The Republic of Albania is an important player in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the regional fisheries management organisation based in Rome and which counts 23 countries from the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins as members.
The current collaboration is set to become stronger following a bilateral agreement signed between FAO and Albania’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration aimed at strengthening cooperation and technical assistance activities in fisheries and aquaculture.
A letter of agreement was signed by Albanian Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration Edmond Panariti and FAO Deputy Director-General Climate and Natural Resources Maria Helena Semedo.
‘GFCM has just launched a Mid-term strategy (2017-2020) towards sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea,’ said GFCM Executive Secretary Abdellah Srour. ‘Today’s signature represents an important steps to support one of our member countries in strengthening its capacity and working to reach a level playing field with other countries in the region. We believe that this joint work can help in achieving the important targets set for the near future.’
‘This joint commitment is a strong signal that shows a clear and shared willingness to cooperate and achieve common goals for Mediterranean fisheries and aquaculture, and we believe the technical assistance that will be provided by the GFCM will help to strengthen the fisheries sector in Albania.’
He explained that the main co-operation areas identified in the agreement address as priority areas the development of a national fisheries data collection system, the establishment of effective Port State Measures for the fight against IUU fishing, and support to the development of a national strategic plan for sustainable aquaculture.
In expressing his support for closer collaboration, Edmond Panariti expressed confidence that it would contribute to finding appropriate solutions, taking into account the national priorities for the sector. He also stressed Albania’s willingness to implement the measures foreseen by the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures which entered into force on 5 June 2016.
With its Adriatic coastline, fisheries is an important sector for Albania. Currently, aquaculture in Albania includes intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive cultivation techniques in marine, brackish and freshwater environments.
The letter of agreement should allow FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and Albania to strengthen their collaboration in order to build stronger and a more sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector in the Mediterranean.
