Ukraine participates as a full member in the session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean for the first time
The 48th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has begun in Malaga, Spain. This is a historic moment for Ukraine, as it is the first time that the country is participating in the work of the Commission as a full member after a long-term accession process.
The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky. The delegation also included the head of the State Fisheries Agency, Igor Klymenok.
During the opening of the session, Taras Vysotsky stressed the importance of Ukraine’s accession to the SCRS and its readiness to contribute to the formation of a regional policy on the sustainable use of marine resources:
“This is a historic stage for Ukraine. Full participation in the work of the SCRS opens up new opportunities for the development of fisheries, aquaculture, and the preservation of marine ecosystems of the Black Sea. We are ready to actively participate in the implementation of the Commission’s mission – effective management of bioresources and support for the sustainable development of coastal communities. Ukraine will continue to remain a reliable partner in the protection of the marine environment, countering the consequences of Russian aggression, and adapting to climate change”.
The Ukrainian delegation presented the state’s position on the sustainable management of Black Sea fishery resources, the development of aquaculture, and plans to implement SCRS decisions into national legislation. Ukraine has already implemented 11 decisions of the Commission, partially implemented 21 more, and 9 are in the process of implementation. This indicates significant progress in harmonizing national norms with the provisions of the SCRS.
Special attention was paid during the speech to the consequences of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation for the Ukrainian fisheries sector. Due to the actual cessation of fishing in the Azov-Black Sea basin and security risks in inland waters, the volume of catches decreased by more than 65% compared to 2021. According to FAO, direct and indirect losses to the industry in 2022 alone exceeded 47 million US dollars.
The consequences of the Kakhovka HPP explosion were particularly highlighted – direct losses to the fisheries sector are estimated at over 10 billion hryvnias, and losses to sturgeon farms exceed 1 billion hryvnias.
Taras Vysotsky also emphasized that Ukraine’s accession to the GKRS is an important step towards integration into the European space of sustainable nature management and part of preparation for membership in the European Union. According to him, Ukraine seeks not only to adapt legislation to European standards, but also to actively participate in the formation of regional fisheries policy.
The work of the General Fisheries Commission in the Mediterranean will continue until November 9. During the session, participants will consider the introduction of new fisheries and aquaculture management measures in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the development of scientific and research cooperation for monitoring the state of biological resources, the digitalization of data collection and reporting, and the creation of sustainable mariculture models, including in Ukrainian waters of the Black Sea.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is an intergovernmental body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which brings together 24 countries and the European Union. Its goal is to promote the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture, the conservation of marine resources and the enhancement of food security in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Ukraine received full member status in 2025.
