GFCMs

GFCMs refers to the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. It is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established by an international convention in 1949 and operating under the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The GFCM's primary objective is to ensure the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

The GFCM brings together Contracting Parties, which include Mediterranean and Black Sea coastal states, as well as countries with significant fishing interests in the region. Its work involves the collection and analysis of fisheries data, the formulation of management measures, and the promotion of cooperation among its members. These management measures can include quotas, fishing effort limitations, technical regulations on gear and fishing practices, and the establishment of marine protected areas.

The organization aims to conserve living marine resources and to promote the development of the fisheries sector in a manner that is environmentally sound and economically viable. The GFCM plays a crucial role in coordinating conservation and management efforts across different national jurisdictions, addressing challenges such as overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. It operates through various technical committees and working groups that address specific fisheries and ecological issues.