GENERAL FISHERIES COMMISSION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN (GFCM) Training Workshop on site selection, allocated zones for aquaculture and site management for coastal marine aquaculture(wgsc-shocmed) 1 Atelier de formation sur la sélection des sites, les zones affectées à l aquaculture et la gestion des sites pour l aquaculture marine côtière (WGSC-SHoCMed) M diq (Morocco) - 4-7 février 2013 www.gfcm.org GFCM - Palazzo Blumenstihl, Via Vittoria Colonna 1-00193, Rome, Italy - Tel: +390657054055
AQUACULTURE (**) VERSUS CAPTURE FISHERIES (*) Capture fisheries reached a plateau in 1990 (a maximums in 1995), AVG (average growth annual rate) was about 0.36 %, during the same period its stagnating situation (1990-2010) Aquaculture average annual growth rate for the same period (1990-2010) was about 5 %. The maximum in AVG was reached during the 1995-2000 when the AVG was about 9 % (*) Capture fisheries production is referred to the GFCM statistical area (**) Marine and Brackish aquaculture is referred to the GFCM countries (aquaculture from Atlantic areas excluded.
CMSC SCSA SCMEE SCSI SCESS WGVMS Budget About Funct Area Org Com SAC CAQ CoC CAF www.gfcm.org CMWG WGAM WGSA WGSCC SIPAM The Agreement for the establishment of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO constitution, was approved by the FAO Conference in 1949 and entered into force in 1952. Albania Algeria Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus European Union Egypt France Greece Israel Italy Japan Lebanon Libya Malta Monaco Montenegro Morocco Romania Slovenia Spain Syria Tunisia Turkey In cooperation with other Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), the GFCM is instrumental in coordinating efforts by governments to effectively manage fisheries at regional level following the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Consisting of 24 members, including the European Union as a regional economic organization, the GFCM s objectives are to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and connecting waters. Membership is open to both Mediterranean coastal states and regional economic organizations as well as to United Nations member states whose vessels engage in fishing in Mediterranean waters. FAO-GFCM 2010
CMSC SCSA SCMEE SCSI SCESS WGVMS Budget About Funct Area Org Com SAC CAQ CoC CAF www.gfcm.org Objectives to promote: development, conservation, rational management of living marine resources best utilization of living marine resources sustainable development of aquaculture principal Functions CMWG WGAM WGSA WGSCC SIPAM to coordinate efforts by governments to effectively manage fisheries at regional level following the CCRF; to assemble, publish or disseminate information regarding exploitable living marine resources and fisheries based on these resources; to promote programmes for marine and brackish water aquaculture and coastal fisheries enhancement; to play a key role in fisheries governance in the Region Mediterranean, Black Sea and connecting water has the authority to adopt binding recommendations for fisheries conservationand management in its Convention Area FAO-GFCM 2010
Overcoming site selection limiting factors Need for harmonized regulatory and monitoring frameworks, especially in relation to environmental impact assessment (EIA) and site selection procedures Marine aquaculture development should be considered within the context of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) Proper and harmonised regional guidelines for aquaculture site selection and management are key priority Improved spatial planning system and aquaculture zoning by allocate specific zones for aquaculture Develop and implement an effective environmental monitoring programme for aquaculture
Aquaculture development: some issues Acceptability of aquaculture products / market competition Environment-aquaculture interactions and impacts Capture fisheries-aquaculture interactions General lack of regulatory and legal frameworks Cumbersome leasing and licensing procedures Lack of criteria for the implementation of aquaculture activities at sea Key limiting factors Availability of suitable areas for aquaculture with sufficient environmental carrying capacity Competition and conflicts with other coastal users
COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE (CAQ) Monitor trends and promote the sustainable development and responsible management of marine and brackish water aquaculture in the region, and provide independent advice on the technical, socio-economic, legal and environmental issues: : assess information provided by Members and relevant aquaculture related stakeholders or programmes on production statistics, market data, culture systems, technologies used, farmed species, and maintain related databases, including relevant socio-economic, environmental, biotic and abiotic indicators; promote the formulation of common standards and guidelines on sustainable development and responsible management of aquaculture; identify cooperative research and training programmes and coordinate their implementation; carry out other duties, functions or responsibilities related to aquaculture promotion as be conferred by the Commission. CAQ operates through four subsidiary bodies WGSA WGSC WGMA SIPAM Working Group on Sustainability on Aquaculture Working Group on Site Selection and Carrying Capacity Working Group on Marketing of aquaculture products Information System for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM)
WGSC Working Group on Site Selection and Carryng Capacity ShocMed ShocMed : Developing siting and carrying capacity guidelines for Mediterranean aquaculture within aquaculture appropriate areas (operative since October 2008) (*) aims : to produce criteria for enhancing the integration of aquaculture in ICZM by improving site selection and holding capacity benchmarks and reference points. ShocMed will also provide a base for harmonisation of regional standards and as appropriate aquaculture policy and legal frameworks across the Mediterranean, ensuring equal term of competition and minimal environmental impact. (*) with the support of EC contribution
CAQ - Working Group on Site Selection and Carrying Capacity Promoting Allocated Zone for Aquaculture Developing site selection criteria and guidelines for integration of aquaculture within the coastal areas; Carrying capacity assessment Harmonized environmental monitoring programme Aquaculture development and Integrated Coastal Zone Management SHOCMED GFCM - Project funded with the contribution of European Commission (EC) DG Mare http://www.faosipam.org/?pag=content/_showportal&portal=shocmed
WGSC Working Group on Site Selection and Carryng Capacity During the first period of activities of SHoCMed focused on defining criteria and identifying priorities to improve the knowledge and reviewing extensively the scientific body of knowledge available on site selection and carrying in Mediterranean; o better understanding of the existing legal framework on site selection procedures in Mediterranean countries. This also permitted to identify knowledge gaps and priorities issues to be addressed oa) Review and make synthesis of Mediterranean experience on Allocated Zones for Aquaculture; b) Review technical and legal procedures applied within the different coastal areas and related to the AZA; o The Principles for the establishment of Allocated Zones for Aquaculture (AZA) in the Mediterranean countries was prepared based on the work carried out by the experts of the Working Group of Site Selection and Carrying Capacity (WGSC) of the Committee of Aquaculture of the GFCM.
