The decision just taken by the Mediterranean countries, Sanction system that will enable action to be taken against countries that continue to implement it overfishing or illegal fishing It was welcomed by conservation organisations. They say this is “a crucial step towards building the law enforcement culture necessary to begin rebuilding Mediterranean fish stocks.”
Binding recommendation (GFCM 46) adopted by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) at its meeting in Croatia last week. will finally allow the organization to take action against Member States that do not comply with safeguardsA system that will come into force in 2025 is being used.
In this way, the CGPM’s 22 member states (plus the EU) will now be able to take coercive measures If a member state does not prevent its trawler fleet from fishing in prohibited areasor a member’s failure to comply with fishing tackle rules or harvest restrictions.
“After decades of inaction by Mediterranean countries against illegal fishing, times are changing,” says Helena Álvarez, senior marine scientist at Oceana in Europe. “From 2025 CGPM will finally have the power to force its members to take action against those who do not comply with the requirements against those who do not prevent hunting or landing or fishing in areas where trawlers are prohibited.
Measures that the GFCM could take would include, for example, restricting fishing permits or reducing the number of permitted fishing days at sea. However, NGOs state that it is vital to complement the system with a broader catalog of sanctions so that they can take action, for example, in cases where the data requested by the authorities cannot be provided.
“The measures adopted by the CGPM will ensure better compliance with all conservation and management measures adopted within the framework of this organization,” said Nils Courcy, Senior Maritime and Mediterranean Lawyer at ClientEarth.
“Compliance with the standards adopted by CGPM members It is an important step to improve the condition of fish stocks and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean. “This new proposal, and the GFCM’s stated intentions to extend it to include monitoring, control and reporting obligations by 2026 at the latest, are much-needed improvements to ensure a healthy marine environment in the Mediterranean,” he added.
“We have made great progress in protecting Mediterranean fish stocks and marine ecosystems,” said Steve Trent, founder and chief executive of the Environmental Justice Foundation. “CGPM will now be able to impose sanctions on violations of conservation regulations. a vital step on the road to recovery. The success of conservation efforts in the Mediterranean basin will depend largely on how effectively this tool is implemented and enforced, and I believe that “we call on GFCM members to fully implement this when setting rules.”
Ahead of the meeting, NGOs called for the adoption of a sanctions system that would enable the GFCM to address issues of illegal fishing and non-compliance in its territory; This call was backed by a legal study published this week showing that the CGPM has the powers. to implement such measures.
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