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Strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea Aquaculture

Year of publication 2018

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 20 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Aquaculture is a flourishing industry which plays a key role in Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries, under a blue growth perspective. According to current trends in aquaculture production and to some national aquaculture strategies, the production of farmed seafood is expected to substantially increase in the region over the next decades. This calls for a careful planning in order to ensure the long term social, economic and environmental sustainability of the sector. In light of emerging global challenges, the international community has been involved for decades in a common endeavour in favour of sustainable development and cooperation. The 1995 Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and, more recently, the 2016 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are two milestones of this widespread mobilization. In the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the need to promote blue growth and develop sustainable aquaculture to ensure food security has been reiterated on several occasions. Acknowledging this growing trend and in line with its mandate, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean has recently adopted Resolution GFCM/41/2017/1 on a strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture. This regional strategy has been developed as part of an extensive consultation process. It envisages a future for Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture where a level playing field is achieved and the promotion of the sector is ensured so that it is more competitive, sustainable, productive, profitable and equitable. It is expected that it will help Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries in formulating harmonized aquaculture activities and action plans, paying special attention to current priorities and specificities at the local, national, subregional and regional level. Based on three targets and associated outputs and activities, the strategy will be implemented as part of a process that is consistent with national and supranational aquaculture strategies in Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries.

Language English

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