FDBusiness.com

The European Commission has reached an important milestone in its objective to save the Mediterranean fish stock and protect the region’s ecological and economic wealth. Months of negotiations at ministerial level have culminated in the signature of the Malta MedFish4Ever Declaration, which sets out a detailed work programme for the next 10 years, based on ambitious but realistic targets. This Declaration, signed by the European Commission, 8 Member States of the EU (Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus) and 7 third countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro) – 80% of the total Mediterranean fleet – is a great success and a sign of political ownership. It is also another contribution by the EU to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Commissioner for Environment, Fishers and Maritime Affairs Karmenu Vella, comments: “We are making history. In signing the Malta MedFish4Ever Declaration, we are affirming our political will to deliver tangible action: on fisheries and other activities that have an impact on fisheries resources, on the blue economy, on social inclusion, and on solidarity between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. I hope that this declaration will come to be seen as a turning point – for a bright future for fishermen, coastal communities and fishing resources alike.”

Commitments made by the signatories include adequate data collection and scientific assessment of the fish stock, multi-annual management plans for all key fisheries, elimination of illegal fishing by 2020 by ensuring a legal framework, as well as control and inspection capacities in the States, and support sustainable small-scale fisheries and aquaculture by streamlining funding schemes for local projects.