Tunisia towards the implementation of MedFish4Ever

“Tunisia’s commitment is directed towards the preservation of fish stocks in the Mediterranean, as required by the Malta Declaration MedFish4Ever“. This was stated by the Tunisian Minister for Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Samir Taieb, during an international seminar, organized in cooperation with the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, for the implementation of the declaration MedFish4Ever.

Minister Samir Taieb urged the implementation of interventions to prevent and minimize environmental pressures and risks on the Mediterranean and the effects on marine ecosystems, fishery resources, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and health.

The attention of the sector is focused on four main axes: the guarantee of a sustainable marine environment, the optimal management of fishery resources and of fishery and aquaculture products, the provision of quality services and the diversification of aquaculture activities.

“Fishing in Tunisia employs about 100,000 people and contributes significantly to trade in food products, in particular with the European Union”, as specified by the Minister.

The declaration of Malta MedFIsh4Ever, signed on March 30, 2017, was born as a response to the state of over-exploitation of the Mediterranean and foresees a ten-year plan of interventions aimed at ensuring the sustainability of fish resources over time, through data and scientific assessments on the state of health of the Mediterranean and fish stocks, the adoption of management plans for the main fisheries, the fight against illegal fishing and support for small-scale fishing.