1. Cape Town, South Africa, 27-28 November 2017
Building International Partnerships to Enhance Science-Based Ecosystem Approaches in Support of Regional Ocean Governance
Cape Town, South Africa, November 2017
Science processes within regional fisheries organizations: Example from the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
Mr abdellah srour (GFCM executive Secretary)

2. The role of the GFCM: Established in 1949 Objective:
To ensure the conservation and sustainable use, at the biological, social, economic and environmental level, of living marine resources
Ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture
Area of application:
The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea
Membership:
24 Contracting Parties: 19 Mediterranean states, 3 Black Sea states, EU and Japan
4 Cooperating non-Contracting Parties: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia,
Moldova and Ukraine
Key functions:
Adopt binding recommendations for fisheries and aquaculture governance
Provide technical assistance and level the playing field

3. Expert groups to produce best-available scientific advice
Subregional approach:
Thematic approach:
Address specific issues of importance to subregions
4 subregional committees (Eastern, Central, Western Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea), to be soon supported by technical units
Working groups and ad hoc workshops on thematic issues:
Stock assessment, Management strategy evaluation, Eel, MPAs, Red Coral, SSF, VMEs, Data collection, Sharks, etc.

4. Compliance, assessment, Inter- governmental bodies
Scientific research: the foundation for decision-making for fisheries management
Scientific research
Regional fisheries scientists (from research institutes, universities, national administrations, etc.) produce scientific research and assessments
Expert groups
Regional experts present research and assessments in expert groups (subregional and thematic) to produce advice
SAC/WGBS
Scientific Advice
National delegates
Decision making
at the Commission
COC
Compliance, assessment,
MCS
Inter- governmental bodies
NGOs
Proposals by CPCs

5. Improving & increasing scientific knowledge: challenges encountered
Need for improved scientific knowledge:
Regional differences in knowledge and expertise on stock status
Only 40% of the landings in the GFCM area of application come from stocks for which scientific advice is provided to the Commission

6. Mid-term strategy
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
TARGET 2
Support livelihoods through sustainable small-scale fisheries
TARGET 3
Curb IUU fishing through a regional plan of action
TARGET 4
Mitigate unwanted interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems
TARGET 5
Enhance capacity-building and cooperation
Why?
Stocks under pressure, need for coordinated regional response
What?
Comprehensive and strategic actions to revert negative trends
Strengthen the foundation for science- based fisheries management through reinforced knowledge
Adopted by the Commission in 2016 as Resolution GFCM/40/2016/2

7. Forum on fisheries science in the Mediterranean and the black sea www
Forum on fisheries science in the Mediterranean and the black sea
Stems from Target 1 of the Mid-term strategy, seeking to better incorporate all scientific knowledge
A forum to build a lasting network, discuss research trends, integrate scientific knowledge in decision-making and identify research priorities for the coming decade.
Interdisciplinary focus, with 3 interrelated themes:
BETTER SCIENCE FOR BETTER ADVICE
Improving knowledge on stock status
Innovative strategies to provide advice
The effectiveness of area based management
HEALTHY SEAS & SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
Addressing climate change as a priority issue
Tackling pressing environmental challenges
The interaction between vulnerable species and human activities
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS & TECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIETAL BENEFIT
Improving knowledge on the social and economic impact of fisheries
Mapping value chains
Marine technology promoting economic and environmental sustainability of fisheries
THEME 1: Better Science for Better Advice
Improving knowledge on stock status
Work to determine stock dynamics
Improvements in stock assessment methodologies
Incorporating estimates of discards and IUU fishing
Innovative strategies to provide advice
Advances in modelling and scenario simulation, including Management Strategy Evaluation
Developing precautionary advice for data limited stocks and fisheries
The effectiveness of area-based management
Parameters for the identification of fisheries restricted areas
THEME 2: Healthy Seas & Sustainable Fisheries
Addressing climate change as a priority issue
Adaptation to climate change in fisheries
Tackling pressing environmental challenges
Non-indigenous species
Marine litter
The interaction between vulnerable species and human activities
Mitigating by-catch and depredation of marine mammals
THEME 3: Economic Analysis & Technology for Societal Benefit
Improving knowledge on the social and economic impact of fisheries
Incorporating Maximum Economic Yield
Economic valuation of recreational fisheries
Mapping value chains
Valuing the post-harvest sectors
Innovations in traceability to counter IUU fishing
Marine technology promoting economic and environmental sustainability of fisheries
GIS and other tools for marine spatial planning
THEMEATIC PANELS:
Promoting stakeholder dialogue: Boosting the science-policy-stakeholder interface
The human impact on fisheries: Effects on marine living resources and ecosystems
The technological future: High-tech advancements in fisheries research, management and fleet modernization (satellite tracking, artificial reefs, fishing devices, etc.)
TRANSVERSAL PANEL:
Identifying research priorities for the coming decade

8. Thank you for your attention
Building International Partnerships to Enhance Science-Based Ecosystem Approaches in Support of Regional Ocean Governance
Cape Town, South Africa, November 2017
Thank you for your attention
Mr abdellah srour (GFCM executive Secretary)