1. Addressing sustainable development by enhancing Black Sea fisheries
Panel 2b: Fish well; Conference on blue economy in the Black Sea (15 Sept, Batumi)
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean

2. The role of fisheries in a Black Sea Blue Economy context:
Fisheries & aquaculture
Maritime equipment & ports
Shipbuilding & repair
Renewable energy
Offshore energy
Maritime & coastal tourism
Maritime transport
Approx economic impact of US$ 2 billion
Sustain vulnerable coastal communities
Provide livelihoods
Ensure food security
Ripple effect to other sectors: important for tourism and restaurant industries
Local ecological knowledge
Maintain cultural traditions

3. Main challenges for Black Sea fisheries
Address decreasing and fluctuating catches
Mitigate pollution and the effect of alien species
Decrease incidental catches of vulnerable species
Improve cooperation between riparian states
Main challenges for Black Sea fisheries

4. The functioning of the GFCM in the region
Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries
Proposals by Member States
SAC
Decision making
at the Commission
Compliance assessment
COC
Working Group on the Black Sea
WGBS
Since the establishment of the WGBS (2012):
Increased involvement of riparian states
Improved advice on the status of stocks
Enhanced cooperation with other organizations active in the region
Increasing adoption of dedicated recommendations specific for the region

5. The Bucharest Declaration (Oct. 2016)
Strategic view
MID-TERM
FISHERIES STRATEGY
( )
Improve, by
2020, the sustainability
of Mediterranean and
Black Sea
fisheries
TARGET 1
Reverse the declining trend of fish stocks through strengthened scientific advice in support of management
TARGET 2
Support livelihoods for coastal communities through sustainable small-scale fisheries
TARGET 3
Curb IUU fishing through a regional plan of action
TARGET 4
Minimize and mitigate unwanted interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems and environment
TARGET 5
Enhance capacity-building and cooperation
The Bucharest Declaration (Oct. 2016)

6. Objectives of the Bucharest Declaration
Strengthen collection of data (biological, economic and scientific) for Black Sea fisheries and ecosystems
Enhanced cooperation in scientific and technical work, including among national institutes of riparian countries
Periodical stock assessment of Black Sea iconic commercial species (e.g. turbot, anchovy, etc.)
Organization of technical workshops and working groups on selected issues open also to stakeholders (e.g. industry)
Increased efforts to stop unfair competition due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU)
Boosting aquaculture (promote the role of national markets and increase the value of Black Sea farmed products)

7. The BlackSea4Fish project: Implementing the Bucharest Declaration
The BlackSea4Fish project will set up and maintain a cooperative and technical regional network, including fishing associations in the region, to support the sustainable development of the fishing industry in the Black Sea
Participatory approach: government officials, scientists, experts in fisheries management, NGOs and industry can be involved in the work of the project
Expected outcomes:
Improved advice in support of decision making, including through biological data collection, socio-economic surveys, etc.
Execution of joint surveys at sea
Assessment of IUU fishing
Implementation of a bycatch monitoring programme

8. Thank you for your kind attention
GFCM Secretariat - September 2017
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean