Report | September 14, 2026

The West Med MAP compensation mechanism: Assessment of the measures adopted between 2022 and 2026 and recommendations for 2027

The Western Mediterranean Multiannual Plan (MAP) is driving a necessary and significant transition towards more sustainable demersal fisheries. Its principal management instrument is a fishing-effort regime that limits the number of fishing days available to trawlers. However, the key binding objective of achieving fishing mortality within the ranges consistent with maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) by 1 January 2025 for all stocks has not yet been met.

One management tool that was introduced as part of the annual implementation of the MAP in 2022 is the ‘compensation mechanism’, which allows Member States to allocate additional fishing days to trawl vessels in exchange for implementing certain technical conservation measures. Its stated purpose is to promote selective fishing gear and efficient closure areas that protect juveniles and spawners, while moderating the short-term socioeconomic impacts of restrictions on fishing days. Its central premise is that the conservation benefits delivered by the eligible measures should at least offset the additional fishing mortality generated by the additional days granted as compensation.