Recovery for Fish Stocks, Aquaculture Strengthens Food Security
Rome: For decades, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have been a paradox: cradle of rich maritime traditions and vital coastal livelihoods, yet historically overexploited and ecologically fragile.
Today, the latest State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) signals cautious optimism. While sustainability challenges persist, overfishing has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, and aquaculture has emerged as a critical pillar feeding regional populations and supporting livelihoods.
Drawing on contributions from more than 700 regional experts, the report demonstrates that science-driven management and regional cooperation are yielding tangible results. Between 2013 and 2023, fishing pressure was cut by half, and the biomass of key commercial species rose by 25 per cent. The improvements are evident in flagship stocks: red mullet and giant red shrimp show significant reductions in fishing mortality; common sole in the Adriatic has enjoyed a 42 per cent decline in fishing pressure and a 64 per cent increase in biomass since 2019; turbot in the Black Sea has seen an 86 per cent reduction in mortality and an astonishing 310 percent increase in biomass since 2013. These data reflect the efficacy of targeted interventions such as management plans, fisheries restricted areas, and research initiatives that the GFCM has coordinated over the last decade.
Yet, the picture is not uniformly positive. Sardine stocks remain overexploited, and European hake shows only modest recovery, reflecting both ecological variability and the limits of management. Overall, 52 per cent of assessed stocks are still overfished, a notable improvement from 87 per cent a decade ago, but far from ideal for resilient ecosystems. Structural challenges persist, including inconsistent compliance, ageing fishers, unequal profitability, discards, and incidental catches of vulnerable species concentrated in ecological “hot spots.”
Amid these constraints, aquaculture is emerging as a transformative force. Marine and brackish aquaculture now produces 940,000 tonnes of aquatic foods, representing more than 45 per cent of regional output, and generating $5.2 billion in value while directly employing 113,000 people. When freshwater farming is included, the total rises to nearly 3 million tonnes of aquatic food worth $9.3 billion, feeding more than a million livelihoods across the region. Growth is concentrated: just 11 species account for 99 per cent of production, led by gilthead seabream (34.5 per cent) and European seabass (29.7 per cent), while eight countries, including Türkiye, Egypt, and Greece, account for over 95 per cent of farmed output.
The expansion of aquaculture is more than an economic story; it is a strategic lever for regional food security, poverty alleviation, and coastal development. But rapid growth brings new challenges. Environmental sustainability, biosecurity, animal welfare, regulatory coherence, and social acceptance must all be actively managed to avoid the pitfalls of ecological degradation or social conflict. Stakeholders, from policy-makers to producers, now face the task of ensuring that aquaculture development is responsible, inclusive, and resilient.
Looking ahead, demand for aquatic foods is projected to rise, driven by growing populations and shifting dietary preferences. The report estimates that production will need to increase by 14–29 per cent by 2050 merely to maintain current per capita consumption across the region. Meeting this demand will require continued investment in sustainable fisheries management, responsible aquaculture practices, and innovative technologies that optimise productivity without compromising ecosystem health.
“This decade has shown that targeted, evidence-based interventions can reverse negative trends in marine ecosystems, but the work is far from over,” said Manuel Barange, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Maintaining momentum will be crucial to conserve biodiversity, strengthen livelihoods, and ensure the region’s food security — a goal we refer to as the Blue Transformation.”
The report also underscores the importance of policy frameworks, multilateral coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Initiatives such as MedFish4Ever and the Sofia Declarations demonstrate the value of binding commitments and cross-border cooperation, yet continuous adaptation is required as environmental, economic, and social pressures evolve. Milena Mihaylova, Head of Unit for Fisheries Management at the European Commission, emphasised that “stronger collaboration and continuous action are still needed to ensure long-term sustainability, also at the social and economic levels.”
In essence, the SoMFi 2025 report charts a transitional moment. Fisheries are on a recovery trajectory, overfishing is declining, and aquaculture is feeding more people than ever. Yet the twin challenges of sustaining marine biodiversity and scaling responsible aquaculture remain urgent. The Mediterranean and Black Sea are proving grounds for a broader global lesson: science-driven management, regional collaboration, and strategic integration of traditional fisheries with modern aquaculture can secure food, livelihoods, and ecosystems — if vigilance and commitment do not waver.
– global bihari bureau
