Fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Mediterranean and Black Sea – The European Commission has formalised its proposals on fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and Black Sea for 2024.
The aim is to promote the sustainable management of fish stocks, in line with the commitments of the MedFish4Ever and Sofia declarations.
The proposal uses the same instruments adopted in 2022 and 2023, based on the latest available scientific assessments. These tools include measures such as fishing effort for various types of vessels and catch limits for deep-water shrimp. These measures are part of a multi-year management plan that aims to achieve maximum sustainable yield by 2025.
Most of the fishing opportunities will be determined following the annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in November 2023 and the scientific assessments for demersal stocks scheduled for late October.
The proposal confirms measures for red coral in the Mediterranean, while providing for a gradual reduction in catches of bigeye and deep-water shrimp, in line with GFCM management plans. The proposals for dolphinfish and other stocks will be updated after the annual GFCM session in 2023.
The Adriatic Sea
In the Adriatic Sea, management plans for demersal and small pelagic stocks will continue to be implemented. For the latter, a third transitional year of the plan is proposed. For demersal stocks, the objective will be to achieve maximum sustainable yield by 2026. Final decisions will be taken at the annual GFCM session in 2023.
The Black Sea
In the Black Sea, catch limits and quotas will be set for sprat and turbot. For sprat, it is proposed to maintain the 2023 catch limit. For turbot, total allowable catch (TAC) levels and quotas will be set at the annual GFCM session in 2023. This proposal reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, in line with the 2030 strategy of the GFCM, the regional organisation responsible for the management of fish stocks in these areas.
The proposal will be discussed by the Council on 11 and 12 December, with application foreseen from 1 January 2024.
Fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
