In November 2024, the Med Sea Alliance, with members Oceana, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Global Fishing Watch (GFW) joined the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) meeting in Rome. Together, we called on Mediterranean countries to take immediate, decisive action to combat illegal fishing and restore dwindling fish stocks.

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Our key demands included:

• Mandatory IMO Numbers: Requiring all vessels over 15 meters to have International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers to improve monitoring and reduce illegal fishing activities.
• Transparency in Vessel Ownership: Strengthening the GFCM Authorized Vessel List with comprehensive ownership data to address governance gaps and increase accountability.
• Advancing At-Sea Monitoring Tools: Establishing a dedicated working group to explore the use of innovative tools, such as remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems and human observers, to improve fisheries management.

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In addition, the Med Sea Alliance hosted a side event titled "The Role of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) in Supporting Fisheries Management," where we showcased successful REM programs from Cyprus. These programs highlight the potential of camera and sensor technologies to transform fisheries management by providing more transparency and supporting sustainable fishing practices.