Rome: Overfishing in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea has dropped to its lowest level in 10 years, according to a new biennial report released Friday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
According to Anadolu Agency, the report was issued by FAO's General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and highlights that although fisheries sustainability in these regions remains a concern, the percentage of overfished stocks has significantly reduced. This milestone aligns with the rapid expansion of aquaculture as a major source of aquatic foods in the area.
The 2025 State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries (SoMFi) report evaluated 120 stocks from 2013 to 2023, revealing a sharp decline in fishing mortality and a 25% increase in the biomass of assessed commercial species. Fishing pressure has decreased by half over the past decade, allowing several key stocks to start recovering.
The report indicated that the share of assessed stocks considered overfished has fallen to 52%, down from 87% a decade ago. Despite this progress, the levels are still above those necessary for a healthy ecosystem. Additionally, marine and brackish aquaculture now represent more than 45% of the region's aquatic food output, reaching 940,000 tonnes in 2023. Together, fisheries and aquaculture produced 2.06 million tonnes of aquatic foods.
Manuel Barange, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, noted that while stock levels are not yet optimal, they are beginning to recover due to science-driven management and stakeholder engagement. Responsible aquaculture is also playing a key role in meeting future aquatic food demand.
The report further elaborated that when freshwater production is included, aquaculture in the region produces nearly 3 million tonnes of aquatic food, generating $9.3 billion. It emphasized that eight countries are responsible for 95.5% of the region's farmed aquatic food, with Trkiye, Egypt, and Greece leading the production. Consequently, aquaculture has emerged as the region's fastest-growing source of aquatic food, contributing significantly to food security and coastal livelihoods.