Nino Tandilashvili Highlights Georgia’s Sustainable Fisheries Policy at High-Level UN Panel
Nino Tandilashvili, First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, spoke at an international panel held within the framework of the UN High-Level Conference in Nice, France. The topic of the panel was “Promoting the Management of Sustainable Fisheries.”
In her address, Tandilashvili emphasized Georgia’s progress and commitment as a Black Sea country toward implementing sustainable fisheries policies.
“Our goal is to safeguard and balance economic, social, tourism, and biodiversity interests at every stage — from policy planning to execution. In Georgia, commercial fishing is strictly regulated through a licensing system, and annual fishing quotas are determined with the involvement of both national and international experts, using the methodology of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),” she stated.
The Deputy Minister spoke about measures taken to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including the introduction of modern monitoring technologies.
“The EU’s recognition of fishing catch certificates issued by Georgian authorities is a major achievement. It not only opens new opportunities for international trade but also further reinforces sustainability principles,” Tandilashvili added.
She thanked FAO for supporting sustainable aquaculture development in Georgia. She noted that designated zones for aquaculture have already been identified in the country, fully aligned with international standards. Recently, Georgia issued its first aquaculture license — a significant step toward building a regulated and sustainable sector that enhances the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities.
Tandilashvili also emphasized Georgia’s cooperation with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), particularly in strengthening the small-scale fisheries sector.
“Supporting small-scale fisheries is not only an ecological obligation but also a key social and economic priority. It is essential to recognize, preserve, and reflect the knowledge and traditional practices of those involved in this sector in our policy decisions,” she stated.
The panel discussion was part of the UN 2025 Ocean Conference, dedicated to Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” The event was attended by the Director-General of FAO, the European Commissioner for Fisheries, ministers from various countries, and representatives of international organizations and academia.
