Strengthening Transparency and Compliance to Combat IUU Fishing in the Mediterranean

Med Sea Alliance (

Partnership

)

#OceanAction57869

Description

The Med Sea Alliance commits to advocating for enhanced transparency, strengthened compliance mechanisms, and the effective enforcement of GFCM measures to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. Our objective is to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and protect marine biodiversity while safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Objectives & Actions:
Strengthening Compliance Mechanisms
- Advocate for the full implementation of the GFCM compliance mechanism adopted in 2023, ensuring its enforcement starting in 2025.
- Call for the adoption of additional compliance measures (categories B and C) to complete the compliance mechanism.
- Push for CoC reform by integrating best practices from other Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and strengthening the GFCM Secretariat’s role in IUU fishing case follow-ups.
- Support the inclusion of NGO reports on non-compliance in CoC deliberations.

Enhancing Vessel Monitoring & Surveillance
- Urge the adoption of a GFCM Recommendation in 2025 for a regional Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) with mandatory data sharing between flag and coastal states.
- Call for full implementation of VMS on all vessels over 15 meters by 2025 and advocate for the use of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for all vessels over 15 meters by 2030.

Improving Vessel Traceability & Transparency
- Advocate for the mandatory registration of IMO numbers for all vessels over 15 meters, including wooden ones, by updating Resolution GFCM/44/2021/6 and upgrading it to a binding Recommendation.

Ensure all vessels over 12 meters comply with IMO number requirements by 2030.
- Call for greater transparency in the GFCM Authorized Vessel List (AVL), including the publication of previous flag states, beneficial ownership details, and expanded public access to vessel information.

Expanding At-Sea Monitoring
- Advocate for the establishment of a GFCM Working Group on at-sea monitoring to discuss human observer programs, electronic monitoring (REM), and electronic reporting.
- Support the inclusion of at-sea monitoring measures in GFCM conservation frameworks, particularly to assess the impact of fisheries on bycatch species such as sea turtles.

Improving Compliance & Enforcement Transparency
- Push for the publication of CPC compliance efforts, including a publicly accessible database tracking infringements, follow-ups, and enforcement actions, following best practices from other RFMOs (e.g., NAFO’s compliance tracking system).

Partners

Med Sea Alliance (NGO Coalition)
Oceana (NGO)

SDGS & Targets

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Name	Description
14.4	By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.a	Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

False

Feedback

Action Network

Timeline

14 March 2025 (start date)

31 December 2025 (date of completion)

Entity

Med Sea Alliance

SDGs

Other beneficiaries

Other Mediterranean and European Countries and regions

Ocean Basins

North Atlantic

Communities of Ocean Action

Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Sustainable blue economy, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology

Website/More information

N/A

Countries

France

Greece

Italy

Morocco

Spain

Turkey

Contact Information

Emily , Project Manager

emily@medseaalliance.org