General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean: report of the fortieth session, St. Julian’s, Malta, 30 May - 3 June 2016

The fortieth session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean as well as the tenth session of the Compliance Committee and the seventh session of the Committee on Administration and Finance was attended by delegates of all 24 contracting parties, as well as delegates of the two cooperating non-contracting parties and two riparian non-contracting parties. Representatives from 15 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations were also in attendance. It was the first time in the history of the Commission that full attendance was attained and all the Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian States were present together in a regular session. During the session, the Commission granted cooperating non-contracting party status to Bosnia and Herzegovina in light of its increasing involvement in GFCM activities and as a preliminary step towards full membership in due course. Moreover, within the framework of ongoing cooperation with partner organizations, a memorandum of understanding was signed with OceanCare. The Commission was encouraged to strengthen cooperation further, including by providing technical assistance to contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties. This technical assistance would underpin compliance and contribute to the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.