Memorandum of Cooperation between the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers and the World Conservation Union

In February 2005, the IUCN signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP). By bringing conservation closer to the business world, it is hoped to ensure high quality standards in food production, while respecting both environmental considerations and consumer demand. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in identifying the environmental issues that arise in the course of the development and management of aquaculture in the Mediterranean region. It also promotes best environmental management practices for a responsible aquaculture that follows principles of sustainable development.

Novel forms of partnerships, including private sector engagement, is promoted to support equitable access to resources and the achievement of conservation goals.

Tools for the sustainable management of the Mediterranean aquaculture industry are developed

Resolution in favour of prohibiting fishing in waters below 1000 metres

In late February, the main intergovernmental decision-making body on fishing in the Mediterranean, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), resolved to call a halt to fishing activities in deep waters below 1000 metres on the basis of scientific considerations. This strong measure was the result of a comprehensive study on the state of deep water fishing in the Mediterranean carried out by the IUCN and the WWF. The study had been discussed in extensive consultation with regional specialists, including the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM, acronym in French) at several workshops held over previous months. The resolution came into force in September 2005. Members of the GFCM are: Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Slovenia, Spain, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

This resolution is being seen as a unique example in the world of conservation of the deep-sea. IUCN-Med presented the resolution along with other activities relating to the management of Mediterranean marine protected areas at the 1st International Marine Protected Areas Congress, held in Australia in October 2005. In additional, during the biennial meeting promoted by the Fondation Total pour la Biodiversité et la Mer held at Porquerolles (October 2005), IUCN-Med organised a workshop on the problems of the Mediterranean deep-sea.

Knowledge concerning Mediterranean biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources is improved and communicated and their conservation promoted, including in the Deep and High Seas.

Governance of Mediterranean marine ecosystems (including the high seas) is improved.

Multi-country / transboundary actions for biodiversity conservation are supported

Assessment of the state of aquaculture in the Mediterranean

On 25 - 27 June 2005, the IUCN's Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation and the NGO Mouvement Ecologique Algérien organised a joint workshop at Sidi Feruch (Algeria) on the sustainable development of Mediterranean aquaculture. Its main objective was to address the major issues on which the future of aquaculture depends through opening dialogues with the Algerian aquaculture sector, principally producers, investors, politicians and institutional circles in general. The workshop took the form of a series of case studies, and its conclusions will be extremely valuable for all Mediterranean countries involved in aquaculture production. The document containing the main recommendations is available in French, English and Spanish.

The main recommendations of the Algerian workshop were presented at several forums, including the Conference of Spanish Aquaculture Producers (Vigo, September 2005) and the General Assembly of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (Hydra, May 2005). They were also presented during participation in the 'Consensus' Project led by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS), whose purpose is to draw up indicators for sustainable aquaculture. Further development of lines of action on diverse aspects of sustainable aquaculture (environmental impact studies, etc) is envisaged, as is the development of projects for cooperation in the Mediterranean area with the FAO's General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.

Se desarrollan herramientas para la gestión sostenible de la industria pesquera en el Mediterráneo.

Se impulsan nuevas formas de colaboración, incluyendo vínculos con el sector privado, para respaldar el acceso equitativo a los recursos y la consecución de los objetivos de conservación