On the sidelines of the International fishery forum in St.-Petersburg the Deputy Minister of agriculture, head of Rosrybolovstvo Ilya Shestakov held a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the General Commission for fisheries in the Mediterranean sea FAO Abdella Sroom. They discussed prospects of cooperation, in particular, the possibility of Russia's participation in the work of GSAS as a full member.

The purpose of the Commission is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources in the biological, social, economic and environmental level. GSAS also deals with sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black seas.

Members of the GFCM are: Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Monaco, Romania, Syria, Slovenia, Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, France, Japan and the European Union.

Ilya Shestakov said that Russia is the only littoral black sea state, which formally is not part of GSAS.

As reported Fishnews in the press service of the Agency, including in the work of the Commission as a full member will enable our country to participate actively in the development of international fisheries management in the Black sea. Also, Russia will provide access for its fish products to the markets of the Mediterranean and black sea countries, membership in the Commission will promote cooperation in the field of mariculture in the Black sea and other fields of fisheries. In addition, Russia will have the opportunity to influence policy and regulatory framework of the GSAS in the study, conservation and management of straddling stocks in the Black sea.

Photo: boomerangclub.ru