Overfishing in the Egyptian Mediterranean: A New Study Calls for Urgent Action To Save the Fisheries

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems in the world, hosting more than 17,000 species of fish and invertebrates

However, this rich biodiversity is under threat from overfishing, pollution, habitat degradation, climate change and invasive species

Among the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt has a long history and tradition of fishing, dating back to ancient times Egypt's Mediterranean fisheries contribute to the food security, livelihoods and economy of millions of people, especially in the coastal areas

However, a new study by researchers from the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport has revealed that Egyptian Mediterranean fisheries are in urgent need of better management to ensure their sustainability and resilience

A century of overexploitation and external shocks

(Photo : STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)

The study, published in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management, reconstructed Egypt's marine fisheries catches from the Mediterranean from 1920 to 2019, using a variety of sources and methods

The results showed that 3.8 million tonnes of fish and invertebrates were removed from Egypt's Mediterranean waters during this period, with major peaks and declines caused by various factors

The study identified four main phases of Egypt's Mediterranean fisheries development:

The early development phase (1920-1949)

Characterized by low catches and fishing effort, mainly by trawlers targeting demersal species (fish that live near the bottom of the sea) such as hake, mullet and sole.

The expansion phase (1950-1969)

Marked by a rapid increase in catches and fishing effort, driven by the development of new fishing gears (such as purse seines and longlines) and markets, as well as the introduction of motorized boats.

This phase also saw a shift in the target species from demersal to pelagic (fish that live near the surface of the sea) such as sardines, anchovies and mackerel.

The decline phase (1970-1989),

Characterized by a sharp decrease in catches and fishing effort, mainly due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1964, which blocked the flow of nutrients from the Nile into the sea, affecting the productivity and distribution of fish populations.

This phase also witnessed a decline in the quality and quantity of fish landing sites, as well as political and economic instability5

The fluctuation phase (1990-2019),

Marked by a recovery and stabilization of catches and fishing effort in the 1990s, followed by another decline in the 2000s and 2010s, due to overexploitation, environmental degradation, climate change and invasive species.

This phase also saw a diversification of the fishery sector, with the emergence of aquaculture, recreational fishing and ecotourism

The study also found evidence of fishing down the food web, a phenomenon that occurs when fishers target larger and more valuable species at higher trophic levels (positions in the food chain), depleting their stocks and then shifting to smaller and less valuable species at lower trophic levels

The researchers calculated an indicator called the Marine Trophic Index (MTI), which measures the average trophic level of the catch.

They found that the MTI declined from 3.6 in 1920 to 2.8 in 2019, indicating a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health

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A call for better management

The researchers concluded that Egyptian Mediterranean fisheries are facing multiple challenges that require urgent action from both fishers and managers.

They recommended a number of measures to improve the management of these fisheries, such as:

•  Adopting an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM), which considers not only the target species but also their interactions with other species and habitats, as well as the social and economic aspects of fishing communities
•  Implementing science-based catch limits and quotas for each fishery, based on regular stock assessments and monitoring.
•  Enforcing existing regulations on fishing gear, mesh size, minimum landing size, closed areas and seasons, as well as combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
•  Promoting co-management arrangements between fishers and managers, involving participatory decision-making processes and shared responsibilities.
•  Enhancing data collection and reporting systems for both commercial and recreational fisheries, using modern technologies such as electronic logbooks, vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and remote sensing.
•  Developing alternative livelihoods and income sources for fishers, such as aquaculture, ecotourism and value-added processing.
•  Raising awareness and education among fishers and consumers about the importance of sustainable fishing practices and responsible seafood consumption.

The researchers also highlighted the need for regional and international cooperation among the Mediterranean countries, as well as with relevant organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM).

They stressed that Egypt has a key role to play in the conservation and management of the Mediterranean Sea's marine resources, as it has the longest coastline and the largest population among the Mediterranean countries

The study is part of a global initiative by the Sea Around Us to reconstruct the fisheries catches of all maritime countries and territories from 1950 to 2010, and to update them until 2019.

The aim is to provide more accurate and comprehensive data on global fisheries, which can inform better policies and practices for sustainable fisheries management

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