بيئة أبوظبي وسيلة إعلامية غير ربحية مسؤولية مجتمعية تملكها مجموعة نايا للتميز
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Between Reform Ambitions and the Constraints of Maritime Lobbies
By Mohammed Tafraouti
Between two shores that share history and destiny, the Mediterranean countries gathered in the Spanish city of Málaga to renew their commitments to sustainable fisheries, as part of the 48th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). In a celebratory atmosphere, 24 countries from both sides of the Mediterranean and the European Union, under the umbrella of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), came together to reaffirm their dedication to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Yet behind the diplomatic language and official images disseminated by the GFCM lies a far more complex reality. The balance between economic and environmental sustainability remains skewed, as national interests and industrial pressures redraw the boundaries of the proclaimed “green ambition.”
However, the polished speeches and official images saturating the platforms did not conceal the growing contradiction between environmental ambitions and the strained realities of the sea. The Mediterranean, once the cradle of civilizations, is today experiencing biological and economic depletion driven by intensive fishing practices, industrial lobbies guided solely by market logic, severe pressures from pollution, climate change, habitat loss, mass tourism, and dense maritime traffic. The equation between economic profitability and ecological balance remains fundamentally disrupted.
In this context, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, stated during the meeting that “the GFCM session symbolizes the union of two sister seas that share history, culture, and life, and represents an opportunity to move forward toward sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.” Planas called for “strengthening cooperation among nations to ensure the future of fisheries and fishing communities, where profitability must go hand in hand with sustainability.”
Reforms on Paper or Real Transformations at Sea?
During the 48th session of the GFCM, fifteen proposals were discussed, many of which sought to amend existing recommendations. After a week that many described as long and difficult, the Commission adopted a series of management and compliance measures, including major amendments to the multiannual plan for demersal fisheries in the Strait of Sicily, a new long-term plan for pink spiny lobster in the Alboran Sea, and an update to the regional compliance framework. The key amendments included the gradual implementation of compliance categories, revised catch and effort limits for key species such as hake, deep-water rose shrimp, and pink spiny lobster, the introduction of scientific rules for catch monitoring, strengthened seasonal closures, new minimum fish sizes, and a permanent ban on recreational fishing for some stocks. Collectively, these measures reinforce the Commission’s transition toward a more adaptive and science-driven fisheries governance system.
On the surface, these steps reflect increasing awareness of the danger posed by marine stock depletion. Yet experts point to the slow pace of implementation on the ground, especially given the lack of sufficient human and financial resources in some member states. Some of these recommendations will not become operational until 2027 or even 2028. Measures related to vessel-tracking systems or mandatory international vessel numbers, despite their technical symbolism, do not address the heart of the problem: the persistent overfishing of environmentally sensitive areas, particularly in the Alboran Basin and the Adriatic, from the Strait of Sicily to the Adriatic Sea.
“Regional Cooperation”… A Slogan or a Genuine Commitment?
Among the achievements celebrated by the Commission was the awarding of “full compliance” status to several countries, including Morocco, Algeria, and Turkey. Yet this classification raises questions. Some observers argue that it resembles a political reward reflecting procedural compliance more than actual environmental outcomes. The real challenge does not lie in periodic reports, but in controlling bottom-trawling and dredging practices, which continue to provoke intense scientific and environmental debate due to their damaging impact on marine ecosystems, especially along the North African coastline.
Between “Sustainable Aquaculture” and Expanding Commercial Production
The Commission seeks to promote sustainable aquaculture as a “green alternative” to reducing pressure on natural resources. However, some independent reports view this direction as more market-driven than environmentally motivated, opening the door to private investments that may exacerbate coastal pollution and deepen disparities between rich and poor countries in marine technology.
Ukraine’s Accession… Political Layers in Environmental Clothing
The Commission welcomed Ukraine as a new member, in what was described as a “historic” step. Yet this accession carries political implications, particularly given the geopolitical tensions in the Black Sea. The marine environment is also being used as a diplomatic tool to expand regional influence, rather than being treated purely as a technical issue.
