Mediterranean fisheries are facing serious challenges due to over-exploitation. About 80% of all assessed stocks are fished outside safe biological limits, catches are decreasing, and regional fleets are shrinking. Environmental degradation, coastal development and pollution are putting further pressure on fish stocks, while climate change is modifying the spatial distribution and productivity of marine species across the Mediterranean. Professional fishery landings have been declining for the past 20 years.
Small-scale fisheries (SSF) still make up most of the commercial fishing sector in the Mediterranean, both in terms of number of boats (83% of the total fleet) and of people employed (57% of the total workforce). SSF use many different techniques and more than 50 types of fishing gear to target species, often switching among them during a fishing trip. However, despite its socio-economic importance, the sector currently faces unprecedented challenges due to marine resource depletion. 
 
Number of fishing vessels in GFCM sub-areas and breakdown of fishing vessels by fishing practice group and country

SSF landing sites are widespread along the coasts and in fishing ports, which makes effective monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) extremely challenging. The heterogeneity of markets and points of sale poses further complications for assessing the sector. In addition, the governance of the sector is very fragmented, and SSF have limited representation at both national and regional level. 
Nevertheless, during the last decade there have been serious efforts to improve the sector’s regulatory framework. These include an FAO-GFCM Regional Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (RPOA-SSF), supported by a Ministerial Declaration. The implementation of the Action Plan is essential for the sustainability of the sector and applies in MPAs where new practices have proved to be effective in both ecological and socio-economic terms.

SSF AND MPAS: A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING TOGETHER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Most MPAs are primarily designated with conservation objectives, but they may additionally aim to protect or recover fishery resource species and/or habitats. Fully or highly protected MPAs are likely to bring ecological benefits including an increase in abundance, biomass, density and fecundity of fish populations. This so-called ‘reserve effect’ results in the export of fish biomass to fishing grounds, and it may lead to economic benefits for SSF in adjacent areas. 
The establishment of MPAs in the Mediterranean is a relatively recent development for SSF. While MPAs and other spatial tools such as Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs) can support an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the designation of coastal MPAs has created new constraints for fishers. This has led to frequent conflicts and has in some cases made it difficult to promote collaboration between MPAs and small-scale fishers. However, the situation is evolving. Increasing numbers of MPA managers and small-scale fishers are finding that through dialogue they can create a shared vision and objectives, such as the recovery of fishery resources.

The establishment of MPAs in the Mediterranean is a relatively recent development for SSF. While MPAs and other spatial tools such as Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs) can support an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the designation of coastal MPAs has created new constraints for fishers. This has led to frequent conflicts and has in some cases made it difficult to promote collaboration between MPAs and small-scale fishers. However, the situation is evolving. Increasing numbers of MPA managers and small-scale fishers are finding that through dialogue they can create a shared vision and objectives, such as the recovery of fishery resources.