Data made available by the European Commission’s Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) indicates that 20% of Western Mediterranean stocks are being harvested sustainably – at maximum sustainable yield, and the region’s multi-annual management plan for demersal fish stocks and fisheries is showing positive results.
When tough measures were introduced in 2019, the aims were to achieve sustainable fishing levels for 20 stocks by January 2025 and to address the problem of structural overcapacity of the Mediterranean fleet. This started with a five-year transition period for the fleet to adapt to new management measures, with the objective of limiting the social and economic impact.
According to the European Commission, the plan’s management tools have increased transparency in fisheries management in the Western Mediterranean. The Western Mediterranean fleet showed high profitability in 2023, according to recent economic data. The fleet’s positive economic performance was mainly due to high first sale prices and restrained fuel costs.
Member States also received support for the plan implementation with funding for the sector through the European Maritime Fisheries Fund and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund as Spain, France, Italy supported their fishing sectors in a shift from traditional and limited effort management at national level to a more efficient EU fisheries management system.
The multi-annual management plan for demersal stocks in Western Mediterranean Sea is the first and only EU management plan in the Mediterranean Sea where most stocks are under shared management with non-EU countries.
The plan covers fisheries for species in Spanish, French and Italian waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
According to the Annual Economic Report (AER) of 2023 more than 4300 fishers and over 1200 trawlers are active in the western Mediterranean Sea, including both the demersal coastal and deep-water sectors. During the plan’s transition period, a fishing effort regime for trawlers was introduced to achieve an overall reduction of 40% of fishing effort within five years.
In December 2021, based on scientific advice, the Council introduced an approach that combines effort measures for both trawlers and longliners and catch limits for deep-water shrimps. In 2022, the Fishing Opportunities Council Regulation introduced a new compensation mechanism for trawlers. This mechanism is designed to encourage trawlers to use more selective gear and to fish in areas that avoid juveniles and spawners. The mechanism was further implemented in the 2023 and 2024 Fishing Opportunities Regulations.
2025 marks the end of the initial five-year transition period that allowed the fleet to gradually adapt to the new measures. As a result, from January 2025, all provisions of the Western Mediterranean plan will apply to achieve and maintain fishing at sustainable levels for all stocks covered by the plan.
