Overfishing in the Mediterranean and Black Sea has fallen to its lowest level in ten years, even as aquaculture continues its rapid expansion as a major source of aquatic foods in the region, according to the 2025 State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries (SoMFi) report released by FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).
Drawing on contributions from more than 700 experts, the report shows that fishing pressure has been reduced by 50 percent over the past decade, with the biomass of assessed commercial species rising by 25 percent between 2013 and 2023. Several key species—including red mullet and giant red shrimp—display clear signs of recovery. Management plans in particular are delivering results: common sole in the Adriatic has seen a 42 percent drop in fishing mortality since 2019, while turbot in the Black Sea shows an 86 percent reduction since 2013.
Despite these improvements, 52 percent of assessed stocks remain overfished, down sharply from 87 percent a decade ago but still above sustainable levels. Challenges including discards, incidental catches of vulnerable species, and uneven economic performance persist across subregions.
Aquaculture, meanwhile, is becoming a cornerstone of regional production. Marine and brackish aquaculture reached 940,000 tonnes in 2023, now accounting for over 45 percent of aquatic food output. When freshwater farming is included, total aquaculture production approaches 3 million tonnes, valued at $9.3 billion and employing 113,000 people. Production remains concentrated: the top eight producing countries account for 95.5 percent of output, led by Türkiye, Egypt and Greece, while seabream and seabass dominate farmed volumes.
As demand for aquatic foods continues to rise, the report estimates production will need to increase by 14–29 percent by 2050 to maintain current per capita consumption.
“Aquatic foods, fishers and fish farmers have always played a key role in the region’s coastal communities,” said Miguel Bernal, Executive Secretary of the GFCM. “We need to make sure they continue to do so in the future, through cooperation and effective management.”
Read the full report here: The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025
