Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/2 on a management plan for the sustainable exploitation of blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea (geographical subareas 1 to 3).

This Recommendation lays down rules for the establishment of an adaptive multiannual management plan for the sustainable exploitation of blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea and applies to all commercial fishing activities with longlines and handlines catching blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea. The contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties concerned agree to implement the measures foreseen in this Recommendation within the area of distribution of blackspot seabream in the Strait of Gibraltar. The operational objective of this Recommendation shall be to maintain fishing mortality for blackspot seabream within agreed precautionary reference points in order to reach and maintain as soon as possible a fishing mortality level consistent with the maximum sustainable yield. The multiannual plan shall aim to apply the precautionary approach to fisheries management; counteract or prevent overfishing with a view to ensuring long-term yields while maintaining the size of the stock within biologically sustainable levels; and establish measures to adjust exploitation rates and fishing capacity to sustainable levels. To this end, this Recommendation sets forth transitional precautionary management measures, technical and conservation measures, fleet management measures and long-term management measures. Each contracting party and cooperating non-contracting party shall designate ports in which landing blackspot seabream under the scope of this Recommendation is authorized and immediately communicate any update of this list to the GFCM Secretariat. In addition, the contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties whose fleets are authorized to catch blackspot seabream under the scope of this Recommendation shall set up a mechanism for monitoring the fisheries and the catches. It shall be prohibited to transship blackspot seabream at sea.