Enhancing Collaboration and Capacity Building for Mediterranean Fisheries Management
Fisheries scientists and managers from across the Near East and North Africa convened in Alexandria, Egypt, for a regional workshop to strengthen cooperation and enhance capacity for responsible fisheries management in the Mediterranean basin.
The three-day event, supported by the GEF-funded FAO Common Oceans Tuna Project and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical tools required to evaluate and implement management procedures (MPs), also referred to as “harvest strategies.” These approaches were presented as essential components of long-term, science-based fisheries management, supporting the sustainable use of marine resources and the conservation and rebuilding of fish stocks in international waters.
Capacity Building in Modern Fisheries Management
Hosted by Egypt’s Lakes and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency (LFRPDA), the workshop provided participating scientists, fisheries managers, and stakeholders with practical experience in applying the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) framework. This computer-based modelling approach was used to assess how different management options perform against agreed objectives, enabling participants to better understand the implications of alternative decision pathways. Particular emphasis was placed on translating complex scientific analyses into clear, actionable guidance to support fisheries management decisions.
Before the in-person sessions, participants completed the FAO e-learning course series Management Procedures for Sustainable Tuna Fisheries, ensuring a shared foundational understanding of key concepts and methodologies. This preparatory work facilitated more effective engagement during the workshop.
The programme was delivered by experts from FAO, the GFCM, and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), who led technical presentations, facilitated discussions, and guided hands-on exercises. The agenda included tailored sessions for both scientists and managers, reflecting their complementary roles within the MSE process and supporting a coordinated, science-based approach to fisheries management.
Supporting Sustainable Fisheries in a Changing Ocean
The implementation of management procedures (MPs) has already contributed to measurable improvements in fisheries management in several regions worldwide. Their increasing importance coincides with a critical period for ocean governance, as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement entered into force in January 2026, underscoring the need for rigorous, science-based approaches to managing marine resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
By enhancing technical capacity at the regional level, the Alexandria workshop sought to support Mediterranean countries in the development and application of effective fisheries management plans. These efforts aim to safeguard fish stocks, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support the livelihoods and economic activities of communities that depend on marine resources.
A Collaborative Effort
The workshop was organized by The Ocean Foundation (TOF), a partner of the FAO Common Oceans Tuna Project, in collaboration with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), with funding from the European Union. Additional financial support was provided by Oceankind, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, while technical contributions were made by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
The Common Oceans Tuna Project, led by FAO and financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), brings together the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), along with scientific institutions, governments, civil society, and the private sector. The project’s objective is to promote responsible, efficient, and sustainable tuna fisheries while conserving marine biodiversity in the context of a changing ocean environment.
The GFCM is a regional fisheries management organization operating within the FAO framework, with a mandate covering all marine waters of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Its core mission is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources and to promote the sustainable development of aquaculture. The Commission’s membership includes 24 contracting parties and five cooperating non-contracting parties.
For further information regarding this initiative, please contact:
FAO Common Oceans Program
Communications Consultant (Rome)
Maria Di Marino
Maria.dimarino@fao.org
FAO Common Oceans Program
Program Support Specialist
Ghada Souilah
Ghada.Souilah@fao.org
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
