Split, Croatia, 13-17 May 2013 COMPENDIUM OF ... - FAO Sipam

REC.CM-GFCM/22/1997/1
REC.CM-GFCM/22/1997/1
Limitation of the use of driftnets in the Mediterranean
(original decision: resolution 97/1 1 )
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM),
CONSIDERING that on 22 December 1989, the General Assembly of the United Nations
adopted by consensus Resolution 44/225 on large-scale pelagic driftnet fishing and its impact
on the living marine resources of the world's oceans and seas;
CONSIDERING that uncontrolled expansion and growth of driftnetting may entail serious
disadvantages in terms of increased fishing effort and increased by-catches of species other
than the target species, and that it was therefore desirable to regulate fishing with driftnets;
Accordingly ADOPTS, under Article V of the GFCM Agreement, the following
recommendation:
1. No vessel flying the flag of a Contracting Party of GFCM may keep on board, or use
for fishing, one or more driftnets whose individual or total length is more than 2.5 kilometres;
2. Throughout the fishing referred to in paragraph 1, the net must, if it is longer than one
kilometre, remain attached to the vessel. However, within the 12 mile coastal band, a vessel
may detach itself from the net, provided it keeps it under constant observation.
1 Report of the 22nd Session of GFCM (Appendix G)
34