MAIN RESULTS
SUMMARY REPORT ON SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEA FISHERIES
This Work Package of the CREAM Project has as main objective to "Coordinate and harmonize data collection, research and management activities carried out by international/regional bodies regarding the EAF implementation in the Mediterranean and Black Seas" With the objective of collecting information on activities carried out by international organizations in relation to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the CREAM project launched a questionnaire asking the representatives of these organizations about their regional research programmes and management actions. In this document the different organizations and their main activities in the field of interest to CREAM and the answers to the questionnaires are presented, including their main worries about the implementation of EAF to the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Among the various international organizations developing activities related to the implementation of EAF in the Mediterranean, some of them recognized gaps, shortcomings and synergies and coordination in data collection, assessment, advice and management. Management is the item where more difficulties were identified. The importance of the cooperation projects funded by EU and EU countries and managed by FAO, as well as several EU research projects, must be highlighted.
The implementation of EAF in the Mediterranean and Black Seas is far from coordinated. Many activities and projects are carried out, some may be redundant and a good deal of overlapping has been identified by the organizations themselves. Although cooperation is very close in some cases, especially the FAO Cooperation Projects and GFCM, in other cases the organizations do not work so closely, for instance regarding MPA implementation.
The limitations identified for the correct application of EAF in the Mediterranean and Black Seas derive, at least partially, from the fact that the organizations are underfunded and understaffed, but also because of the redundancy in their mandates and objectives. Rationalizing the number of actors on the Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries scene and enhancing coordination would help improve the effectiveness of their actions.
