Málaga, Spain – November 12, 2025 – Following the annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Málaga, the Med Sea Alliance, together with its members Oceana and The Nature Conservancy, welcomes progress on transparency but regrets significant delays in key compliance measures to prevent illegal fishing.

• Greater transparency: Mediterranean countries have agreed to make International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers mandatory for all vessels over 20 metres in length. This measure requires states to ensure that every vessel of this size and above is equipped with a permanent, cost-free identifier, improving traceability and helping to combat illegal fishing. While this step closes some transparency gaps, it still falls short of international best practice, which recommends IMO numbers for vessels over12 metres in length.
• Delays in compliance measures: GFCM member countries decided to postpone until 2028 the full implementation of the compliance mechanism they adopted in 2023. The mechanism was created to ensure member countries effectively implement GFCM decisions, but at last week's meeting countries only agreed to include key measures - such as mandatory data reporting requirements and enforcement provisions - if its full implementation was postponed. This means that the mechanism remains largely ineffective in preventing illegal fishing until 2028.

“The GFCM’s decision to require IMO numbers for vessels from 20 metres is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of delivering true transparency. By rejecting the EU’s original proposal to include vessels from 15 metres and above, Mediterranean countries missed a crucial opportunity to create a level playing field and close loopholes that enable opaque and potentially illegal fishing to continue,” said Helena Álvarez, Senior Marine Scientist at Oceana.

Some progress was made on ongoing initiatives within the regional monitoring framework, such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Portal. However, the GFCM failed to advance discussions on Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM). REM, which combines video cameras, GPS and sensors, could help harmonise data collection across the region, strengthen compliance with fishing rules, and ensure that reliable information is available to guide decisions on Mediterranean fisheries management.

“We were pleased to hear the Commission’s recognition that compliance monitoring is critical for effective fisheries management. We encourage Mediterranean countries to undertake discussions to develop a regional at-sea monitoring program that includes Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) technology” expressed Claire van der Geest, Advisor for The Nature Conservancy.

Additionally the GFCM added a vessel that had engaged in IUU fishing to the GFCM IUU vessel list, namely the vessel Sonia, and we commend the GFCM for taking this step.

The Med Sea Alliance calls on Mediterranean countries to turn these advances into lasting commitments.

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