The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has disclosed that Bulgaria and Romania will see a rise in the permitted catch limit for turbot over the upcoming four years, reaching a total of 82.5 tons annually. This adjustment stands as a 10% increase compared to the previous permitted catch limit for the two countries, which was up to 75 tons yearly. The decision to enhance the catch limit was made during the 47th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) held in Rome. This adjustment marks the second increase in 5 years and is a direct response to the continuous efforts and measures implemented to safeguard the turbot species in the region.
Moreover, during the same GFCM session, it was decided that the existing measures for sprat and longnose spurdog in the Black Sea will persist, along with the protective measures for rapana and a comprehensive ban on sturgeons. The focus during the session also shifted to discussions on coordinated efforts for sustainable investments in aquaculture, improving monitoring and control practices, and addressing the impacts of climate change on fisheries. The joint actions discussed aim to promote sustainability in aquaculture, strengthen surveillance mechanisms, and tackle the challenges posed by climate change in the fishing industry.