New Governance or Recycling Positions?
The meeting concluded with the announcement of a new executive bureau for the Commission, expected to lead it toward a “more comprehensive vision.” Yet observers note that such changes often remain symbolic rather than substantive, as institutional influence continues to favor countries with strong economic weight in the fisheries sector—weakening the representation of small coastal communities in decision-making.
Toward the 2025 Report: What Reality Lies Behind the Numbers?
The Commission promises to issue a comprehensive report on “The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries,” documenting improvements in biomass and sustainable production. Yet the question remains: do these figures reflect real progress, or merely improved assessment methodologies? A striking paradox emerges, while the Commission speaks of “sustainability successes,” scientists and civil society warn of a “silent environmental exhaustion” resulting from continued trawling, coastal pollution, and weak oversight in some Mediterranean ports. The fundamental question persists: do the numbers reflect the reality of the sea, or simply better measurement methods?
A critical reading of the Málaga conference reveals that marine sustainability in the Mediterranean remains a suspended project, caught between institutional ambition and field realities. Between the optimistic official narrative and scientific facts that sound the alarm, the GFCM appears to be navigating a sea of contradictions: a sea driven by entangled economic interests, powerful fishing lobbies, and coastal communities searching for livelihoods in an environment where resources diminish year after year.
A Voice from Libya… The Challenges of Security and Compliance
Firas Al-Jabri, representative of the Libyan General Authority for Marine Resources, stated to Environmental Horizons, on the sidelines of his participation in the 48th GFCM session, that Libya maintains official records of fishing vessels and their operating licenses, noting that his country regularly cooperates with the Commission in training and monitoring programs.
Al-Jabri said that current security conditions make maritime inspection and monitoring more complex, despite ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of fishing activities. He affirmed that Libya has participated since the establishment of the Commission in its meetings and joint stock studies, giving great importance to its recommendations. He added that this year’s session was marked by the combination of the Compliance Committee meeting and the Commission’s annual session, allowing for constructive discussions addressing the main challenges facing the region’s fisheries sector. He explained that the meetings resulted in a set of decisions and recommendations that serve the fisheries of the Mediterranean, aiming to strengthen the sustainability of marine resources and provide alternative and sustainable income sources for fishers and coastal communities.
He concluded by emphasizing his country’s need for an international support plan, including training programs, modern equipment, and scientific capacity-building to align the national framework with GFCM and International Maritime Organization standards. Libya seeks to develop its marine fisheries sector and enhance sustainability to protect biodiversity and fish stocks through plans and programs in cooperation with the GFCM.
A Critical Moment for a Shared Sea
The GFCM session represents a decisive moment in the collective reflection on the future of this shared sea, which embodies the environmental, economic, and social destiny of its countries. With all the decisions and recommendations presented, the urgent need remains to transform commitments into concrete actions capable of restoring balance to the marine ecosystem and ensuring the sustainability of fish resources for future generations.
This meeting, with its messages and visions, opens the door to broader discussions on marine governance, blue finance, and the role of coastal communities in resource protection. These themes will be central in upcoming monitoring and analysis efforts, aiming to align policies with field realities and build more coherent and equitable Mediterranean cooperation.
The deliberations of the Málaga conference reveal that the future of marine sustainability in the Mediterranean will not be shaped by slogans or recommendations alone, but by the ability of states and institutions to translate commitments into realistic implementation policies that balance economy, environment, and social justice. What is needed today is not more paperwork, but a new model of marine governance grounded in transparency, monitoring, and accountability. Only balanced cooperation between northern and southern Mediterranean countries, along with meaningful participation of coastal communities in decision-making, can open the horizon for a fairer and more sustainable Mediterranean, one in which resources are preserved and the sea’s memory is safeguarded for future generations.
