Malaga | The session was attended by delegates and representatives from 18 Mediterranean contracting parties, 3 cooperating non-contracting parties, 7 observers, invited experts and the GFCM Secretariat. The Committee started with the election of its Bureau: Chairperson Ibrahim Al Hawi (Lebanon), 1st Vice-Chairperson Mohamed El Araby (Egypt) & 2nd Vice-Chairperson Ilaria Ferraro (Italy). 

During the session, the Committee reviewed the work carried out during the 2017–2019 intersession. In particular, the CAQ discussed aspects related to: 

1. Activities on shrimp farming
2. Cooperation and technical assistance, including in support of the establishment of allocated zones for aquaculture (AZA)
3. Terms of interest for the CAQ glossary
4. Preparation of draft guidelines on the use of alien species in aquaculture, social acceptability for sustainable aquaculture development, and aquaculture restocking and stock enhancement
5. Activities related to the Aquaculture Demonstrative Centres (ADCs) in the Black Sea.

Moreover, the Committee examined progress made in the operationalisation of the GFCM aquaculture strategy, in particular advances made by countries against each target of the strategy and monitoring system. 

The agenda also included a special session of the Information System for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM), which was organized concomitantly. The main topics related to: 

1. Data transmission and consultation procedures; 
2. Updates on data submission by contracting parties and cooperating non contracting parties (CPCs)
3. Data on fingerling production. 

The Committee formulated advice and priorities aimed at steering future work towards sustainable aquaculture, aquaculture spatial plannning, aquatic animal health, aquaculture data collection and market. Finally, the Committee agreed upon its work plan for 2019–2021.