Report of the Seventh Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Rome, 19-22 October 2004

PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT

This is the final report approved by the participants at the seventh session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Scientific Advisory Committee, held in Rome, from 19 to 22 October 2004.

Distribution:

Participants
Liste de distribution de la CGPM
Fonctionnaires des pêches dans les Bureaux régionaux et sous-régionaux de la FAO

OPENING OF THE SESSION

1. The seventh session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) was held at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy, from 19 to 22 October 2004.

2. The Session was attended by delegates from 19 Members of the Commission as well as by observers from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT). It was noted with satisfaction that this was the highest participation recorded since SAC inception in 1999, including with all Members from the Black Sea present. The list of delegates and observers is given in Appendix B to this report.

3. The meeting was called to order by Mr Corrado Piccinetti (Italy), Chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Committee, who welcomed the participants to Rome and gave the floor to Mr Jean-François Pulvenis de Séligny , Director, Fishery Policy and Planning Division, FAO Fisheries Department.

4. On behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf and of Mr Ichiro Nomura, Assistant Director-General, Fisheries Department, Mr Pulvenis de Séligny welcomed the participants to the session. He referred to the positive consequences on the work of the Committee of the entry into force on 24 April 2004 of the amendments to the GFCM Agreement which were adopted in 1997 and provide for the establishment of an autonomous budget and of the decisions taken by the Extraordinary Session of the GFCM in July 2004, in Malta, including the adoption of the autonomous budget for 2005 and the strengthening of the Secretariat. He stressed the commitment of FAO and the Fisheries Department to continue its support. Mr Pulvenis de Séligny also highlighted the positive response SAC had given to the challenges it had been facing and mentioned in general terms the areas where there was still room for improvements to enhance the operative efficiency of the Committee, particularly taking into account the suggestions put forward in the study on the evaluation of the achievements of SAC (1999-2003), which was commissioned last year. He stressed the need for renewed efforts to establish the statistical base for supporting fisheries management analysis at sub-regional and regional levels. Finally, he thanked those governments and institutions which had provided support to the work of the Committee and of the GFCM, in particular through their contributions to the FAO regional projects (CopeMed, AdriaMed, MedSudMed, EastMed, MedFisis) or through hosting the meetings of the subsidiary bodies of SAC, as well as all the scientists for their participation in the work of SAC during the intersessional period.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION

5. The Agenda as shown in Appendix A to this report was adopted.

6. The documents which were before the Committee are listed in Appendix C.

INTERSESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Review of the recommendations of the Twenty-eighth Session of GFCM concerning the mandate of SAC

7. Mr A. Bonzon, GFCM Secretary, briefly reviewed the main recommendations of GFCM to SAC as laid down in the report of the Twenty-eighth Session. Emphasis was put on the recommendations concerning the management of fisheries and the functioning of the Committee. The Secretary informed the Committee on actions taken for implementation and also stressed the various pending issues. It was noted that all pending issues were covered in the agenda of the Seventh Session of SAC. The Secretary also alluded to the results of the Extraordinary Session of GFCM which might have an impact on the work of SAC.

Review of the work of the subsidiary bodies of SAC

8. The GFCM Secretary reported on the activities of SAC during the intersession, on the basis of document GFCM:SAC7/2004/2. He informed the Committee that the subsidiary bodies of SAC had undertaken an extensive work during the past eleven months and that the respective Coordinators or their substitutes would report in detail on the results achieved. He stressed the fact that seventeen meetings were held, including two of the Coordinating Meeting of the Sub-Committees (CMSC). Thus, with the exception of a workshop on the measurement of fishing effort and the postponing of the third meeting of the GFCM/ICCAT Working Group on Sustainable Tuna Farming, all the meetings endorsed by the Commission were held.

9. The Committee was further informed that participation in the meeting of the subsidiary bodies had increased substantially, both in term of countries represented and disciplines covered. The involvement of scientists from the Eastern Mediterranean in SAC meetings was particularly noted.

10. In the ensuing discussions, the support provided by the FAO regional projects to ensure the attendance of scientists was appreciated. SAC acknowledged with satisfaction this positive trend concerning participation and insisted on the need to also ensure the availability of more scientific contributions, data and analysis, as well as a greater coverage of GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs). The Committee noted that its subsidiary bodies needed to benefit from the longest possible intersessional period to properly perform their work and agreed that, taking due consideration of organizational and procedural requirements, the meetings of the Sub-Committees should possibly take place in early September and/or about six weeks before SAC, assuming that the ordinary session of the Commission would be maintained late in the calendar year.

