non-Contracting Parties in cases of non-compliance, prima facie, with recommendations adopted by the Commission;
 * submit to the attention of the Commission cases in which Contracting Parties or Cooperating non-Contracting Parties are not compliant with recommendations adopted by the Commission, or cases in which activities by non-Contracting Parties undermine the effectiveness of such recommendations and adversely affecting the objective of the Agreement, in order to facilitate their identification;
 * provide additional information, as it considers appropriate or as may be requested by the Commission, relating to the implementation and compliance with recommendations adopted by the Commission, as well as with the provisions of the Agreement;
 * provide independent advice on an institutional and legal basis to facilitate the adoption of recommendations, including in connection with aspects related to monitoring, control and surveillance, and technical assistance and capacity building activities to support these aspects;
 * undertake other functions or responsibilities as may be conferred on it by the Commission.

Structure

The CoC operates, inter alia, through:


 * Working Group on Vessel Monitoring System and related control systems (WGVMS)
 * Working Group on IUU Fishing (WGIUU)

The database of GFCM decisions and the databases of national legislations are repositories of the CoC complete with up-to-date standardized information on all relevant regulations in place in GFCM countries.

Committee on Administration and Finance (CAF)
Mandate

Established in 2009, the mandate of the Committee on Administration and Finance (CAF) is to:


 * review administrative matters relating to the Executive Secretary and the Secretariat staff;
 * oversee the correct application of the Rules of Procedure and the Financial Regulations;
 * review the implementation of the annual programme of work and the budget of the Commission, as adopted at its previous session;
 * analyse and make recommendations to the Commission on the draft programme of work and budget as proposed for adoption at the session of the Commission;
 * submit to the Commission proposals concerning the need, as appropriate, for the amendment of the Rules and the Financial Regulations;
 * undertake other functions or responsibilities as may be conferred on it by the Commission.

Working Group on the Black Sea (WGBS)
Mandate

The Working Group on the Black Sea (WGBS) was created by the GFCM in 2010 as an ad hoc mechanism for scientific work and decision-making for Black Sea riparian states: the issues in the region necessitated a regionally influential, widely recognized institutional arrangement. WGBS objectives are to provide scientific advice to the GFCM on matters linked to fisheries management and conservation, including biological, social and economic aspects.

Structure

The WGBS operates on the basis of the technical work of established working groups (stock assessment, small-scale fisheries, etc.) and ad-hoc workshops.

The implementation of WGBS activities benefits from the support of the BlackSea4Fish project and a team based in the GFCM subregional technical unit for the Black Sea (BSU) in Burgas, Bulgaria.

The GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) is the instrument of the WGBS to support Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) in complying with existing recommendations for the collection and submission of all fisheries data to the GFCM. The DCRF is regularly reviewed by the SAC in light of possible requirements emanating from the Commission, including through new recommendations, and upon WGBS advice for Black Sea matters.

= Partners = Formal cooperation with key organisations and solid partnerships with relevant institutions and actors on matters of common interest are essential for the successful implementation of the GFCM mandate and the continuous exchange of information, best practices and ideas.

Partners with an active MoU
The GFCM has signed MoUs with a wide range of intergovernmental, non-governmental and civil society organisations with whom it cooperates and develops joint activities for mutual benefit.


 * ACCOBAMS - Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area
 * AOAD - Arab Organization for Agricultural Development
 * ATLAFCO - Ministerial Conference on fisheries cooperation among African States bordering the Atlantic Ocean
 * Black Sea Commission - The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
 * CIHEAM-IAMZ - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ) of the International Centre for Advanced Agronomic Mediterranean Studies (CIHEAM)
 * Eurofish - International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries in Central and Eastern Europe
 * ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
 * INFOSAMAK - Centre for marketing, information and advisory services for fishery products in the arab region
 * IUCN-Med - International Union for Conservation of Nature - Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation
 * Med-AC - Mediterranean Advisory Council
 * MedPAN - Network of Marine Protected Area Managers in the Mediterranean
 * NEAFC - North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission
 * OceanCare
 * UfM - Union for the Mediterranean
 * UN Environment-MAP - United Nations Environment Programme - Mediterranean Action Plan for the Barcelona Convention
 * WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature

Other key partners
The GFCM cooperates closely with other organisations in order to foster synergies, avoiding duplications and take advantage of each organisation’s comparative advantages.


 * BISAC - Black Sea Advisory Council
 * CIESM - International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea
 * EBCD - European Bureau for Conservation and Development
 * EFCA - European Fisheries Control Agency
 * ICCAT - International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna
 * LIFE - Low Impact Fishers of Europe Platform
 * MSC - Marine Stewardship Council
 * Oceana
 * Pelagos - Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute
 * RAC/SPA - Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas

UN partnerships
The GFCM works with UNDOALOS, IOC-UNESCO, the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department and FAO Mediterranean regional projects to translate global objectives into regional implementation and capitalize on expertise and experience in supporting Mediterranean and Black Sea countries when fulfilling their commitments towards sustainable fisheries.


 * UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS)
 * Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO)
 * FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
 * Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP)
 * Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (RSN)
 * Fishery Resources Monitoring System (FIRMS)

FAO regional projects


 * AdriaMed - Scientific Cooperation to Support Responsible Fisheries in the Adriatic Sea
 * CopeMed II - Advice, Technical Support and Establishment of Cooperation Networks to Facilitate Coordination to Support Fisheries Management in the Western and Central Mediterranean
 * EastMed - Scientific and Institutional Cooperation to Support Responsible Fisheries in the Eastern Mediterranean
 * MedSudMed - Assessment and Monitoring of the Fishery Resources and the Ecosystems in the Straits of Sicily

Academia
The GFCM partners with various universities to develop activities designed to foster and promote education, research and technological capacities. These partnerships aim to facilitate the consolidation of a global partnership in the scientific community.


 * Istanbul University Fisheries Faculty
 * Universidad de Alicante
 * Università Roma Tre

= Activities =

Fisheries
The mandate of the GFCM is to ensure the sustainability of fisheries activities through the adoption of adequate management measures.

Stock assessment
The GFCM established permanent working groups - on demersal and small pelagic fish species - where fisheries scientists perform their analysis and provide scientific advice to manage fisheries and fish stocks. The assessments measure the size and state of the stocks exploited by fisheries.

Fishing fleet
The GFCM gathers information of fishing vessels as recorded into the national fleet register of the countries operating in its areas of competence. The GFCM collects both vessel records (fleet register including authorized vessels over 15m) and Task 1 (fleet segments, fishing activities, main resources, socio-economic variables, catch, effort, overall by-catch, biological aspects).

Red coral
The GFCM has developed a Regional Management Plan for Red Cora l and issued two recommendations as a temporary measure for the conservation of this species:


 * Rec. GFCM/35/2011/2 on the exploitation of red coral in the GFCM competence area;
 * Rec. GFCM/36/2012/1 on further measures for the exploitation of red coral in the GFCM area.

Small-scale fisheries
The GFCM promotes the long-term sustainability of small-scale fisheries (SSF) in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea by enhancing data collection, engaging with SSF stakeholders, building capacity and garnering political will for this sector.

BlackSea4Fish
The BlackSea4Fish project was established in 2016 to contribute to the sustainable management of Black Sea fisheries by providing scientific and technical support to the work of the GFCM in the region, coordinating priority activities of the GFCM Subregional Group on Stock Assessment in the Black Sea (SGSABS) and the Working Group on the Black Sea (WGBS).

The projects involves Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine and the European Union.

Aquaculture
The GFCM supports the sustainable development of aquaculture and the responsible management of marine, brackish and inland aquaculture in the area of application. The GFCM follows an ecosystem approach, taking into account the specific regional, subregional and local characteristics.

A regional strategy for the sustainable development fo Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture has been developed to assist countries in formulating harmonized aquaculture activities and action plans.

Environment and conservation
The GFCM undertakes actions and adopts management measures to safeguard the marine environment and threatened species. The GFCM's conservation efforts focuses on:


 * Marine environmental quality and deep-sea ecosystems;
 * Sharks and rays;
 * Sea turtles, cetaceans and seabirds;
 * Monk seals.

Medbycatch project
The Medbycatch project gathers data in order to reduce and understand bycatch of vulnerable species in the Mediterranean waters of Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey to support sustainable fisheries. The objectives of this project are to:


 * Address knowledge gaps regarding the bycatch of vulnerable species occurring during fishing operations in the Mediterranean through a more systematic and standardized approach to data collection and capacity-building;


 * Identify, and support the testing of, mitigation measures to reduce incidental catches and/or mortality of vulnerable species;
 * Raise awareness on the issue of bycatch and provide bases for the formulation of national/regional strategies to reduce incidental catches, preserve vulnerable species and support the sustainability of fisheries.

Monitoring, control and surveillance
Each year the GFCM adopts recommendations linked to monitoring, control and surveillance aspects to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the region. The GFCM recommendations include an authorized vessel list, and IUU list, port State measures, VMS and a process leading to the identification of cases of non-compliance.

GFCM-Lex project
The GFCM is working on GFCM-Lex, a regional repository for national legislation on the conservation of Mediterranean living marine resources and ecosystems. The project is being piloted in Albania, Tunisia and Turkey, GFCM-Lex aims to:


 * Provide a single access point to national legislation on the conservation of marine living resources and ecosystems in the in the GFCM area of application;
 * Contribute to knowledge sharing, capacity building and development in the field of conservation of marine living resources and ecosystems;
 * Promote a better understanding of existing linkages between the national legislation in place and binding recommendations adopted by the GFCM;
 * Offer a coherent approach to national legislation on the conservation of marine living resources and ecosystems through the identification of key areas:
 * Aquaculture-fisheries interactions;
 * Access regimes to fisheries resources;
 * Conservation and management;
 * Monitoring, control and surveillance.

Technical assistance and cooperation
The GFCM Secretariat has the mandate to provide technical assistance for GFCM Members to build their capacities in fisheries and aquaculture fields. The GFCM Framework Programme (FWP) allows GFCM members to be eligible to receive support from the Secretariat.

= External links =


 * Official website
 * Basic texts
 * Compendium of decisions