Report | July 10, 2025

The Mediterranean Sea: Advancing Transparency and Governance in the Fisheries Management

Why the Mediterranean Matters

Why the Mediterranean Matters

The Mediterranean Sea is a vital pillar of Europe’s environmental integrity, regional food security, and socio-economic resilience. Its waters support diverse marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions, particularly in coastal communities. Over 700,000 jobs and more than €20 billion in revenue are generated annually by fisheries and marine aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, underlining the sea’s immense value not just ecologically, but economically1 .

 However, the Mediterranean is currently among the most overexploited marine regions in the world. Nearly 60% of assessed Mediterranean fish stocks are being fished beyond sustainable biological limits1 . Combined with the impacts of climate change and insufficient enforcement, this not only threatens marine resources, but also the socio-economic stability of the Mediterranean region in the long term.

French version