Retrospective evaluation study of the Mediterranean Sea Regulation Regional

DG MARE Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (European Commission) - Project Dates:
August 2015 - March 2016

Description of Project:
The biological, social and economic characteristics of the Mediterranean fisheries and the governance attached to it required the EU to establish a specific management regime for the fisheries resources in the area. Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/20061 - the "MEDREG" was adopted by the Council in December 2006 and entered into force in January 2007. For certain measures, the entry into force was made gradually, having a phasing-in period which lasted until 1 June 2010. The MEDREG, in accordance with the principles of good governance and the precautionary approach, contains technical measures as well as a set of management measures to be adopted by the Member States (e.g. obligation to adopt national management plans for certain fisheries and/or specific gears). It also encompasses rules for the protection of sensitive habitats (e.g. obligation to adopt Fisheries Protected Areas, closely linked to the Habitat directive obligations). Moreover, the final part of the MEDREG concerns specific measures for the 25-mile management zone around Malta.

Services Provided:

The evaluation study provided the European Commission, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) with a general assessment of the impact of the MEDREG. This evaluation study focused on:

1. Reviewing the implementation of the Regulation by Member States,

2. Analysing to what extent the objectives of the Mediterranean Regulation were reached and identify main achievements and weaknesses in this respect, with regard to objectives set by both the previous legal framework and the current one under Regulation 1380/2013,

3. Analysing the economic, social and environmental impacts of the EU intervention,

4. Analysing to what extent the regulation is fit to contribute to deliver on the objectives of the CFP, as set out in Article 2 of Regulation 1380/2013, and identifying potential areas for improvement.