11. The Chairperson of SAC highlighted the current structural and functional operating system of the Committee, especially the central role and responsibilities expected from SAC Focal Points and national institutes. He suggested that the Committee should rely more on thematic workshops and on the use of consultants for addressing urgent items or fine tuning complex methodological issues. He further briefed SAC on the results of the work performed by the CMSC, which entailed an analysis of transversal issues and of coordinating needs among Sub-Committees, but also the drafting of terms of reference for that body as well as well as for the Coordinators.

12. The Committee confirmed that the Working Groups should be widely open to ensure the greatest participation, while the Sub-Committees could enjoy a more limited participation, especially if a regular attendance of concerned institutes and scientists was ensured.

13. Many delegations reiterated that the CMSC should work as a functional steering group to harmonize disciplinary inputs and outputs from the Sub-Committees and coordinate transversal issues and the preparation of integrated opinions on fisheries management which would be presented to the Committee for discussion. The Committee further emphasized the need to keep the CMSC flexible and responsive, thereby meeting as often as necessary, but reporting formally to SAC with the appropriate format.

14. The Committee reviewed the updated list of SAC Focal Points and, after its review, the Secretariat was invited to place it on the GFCM website. Members were invited to keep the list updated.

15. The Committee was informed of the results of the AdriaMed Consultation on the interaction between capture fisheries and aquaculture. The approach used and the indicators identified were emphasized. The Committee noted the interest expressed by the Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) on this issue and suggested that cooperation between SAC and CAQ should be further pursued and developed in this regard, including on areas such as the management of lagunes, biodiversity and environmental consideration, restocking and introduction of alien species, space competition and market.

16. The limited results emanating from the joint EIFAC/GFCM Working Group on sturgeon were acknowledged. In view of the current heavy workload and priorities, the Committee agreed to suggest to GFCM to withdraw for the time being from this Joint Working Group. It invited EIFAC to keep SAC informed of future development and conclusions on related activities.

17. The Committee noted the concern expressed by the CMSC concerning the status of the Joint GFCM/ICCAT Working Party on Large Pelagic Species.

18. The delegates from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey informed the Committee on recent progress made under the aegis of the Advisory Group on fisheries and other marine living resources of the Black Sea Commission (BSC), especially regarding its likely transformation into a Scientific Advisory Committee, or alike, under the aegis of the BSC. This Commission expressed the wish that its advisory group closely collaborate with SAC, especially with the Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) to benefit training on assessment methodologies and with the other Sub-Committees on fisheries management issues, such as the monitoring of fleet capacity. The Committee acknowledged this special requirements and invited concerned delegations to explicit research priorities in the Black Sea to be considered under agenda item 5 related to the work programme of SAC for 2005.

19. The Chairperson of SAC invited the Technical Secretary of CAQ to brief the Committee on progress achieved during the intersession by the GFCM/ICCAT Ad Hoc Working Group on Sustainable Bluefin Tuna Farming. A second meeting of the Working Group had been organized in December at which a report (GFCM:SAC7/2004/Mad.6) was prepared, based on the information collected. The report summarizes issues related to 1) capture fisheries, 2) aquaculture and 3) marketing of bluefin tuna and discusses statistical, biological, environmental, social and economic issues. It also lists potential solutions and research needs that served as the primary source of information in the preparation of the requested Guidelines on sustainable bluefin tuna farming.

20. The Committee was recalled that the final Guidelines would be drafted and adopted during a third meeting of the Working Group. Early 2004, a number of circumstances prevented any substantial progress in the completion of the work. Therefore, a consultant was recruited to prepare draft guidelines which were submitted in September 2004. The draft document has been edited and is now ready for consideration by the third meeting of the Working Group which could not be convened prior to the Seventh Session of SAC in view of time constraints. The third Working Group is scheduled to meet mid-March 2005.

21. In the issuing discussion, several delegations reiterated the importance of this joint GFCM/ICCAT Working Group and expressed concern in relation to the difficulties encountered to monitor a rapidly evolving situation whereby the impact of farming on wild stocks of bluefin tuna remained questioned.

