Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Mediterranean and Black Sea Aquaculture

Abstract

Aquaculture is fast growing sector in the Mediterranean and the Black sea region contributing to food security, employment and economic growth. According to FAO-FIGIS figures, overall aquaculture production in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions (including all species of animal origin and aquatic environments) reached over 2 643 000 tonnes in 2016.  The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)[1] of FAO, has reported that according to some national aquaculture strategies, by 2030 aquaculture production in the Mediterranean and the Black sea countries is expected to reach 4 600 000 tonnes².

Undoubtably, several challenges need to be addressed to insure the development of environmentally, economically and socially sustainable aquaculture in the region. These challenges include inter alia spatial planning and site allocation for aquaculture, legal aspects and licensing, aquaculture-environment interactions, bio-security and aquatic animal health management, social acceptability, information sharing and dissemination, scientific and technical collaborations, RTD and innovation and issues related to consumers wants and markets.  All these issues need to be dealt through a collective and regional approach.

[1] The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the FAO is the Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) mandated to ensure the conservation and sustainable use, at the biological, social, economic and environmental level, of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.”

 Development of sustainable aquaculture at regional level has been top on the agenda of GFCM. Acknowledging this growing trend and in line with its mandate, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has recently adopted Resolution GFCM/41/2017/1 on a “Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Mediterranean and Black Sea Aquaculture”. This integrated regional aquaculture strategy is the fruit of extensive consultations that were held as part of a co construction process. The aim was to secure equal terms of competition and discuss minimum common criteria in order to address cross-cutting and transboundary issues in relation to aquaculture in Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries. By facilitating cooperative processes and fostering synergies, the strategy should help the sector deliver its full potential by 2030².

Keywords

• FAO-FIGIS,mediterranean,black sea,aquaculture

References

1. http://www.fao.org/gfcm/en/