Rome, Italy – November 4, 2024 – As the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) convenes in Rome, the Med Sea Alliance, alongside its members Oceana and the Environmental Justice Foundation, is urging member countries to take immediate action to safeguard Mediterranean fisheries. With illegal fishing and depleted fish stocks posing critical threats, the Alliance is calling for decisive measures on compliance, transparency, and at-sea monitoring.
In 2023, the GFCM introduced a compliance system to enhance accountability in sustainable fisheries management across member countries. However, concerns are mounting over the slow progress and challenges in its practical implementation.
“Last year, the GFCM made a breakthrough by agreeing on a system to ensure countries stick to the rules for managing and protecting fishing resources in the Mediterranean. But 12 months on, we are no closer to seeing it in action,” said Jesus Urios Culianez, Ocean Campaigner at the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). “By now, the system should have been fully tested, and any issues in how we assess compliance and impose sanctions should have been ironed out. We can’t let delays in the pilot phase be used as an excuse to push back the compliance mechanism coming into force on time next year. Governments must find the political will to make this happen.”
One of the key demands from the Alliance is the mandatory assignment of IMO numbers to all eligible vessels over 15 meters, to enhance monitoring and reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“IMO numbers are a costless, straightforward tool that would significantly strengthen efforts to combat illegal fishing and support the GFCM’s mission to rebuild depleted fish stocks. This is why most RFMOs require them, and we urge the GFCM to do the same for all vessels over 15 meters,” explained Helena Álvarez, Senior Marine Scientist at Oceana. “These numbers stay with a vessel throughout its lifecycle, unlike call signs or flags, enabling authorities to track who is fishing, what they are fishing for, and where. They’re a practical, cost-effective solution for strengthening monitoring and enforcement.”
Members of the Med Sea Alliance are also pressing for greater transparency in vessel ownership. Strengthening the GFCM Authorized Vessel List with comprehensive ownership details is critical for closing gaps in governance and preventing bad actors from taking advantage of existing loopholes.
Members of the Alliance further call for the GFCM to establish a dedicated working group to explore cutting-edge at-sea monitoring tools, such as remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems and human observers, which will provide real-time insights into the health of Mediterranean fisheries.
The Med Sea Alliance will also host a side event titled “The Role of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) in Supporting Fisheries Management” on November 7, during the GFCM meeting. This event will explore how REM, which uses camera and sensor technology onboard fishing vessels, can enhance fisheries management by providing independently verified data to support transparent governance. The side event will showcase successful REM programs from countries like Cyprus and the Federated States of Micronesia, highlighting their experiences and lessons learned.
Notes to Editors:
- Photos/Videos are available at this link.
- Positions Document: Call for the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to increase transparency and effectively tackle non-compliance cases and IUU fishing is available here.
- Beneficial Ownership Factsheet: Key information on the role of transparent ownership in addressing IUU fishing is available here.
For media inquiries please contact:
Maria Elena De Matteo, Med Sea Alliance Communications Lead, m.elena@medseaalliance.org