The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN-Med) signed a new agreement with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM-FAO) on 19 May, during the 38th session of the Commission, to tighten cooperation on the sustainable use of marine resources.

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to respond to newly emerging challenges affecting the conservation of the Mediterranean Sea and its ecosystems and the sustainable use of marine living resources. It provides a framework of cooperation and understanding to facilitate collaboration on key issues, namely:

• The promotion of ecosystem-based approaches for the conservation of the marine environment and ecosystems and the sustainable use of living marine resources;
• Mitigation of the impact of fisheries and aquaculture activities on marine habitats and species;
• Identification, protection and management of marine areas of particular importance in the Mediterranean;
• Integrated maritime policy; and
• Legal, institutional and policy-related cooperation.

To achieve these objectives, the two organizations will share their experience and expertise through the organization of joint missions, common training activities and information sessions to be prearranged by the parties for the implementation and monitoring of activities carried out under this new MoU.

In recent years, the collaboration between IUCN-Med and the GFCM has been based mainly on the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2008, which was presented at and endorsed by the 32nd Session of the GFCM. This new three-year agreement seeks to establish broader cooperation aimed at harmonizing their activities and avoiding duplication. To this end, IUCN-Med and the GFCM have agreed to hold bilateral consultations on matters of common interest, reaching out to other relevant international organizations and initiatives/projects where appropriate.

For further information, please contact: Antonio Troya

Photo: Sarpa Salpa (c) Andrea Molinari