22. In this respect, the representative of ICCAT alluded to the recommendations produced by his Organization last year, respectively on the collection of statistical data on tuna cages and on the marketing of the fattened fish as initial step to cope with the situation. The representative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) emphasized the need to further involve the industry in the normative work of GFCM and ICCAT, thereby favouring more efficient implementation of related resolutions and reducing illegal, unreported and unregulated bluefin tuna fishing and farming practices.

23. The Committee invited the ad hoc Working Group to take into consideration outputs produced by ICCAT and to finalize the Guidelines, taking due consideration of environmental aspects.

Ad hoc Meeting of Experts on the Independent Appraisal of the Achievements of the Scientific Advisory Committee (1999-2003)

24. The report of the Group of Experts (GFCM:SAC7/2004/Inf.6) was presented by Mr M. Camilleri who had chaired the meeting of this Group in August 2004. The appraisal comprises a summary of major achievements of the Committee, an analysis of SAC strengths and weaknesses as well as a set of guiding principles and proposals for improving the efficiency of the SAC functioning.

25. The Committee commended the Group of Experts for the quality of its work and thanked the Secretariat for timely ensuring follow-up to the request made by its Sixth Session. It recalled that the report had been well received when presented to the Twenty-eighth session of GFCM in November 2003 and that the Commission already considered a number of suggestions, especially in relation to the proposed guiding principles. In this respect, SAC particularly emphasized the need to foster task-oriented advisory process driven by GFCM objectives and to renew efforts to formulate, whenever possible, multidisciplinary management advice, encompassing multispecies fisheries and in conformity with an ecosystem approach.

26. On the options for improving the cost efficiency of SAC functioning, several delegates expressed the opinion that the immediate priority was that GFCM Members comply with their statutory obligations to effectively contribute with scientific inputs to the work of SAC and ensure steady participation of scientists.

27. SAC reiterated the importance of the FAO regional projects in SAC modus operandi and expressed the wish that the future of all these projects be maintained.

28. The Committee was in favour of formalizing the status of the CMSC, as referred to in paragraph 13 above. However, in relation to financially support the attendance of the SAC Bureau and Sub-Committees Coordinators to SAC related meetings, the Committee expressed the opinion that their participation should be supported by GFCM, only if financial resources were not available with concerned research institutes. Similarly, the use of consultants should be seen as complementary inputs if a particular expertise is lacking in the region.

Review of the reports of meetings of the four Sub-Committees

Sub-Committee for Stock Assessment

29. The Committee was informed of the resignation of Mr P. Oliver as Coordinator of the Sub-Committee and of the suggestion made for his substitution by Ms C. Karlou-Riga. SAC endorsed the proposal.

30. In the absence of the new Coordinator, Mr J. Baro presented the details of the report of the SCSA, on the basis of document GFCM/SAC7/2004/Mad.4. He pointed out that a total of 22 assessments, (14 from the Working Group on Demersal species, and eight from the Working Group on Small Pelagic Species) were presented. These included nine species and covered seven GSAs but only two assessments on sardine and anchovy in the north- and central Adriatic involved shared stocks. Mr Baro provided the background and justification for each management advice elaborated by the SCSA, (see paragraph 71 below). He noted that no new addition to the list of shared stocks has been proposed.

31. The content of other documents appraised by the SCSA, including on new information on selected species, discards, assessment methodology and on the simulation trials of various management scenarios, was described. The conclusion of the Sub-Committee regarding a length at first maturity of 11 cm for the anchovy of the Western Mediterranean and a length of 9 cm for the anchovy of the Adriatic was noted, although SAC recognized that the methodology might need to be fine tuned, especially to consider the value of L25 and L75, in addition to L50 been used.

32. The SCSA expressed concern for the future of the CopeMed Working Group on Dolphinfish, should the project be terminated.

33. Mr. P. Lembo, convenor of the SCSA Workshop on Reference points, also presented the main results of this meeting. He remarked that in most cases reference points were not yet used for fisheries management purposes but only for theoretical exercises, mainly on single species. The Workshop favoured the “traffic-light approach” and this was endorsed by the SCSA. The difficulties encountered on the identification, in actual practice, of ecosystem indicators were also pointed out. A list of performance indicators and related criteria were identified but further work on this issue was deemed necessary prior to any formal adoption by SAC.

