The Black Sea is the world’s largest meromictic basin and a region of striking contrasts. While over 90 percent of the volume of this enclosed sea is devoid of oxygen and cannot sustain complex organisms, its upper layers teem with anchovy shoals, essential turbot stocks and sturgeons tracing ancient migratory routes. These resources and the communities that depend on them are threatened by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The ecological impacts of IUU fishing can be significant, including additional pressure on crucial but potentially vulnerable stocks.
To strengthen regional capacity in combating IUU fishing, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has rolled out a series of initiatives through the GEF-funded.
Fisheries and ecosystem-based management of the Black Sea (FishEBM BS) project
Capacity development in action: fostering cooperation and knowledge sharing
In the Black Sea, countries have long struggled with fragmented enforcement and limited data sharing. While national authorities have made commendable efforts to curb illegal practices, inconsistencies in legal frameworks and technology gaps continue to hinder coordinated action.
To address these challenges, the GFCM is working closely with Black Sea countries to implement a comprehensive programme of workshops, trainings and bilateral support activities – involving fisheries inspectors, legal experts and government officials – across the region. The aim is to strengthen national capacities in fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), and support the development of national plans of action to combat IUU fishing (NPOA-IUU). These activities bring together fisheries inspectors, legal experts and government officials from across the Black Sea region and beyond to enhance the effectiveness of inspections, identify and address gaps in national legal frameworks, and improve cooperation through shared protocols and reporting practices.
https://www.fao.org/iuu-fishing/tools-and-initiatives/quantifying-iuu-fishing/en/
A GFCM training on IUU fishing brought together participants from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to strengthen MCS systems and improve risk assessment approaches.
Photo by FAO-GFCM/Ahmed Silliman.
"The exchange of experiences and best practices with colleagues from across the Mediterranean and Black Sea region underscores the critical role of regional cooperation and coordinated efforts in ensuring sustainable fisheries and effective compliance,"
said Fatih Argun, participant from Türkiye.
A cornerstone of the FishEBM BS project has been the introduction of cutting-edge vessel tracking technologies tailored to the needs of national fleets. In Türkiye, pilot testing of transponder devices has helped identify the most suitable technologies for local operating conditions. This investment is expected to enhance the availability and reliability of data on fishing activities in the Black Sea, improving the understanding of fleet operations and facilitating alignment with spatial and temporal management measures. Importantly, this also includes tracking devices for Türkiye’s vessels authorised to fish in Georgian waters, expanding shared information and supporting coordinated cross-border management.
The FishEBM BS project is built on the understanding that regional challenges demand regional solutions. One illustrative example is the knowledge-sharing effort between Türkiye and Georgia facilitated by the GFCM. Georgian fisheries officers received hands-on support in monitoring small-scale fisheries, drawing from Türkiye’s experience in electronic reporting systems and legal reforms.
"Taking part in the FishEBM BS project, all three beneficiary countries have gained much from strengthened regional cooperation. These knowledge exchange initiatives have played a major role in addressing challenges in the small-scale fisheries sector faced by Turkish and Georgian stakeholders. Recent activities, including training of inspectors, and training on strengthening national legislation, significantly contributed to building trust and enhancing regional fisheries cooperation,"
said Irine Lomashvili, National focal point for Georgia.
Measurable progress: new policies and recovering stocks
In 2025, Georgia, Ukraine and Türkiye took significant strides in the fight against IUU fishing by launching initiatives to develop their NPOA-IUU. Through targeted training sessions, legal experts identified legislative amendments needed to align national frameworks with regional standards and international best practices. At the same time, national inspection agencies actively reviewed and strengthened their monitoring protocols.
According to The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025 (SoMFI 2025), fishing pressure on turbot in the Black Sea has declined by 73 percent since 2013, one of the most substantial reductions recorded in the region. Fishing mortality for the species is now below the level associated with maximum sustainable yield and turbot biomass is on track to exceed biomass relative to maximum sustainable yield in the coming years, reflecting a significant step towards sustainable management. This positive trend reflects years of coordinated management, sustained regional efforts to strengthen compliance strengthened fisheries monitoring and stronger regional compliance.
Average fishing mortality is reaching sustainable levels, proving that effective fisheries management works. The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries, 2025.
Figure by FAO-GFCM.
Beyond numbers, the actions implemented within the framework of the FishEBM projects are contributing to a gradual shift in mindsets, fostering a shared understanding of the value of transparency, data sharing, compliance with regional measures and cooperation in fisheries management. The introduction of practical strategies, such as coordinated monitoring practices and the use of shared digital tools, has strengthened trust and collaboration among authorities, offering a scalable model that could be adapted to other regions facing similar fisheries management challenges.
About the project
The “Fisheries and ecosystem-based management for the Black Sea” project (FishEBM BS) aims to reverse the overexploitation of select commercial living marine resources by enhancing the capacity of Black Sea countries to manage fisheries through the application of ecosystem-based management tools.
The FishEBM BS project is committed to strengthening Black Sea fisheries productivity while ensuring their sustainability. The project encourages a shift toward a more participatory approach to fisheries and a change in thinking in policy and management by both government agencies and stakeholder groups.
For more information, please contact Anna Carlson, anna.carlson@fao.org.
Related content: The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025
Words by Anna Carlson and Nicola Nesi.