Fisheries commission to advance aquaculture in the Mediterranean, Black Sea at regional conference

GREECE – The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), in collaboration with the Greek Ministry for Rural Development and Food, will host a pivotal regional aquaculture conference in Heraklion, Greece, from December 4 to 5, 2024. 

This event, financially supported by the European Union, will bring together top officials, country representatives, and aquaculture experts to assess the progress made in the region and tackle emerging challenges in the sector.

This conference marks a decade since the first major regional aquaculture conference in Bari, Italy, and will reflect on the achievements of the past ten years, especially following the 2023 High-Level MedFish4Ever Initiative. 

The conference will feature country representatives reviewing advancements in national and regional aquaculture frameworks and plans. 

This will lead to discussions on a shared vision for sustainable aquaculture that balances sector growth with environmental sustainability.

Key topics will include aquaculture food production systems’ current and future state, strategies for advancing ecological sustainability, and the development of innovative solutions to address climate change and food security. 

Thematic sessions will allow participants to explore these issues, along with a series of side events highlighting artificial intelligence’s importance in aquaculture, women’s promotion in the industry, and small-scale production initiatives.

Live demonstrations of emerging technologies and discussions on unified governance, food security, and responsible investment will enhance the conference. 

Additionally, the event will promote the concept of Blue Transformation—an FAO initiative to foster sustainable aquatic food systems.

The event is open to government officials, international organisations, aquaculture experts, and stakeholders from across the region. Registrations for the conference are open until October 25, 2024.

Advancing GFCM 2030 strategy

This conference will also establish priorities for the GFCM 2030 Strategy, emphasising sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

The GFCM 2030 Strategy for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea provides a unified vision for achieving regional sustainability goals, promoting collaboration to meet national, regional, and global commitments. 

This comprehensive strategy emphasises resilience across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, positioning stakeholders to better respond to global challenges. 

Organised around five key targets, the strategy focuses on integrating research and data to support sustainable fisheries, enforcing compliance to combat illegal fishing, and strengthening aquaculture through governance and community involvement.

 These initiatives aim to bolster biodiversity conservation, enhance resource productivity, and ensure a sustainable approach to managing fisheries.

Each target within the strategy addresses a unique aspect of sustainability. The first target focuses on fostering healthy seas and productive fisheries through research-based conservation, while the second aims to create a level playing field by eradicating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

The third target promotes resilient aquaculture, encouraging local participation and the adoption of innovative technologies. 

The fourth target enhances livelihoods in small-scale fisheries by improving incomes and supporting local management roles. 

Finally, the fifth target emphasises capacity development, enabling GFCM to leverage its diverse partnerships to deliver technical support and establish effective subregional cooperation. 

Collectively, these targets provide a framework for sustainable growth and equitable management across the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.

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