EU leads efforts to harmonize fishing rules across Mediterranean and Black Seas countries

The European Union is taking strong action to protect our seas and ensure fair fishing practices in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, following important progress made at last week’s annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Málaga.

For the first time, the GFCM agreed to introduce a mechanism to monitor and ensure compliance with regional fisheries measures. If regional measures are not respected, the GFCM will require Mediterranean and Black Seas countries to address the identified deficiencies.

The GFCM also agreed to require larger vessels – over 20 metres – to display their international identification number on the vessel’s exterior while fishing in open waters, as proposed by the EU. This facilitates tracking fishing vessels’ activities and ensures that all fishers play by the same rules. This is a major achievement as it promotes a fairer level playing field for all fishers. This agreement will help fight against illegal fishing, which harms fish populations and threatens the livelihoods of all fishers.

Progress in joint management of fish stocks with neighbourhood countries

Mediterranean and Black Seas countries are also making positive progress in managing fish stocks sustainably. A key success story is the work being done in the Adriatic Sea, where joint plans between the EU, Albania and Montenegro are helping manage shared fish stocks, such as sardines, anchovies and demersal species, and improving cooperation between countries. This demonstrates shared ambitions in fish stock conservation from the EU and neighbourhood countries.

Next steps

The EU will now include these GFCM recommendations into law that will guide fishing activities in 2026, which will be adopted at the AGRIFISH Council in December. This will help ensure that fishing remains sustainable and fair for all fishers across the Mediterranean and the Black Seas.

Background

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organisation established under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Its membership comprises the EU, 19 Mediterranean states and four Black Sea states. The meeting took place between 4 - 9 November 2025 in Málaga, Spain.

Aerial view of Nesebar, ancient city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria.©sandsun/stock.adobe.com

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