The Mediterranean is much more than a geographical area. It is an economic lifeline, cultural foundation and key ecological area at the same time. But it is precisely this system that is under increasing pressure – due to overfishing, rising water temperatures and profound changes in marine ecosystems.

At this critical stage, a seemingly technical measure is taking centre stage in the political debate: adjusting the depth limit for bottom trawling.

There is currently a ban on bottom trawling below 1,000 metres in the Mediterranean – a regulation that was introduced by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in 2005. However, new scientific findings clearly show that this limit does not go far enough.

The proposed adjustment to 800 meters may seem marginal at first glance. In fact, however, it is a strategically relevant measure with significant ecological effects. This change could protect around 100,000 square kilometers of additional deep-sea – including sensitive habitats such as cold-water corals and sponge reefs.

These ecosystems are not only ecologically valuable, but also extremely fragile. A single trawl passage can cause irreversible damage.

The decisive factor is that the measure is not only ecologically sensible, but also economically viable.

Pilot projects in several Mediterranean countries – including France, Italy and Greece – show that the shift of catch has little negative impact on yields. At the same time, economically relevant species such as deep-sea shrimp remain available in catchable areas.

The argument that nature conservation and the economy are in contradiction simply does not apply here.

Mediterranean is warming much faster than the global average and is considered a hotspot of climate change. In this context, deeper marine zones take on a new meaning: they increasingly function as retreats for marine species.

The protection of these so-called climate refuges is no longer an optional environmental goal, but a strategic necessity for long-term food security and stability of fisheries.

With the current EU Council Presidency, Costas Kadis is at the centre of this development. As EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, he has a direct influence on the future direction of European maritime policy.

For Cyprus, the issue is not abstract. Even if national fisheries do not operate at these depths, their own waters are affected – especially by international fleets.

A clear position in favour of the new depth limit would therefore not only bring ecological advantages, but also ensure more fairness and uniform rules in the Mediterranean.

In view of the upcoming further development of the "MedFish4Ever" strategy and the meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in 2026, there is a narrow window of opportunity for concrete decisions.

This is where it is decided whether political programmes will continue to be declarations of intent – or whether they will be translated into measurable results.

Conclusion: More than just a depth limit

The adjustment of the fishing limit from 1,000 to 800 metres is not a detail, but a lever. A lever to:

The same applies to the data situation. What is missing now is not further analysis – but a political decision.

If this is made, a technical adaptation could become exactly what rarely succeeds enough: a real success story in the Mediterranean.



Authors:
Alexandra Cousteau is the co-founder of Oceans 2050 and a senior consultant to Oceana. She continues her family's legacy in the field of marine conservation, with a focus on restoring and preserving biodiversity.
Dr. Xenia I. Loizidou is a civil and coastal engineer with 30 years of experience in marine and coastal dynamics in the Mediterranean. Since 2019, she has been appointed Ambassador for the Coast by the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme.
Source: Cyprus-Mail.com

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CoAuthor: MRadio Redaktion / Text has been shortened!