The adoption of a common regional strategy for the development of small scale fisheries (SSF) in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea region were recommended on March 9th, 2016 in Algiers at the end of the regional conference of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).
In this context, the participants in the three-day allocated to this important meeting called for the establishment of a technical assistance program in favor of the least developed countries in these two regions. An approach that should be preceded by the launch of a socio-economic study to collect data to identify the precise contribution of small scale fisheries (SSF) to the economy of each country.
The recommendations also include the need to involve fishermen in the management of protected marine areas and to promote intersectoral cooperation to ensure the safeguarding and development of small scale fisheries (SSF) as a profession, but also as an activity beneficial to the country's economy. Facilitating access to bank loans was one of the points defended by the experts of the GFCM, who advocate in parallel launching public programs for financing small-scale fishermen.

After long negotiations, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Mr. Oumar Gueye and the Secretary of State of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Ildefonso Barros signed the new protocol application of the agreement between the two Governments in the field of Fisheries, on April 1st , 2016 in Dakar.

This protocol specifies the practical modalities of implementation of cooperation in fisheries. Such renewal will allow small scale and industrial fisheries of Senegal to have access to the territorial waters of Guinea Bissau.

Ways to strengthen the Moroccan-French cooperation in the field of marine fisheries have been the focus of an interview on March 30th, 2016 in Rabat, between the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries, Mr Aziz Akhannouch and the French Secretary of State in charge of Transport, Sea and Fisheries, Mr Alain Vidalies.

During this meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to give a new impetus to cooperation in scientific research, aquaculture, training and bilateral trade. In a statement to the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) at the end of this interview, the French official praised the level of coordination between the two countries in international bodies highlighting the convergence of views and interests of France and of Morocco regarding the development of aquaculture and the exchange of experiences in this field.

Develop fishing activity in Dakhla and thus support its current rise. It is in this sense that His Majesty the King, Mohammed VI, has just inaugurated the new fish market in the city. A new infrasctructure marketing of seafood conducted as part of the implementation of the national strategy "Halieutis" according to the highest international standards. An investment of 26 million dirhams.

FAO with the assistance of INFOSAMAK and the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Sultanate of Oman and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) co-organized a regional 4 day workshop under the theme: “The Near East and North Africa Regional Consultation: Towards the Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, which was held in Muscat – Oman during the period from 7 through 10 December, 2015. It was attended by 40 participants representing governments, academia, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and regional and international organizations, civil society organization (CSOs), coming from 12 countries in the Near East and North Africa region.