Mediterranean Sea

Streamlining biodiversity and climate change into fisheries management within an international context

The Mediterranean Sea basin, stretching across EU and non-EU nations, must integrate climate and biodiversity targets into fisheries management. Multiple policies—from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and MSFD to the Biodiversity Strategy—need to align despite different jurisdictions. This case study assesses how effectively these frameworks align and whether regional plans genuinely incorporate environmental goals, ultimately guiding fisheries toward sustainability.

 

CASE STUDY LEAD PARTNER

Sašo Gorjanc

Project Manager Ocean Policy & Governance s.gorjanc(at)acteon-environment.eu

Med sea 3

RECENT NEWS

QUICK FACTS

Objective

Evaluation of the extent of integration of climate change and biodiversity objectives into fisheries management at the scale of the whole Mediterranean

Synergies between EU and international agreements and laws

Policy focus

CFP, MSFD, Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, EcAp, GFCM, ICCAT, Nature Directives, SPA/BD Protocol 

Geographic focus

Mediterranean regional sea

Stakeholders

PAP/RAC, Plan Bleu, MedPAN, FAO, WWF MedPo, GFCM, Union for the Mediterranean,SPA/RAC, UNEP/MAP, IUCN Med, Oceana, Shark Trust, MEDAC, DG ENV, DG MARE

Strategic impact assessment

Not applicable

Environmental impact assessment

Not applicable

Planning

Planning assessments at the level of the entire Mediterranean region (not focusing on particular countries, but including the entire region, both EU and non-EU states) 

GFCM Recommendations and Decisions, SPA/BD Action Plans and Recommendations, ICCAT Decisions, Habitats and Birds Directives protected species and habitats, CFP regulations 

Implementation

Given the scale of the basin (22 states, only 8 of them in the EU), implementation of particular policies is not studies, only their integration at international levels