Algeria has been awarded the Compliance Prize by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), due to advancements in combating illegal maritime fishing, according to an organization’s statement.
This award was given to Algeria at the conclusion of the 47th annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), which took place in Rome, Italy, from November 4th to 8th, 2024, with participation from 20 countries and the European Union (EU). The focus of the session was on enhancing the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture.
Algeria received this Prize along with the European Union and five other countries for revising its national legislation to target illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as well as for implementing the regional action plan against this phenomenon.
Regarding the outcomes of this annual session, the same press release mentioned the adoption of 17 crucial decisions, including 12 binding recommendations aimed at shaping the future of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Mediterranean region towards sustainability. These decisions include the creation of new protected fishing areas and a network to monitor aquatic diseases to minimize risks from trade.
It’s worth noting that the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean is a regional fisheries organization affiliated with the FAO, with the authority to issue binding recommendations concerning the development of fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