WGSC Working Group on Site Selection and Carryng Capacity EQS: the lack of specific Environmental Quality Standards for monitoring environment surrounding aquaculture facilities and corresponding to precise and stated Environmental Quality Objectives (EQO). EMP: he monitoring of the activities of finfish marine aquaculture is essential to evaluate the effects and interaction of aquaculture on the environment and on aquaculture itself. The selected EQS variables for an EMP environmental monitoring programme should at least include the following: (a) Total Organic Matter in Sediments (%); (b) Total Nitrogen in Sediments (%); (c) Redox Potential Eh (mv); (d) Percentage of Capitellid polychaetes over macrofaunal biomass (%); (e) Gas bubbles; (f) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l); (g) Turbidity (m); (h) Percentage of silt/clay in sediments (%); and (i) Litter surrounding area.
Key decisions and endeavors undertaken by the GFCM RESOLUTION GFCM/36/2012/2 on the Allocation of Zones for Aquaculture (guidelines ) omitted.. DESIRING to promote in the GFCM area of competence the establishment of AZAs as a management tool for marine spatial planning; omitted.. ADOPTS, in conformity with the provision of of Article III paragraph 1 (h) of the GFCM Agreement, that: Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-contracting Parties of the GFCM (hereafter referred to as CPCs) shall include in their national marine spatial planning strategy of aquaculture development and management schemes for the identification and allocation of specific zones reserved for aquaculture activities
RESOLUTION GFCM/36/2012/2 on the Allocation of Zones for Aquaculture (guidelines ) omitted...1 Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-contracting Parties of the GFCM (hereafter referred to as CPCs) shall include in their national marine spatial planning strategy of aquaculture development and management schemes for the identification and allocation of specific zones reserved for aquaculture activities 2 AZAs shall comprise specific areas dedicated to aquaculture activities, and any future development thereof and their identification shall be based on the best social, economic and environmental information available in order to prevent conflicts among different users for increased competitiveness, sharing costs and services and to assure investments. 3 AZAs shall be established within the remit of local or national aquaculture plans of CPCs with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture development and of promoting equity and resilience of interlinked social and ecological systems..continue
RESOLUTION GFCM/36/2012/2 on the Allocation of Zones for Aquaculture (guidelines ) 4. AZAs shall be established within the framework of ICZM, with regulations and/or restrictions being assigned to each zone in accordance with their degree of suitability for aquaculture activities and carrying capacity limit. 5 The zoning process for the establishment of AZAs shall follow a participatory approach, be transparent, coordinated by the main authority responsible for marine planning at local level and carried out in cooperation with the different authorities involved in the aquaculture licensing and leasing procedures and monitoring. The coordination of competences among the different public authorities involved in aquaculture licensing and leasing procedures and monitoring shall be ensured at national level. 6 Zones to be allocated to aquaculture activities shall be classified, inter alia, as, areas suitable for aquaculture activities, areas unsuitable for aquaculture activities and areas for aquaculture activities with particular regulation and/or restriction ; guidelines shall be developed to this end;
RESOLUTION GFCM/36/2012/2 on the Allocation of Zones for Aquaculture (guidelines ) 7 AZAs, once established, shall be based on legal and regulatory provisions integrated into the national legislation or other adequate national administration level and on interministerial coordination in order to ensure their effective implementation. 8 For every AZA, an allowable zone of effect of aquaculture activities could be defined in the close vicinity of each farm. Such zone shall be accompanied by a Environmental Monitoring Programme. 9 The Environmental Monitoring Programme shall be flexible and adaptable, taking into account scale (time and space) approach, and monitoring shall be mandatory.
Key decisions and endeavors undertaken by the GFCM RESOLUTION GFCM/36/2012/2 on the Allocation of Zones for Aquaculture (guidelines ) GFCM 1 ST FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (2013-2018) promoting a regional initiatives to harmonize and assess the progress on aquaculture sustainability; Increase the regional scientific cooperation Support the establishment of AZA at regional level