34. In the discussions which followed those presentations, the Committee endorsed the proposal for organizing a workshop on Selectivity based on detailed Terms of Reference with the views of addressing common protocol of methodology.

35. The delegate from the EC invited SAC to use the MEDITS data for fine tuning of stock assessments in the Mediterranean. The delegate from Croatia informed SAC that a recent acoustic survey on the assessment of small pelagics in the GSA 17 provided higher biomass estimates than those obtained using VPA.

36. The Committee emphasized the importance of pursuing research on indicators and reference points, especially in relation to multispecies assessment works.

Sub-Committee on Marine Environment and Ecosystems (SCMEE)

37. The Coordinator, Mr A. Garcia, presented the report of the Sub-Committee (GFCM/SAC7/2004/Mad.1). He noted the lack of contributions on the impact of surface and bottom longline fisheries on non-commercial fish species, birds, and turtles. This had hindered advances in the analysis of the effects of fishing gears on marine ecosystems.

38. The concern of SCMEE with regard to fishing at depths greater than 1 000m was put forward to the Committee. The Representative of WWF informed the Committee that the second version of the joint WWF/IUCN comprehensive study on the status of deep sea fishing in the Mediterranean was finalized and will be put at disposal of interested SAC scientists through the GFCM Secretariat.

39. In addition, the need to further strengthen activities on the impact of large scale driftnet fisheries on biodiversity and on threatened or endangered species, including cartilaginous fishes, large pelagic sharks and cetaceans was stressed. A wider use of the MED-LEM protocols and information system already adopted by a number of regional bodies would favour timely exchange of information on Large Elasmobranchs.

40. In relation to the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), the need to support the work of SCMEE with a project at regional scale was emphasized, as was the testing of the ECOPATH model in pilot areas complemented with training courses for its use.

41. The ensuing discussions led to a wide debate on EAF. The Committee acknowledged the difficulties of implementing EAF in the Mediterranean and stressed the need to renew efforts on this issue. It noted with interest the availability of quantitative ecosystem-based indicator composed by the percentage of the primary production required to sustain fisheries and the average trophic level of the catch.

42. The delegate from Morocco suggested that a brain storming Group, or alike, be established to study the most appropriate way for identifying new ideas in order to speed up the implementation of this approach in the Mediterranean.

Sub-Committee on Statistics and Information (SCSI)

43. The Coordinator of the SCSI, Mr M. Camilleri, introduced the report of the Sub-Committee on the basis of document SAC7/2004/Mad.2, and stated that the SCSI had started its meeting by recalling the FAO Strategy for Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries, which provides the overall framework for SCIS activities. He noted that the SCSI had acknowledged the strengthened collaboration with FIGIS-FIRMS on the fisheries inventory, as well as the recent progress achieved in updating the MedStat programme in a growing number of countries, including in the Eastern Mediterranean, through the MedFisis project.

44. The Coordinator remarked that SCSI emphasized the problems related to the standardization of fishing effort by Operational Unit which were yet to be resolved. In this respect, SCSI suggested that the implementation of the CopeMed and AdriaMed pilot projects on Operational Units together with the establishment of a working group on this issue would help solving problems.

45. The Sub-Committee highlighted the development of MedSudMed, MEDITS and CopeMed (tuna and resources) biological survey databases and information systems; the former was recently developed to serve the management, analysis, and presentation of data concerning fishery resources, their environment, and successive monitoring. With respect to the MEDITS database, the coordinators of this trawl survey programme have expressed an interest in strengthening the link between MEDITS and SAC to combine data for fisheries management in the Mediterranean. In addition, SCSI elaborated on the benefits from receiving information on other on-going statistical programmes, such as those of FAO-FIDI, Eurostat and EFARO.

46. Mr Camilleri alluded to SCSI appreciation on the efforts made by Secretariat in the development of the GFCM website, including support provided by CopeMed and carried forward the SCSI’s statement to urge existing projects and Sub-Committees to continue providing relevant documentation to the FAO-FIDI staff until a GFCM website master is identified, enabling the timely processing and dissemination of SAC documentation and related information.

Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Sciences (SCESS)

47. In the absence of the Coordinator of the SCESS, Ms C. De Young introduced the report of the Sub-Committee on the basis of documents GFCM:SAC7/2004/3, GFCM:SAC7/2004/Mad.3, and GFCM:SAC7/2004/Mad.10. The presentation of intersession activities and SCESS recommendations were based on the medium-term research priorities endorsed at the Twenty-eighth session of GFCM. These included data collection on socio-economic indicators, application of such indicators and development of bio-economic models in fisheries management, training in fisheries socio-economics and management, and fisheries market analyses.

48. Based on the case studies implemented over the past five years, SCESS concluded that it would be feasible to collect the required data by fleet segmentations and to estimate socio-economic indicators across the Mediterranean.

49. The case studies undertaken, with support from AdriaMed, could provide the basis for the development of guidelines on implementing fisheries sociological studies and fishery market surveys. SCESS further emphasized the benefit to strengthen the collaboration with SCSI on data collection as well as with the CAQ Socio-economic and Legal Network (SELAM), especially with regards to market and environmental impact analyses.

50. The Committee appreciated the results of SCESS work and acknowledged its pioneering role in developing socio-economic indicators using fleet segmentations under an Operational Unit concept.

51. The Committee noted with appreciation the study, jointly prepared by CopeMed, AdriaMed and the Secretariat with the support of the FAO FishCode project, on the comparative review of legislations concerning fisheries management in GFCM Member countries. SAC expressed the wish that the monitoring of legal management-related frameworks be pursued, through maintaining alive the networks of legal experts established by some of the regional projects. These networks would be formalized through the convening of an ad hoc SCESS Legal Working Group whenever deemed appropriate by SAC. In the meantime, SAC suggested that GFCM invite Members to inform the Secretariat of the enactment of any new law or regulation, or amendments of texts in force, in order to facilitate the updating of the study.

Meeting of the GFCM/ICCAT ad hoc Working Party on Large Pelagics

52. In view of the resignation of Mr V. Restrepo, Coordinator of this subsidiary body,
Mr A. Di Natale summarized discussions held and the conclusions reached by the ad hoc Working Party, on the basis of documents GFCM:SAC7/2004/3 and GFCM:SAC7/ 2004/Mad.5. He noted that this year the work focused on reviewing the biological knowledge and data availability on small tunas, billfish and albacore. Overall statistical data on albacore were too limited for allowing any reliable assessments. Data on small tunas (Atlantic bonito, Atlantic black skipjack, bullet tuna) as well as of billfish and other tuna-like species were appraised as being very poor. The Working Party put forward a proposal for a regional research project on small tuna to address this state of affair.

53. In the ensuing discussion, the Committee noted with concern that the recommendations made in 2002 by the Working Party on historical data collection on albacore have been seldom implemented and called the attention of GFCM on this matter.

54. In relation with the statute of the ad hoc Working Party, several delegations noted that recently, Mediterranean countries, with few exceptions, were all Members of both GFCM and ICCAT. This was not the case in 1989 when the Working Party was established.

55. The delegates from France, Italy, Japan and Morocco remarked that small tuna species, even if of great interest to all GFCM Members, were not properly monitored by either one of the Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs); similarly the collection of socio-economic data and information on tuna fisheries at subregional and regional levels needed to be further strengthened. The EC representative also underlined the importance of closer scientific collaboration with ICCAT. It was suggested that SAC renew efforts to fill these gaps through the Working Party, possibly with the support of the Sub-Committees and of the FAO regional projects while avoiding overlapping with activities fully covered by ICCAT.

56. The delegate from Malta alluded to the need to update the statute of the Working Party, which should be effectively convened on an ad hoc basis, with a clear mandate for addressing specific issues. He further stated that, meanwhile, each Sub-Committee would cope with the relevant tuna-related activities, in which a representative from the ICCAT Secretariat should actively contribute and that this would allow, for example, SCISS to benefit from the extensive statistical experience of ICCAT, and ICCAT from environmental related information from SCMEE.

57. Noting the views from the ICCAT representative that the issues raised were essentially practical in nature, the Committee agreed that this subsidiary body remained a useful instrument, provided that it be adapted as a proper ad hoc transversal Working Group with specific mandates targeting clearly identified issues, and not limited to data gathering for stock assessments. SAC agreed to propose that proper terms of reference, together with clarifications on the functioning of the ad hoc Working Party, should be identified jointly and formalized by the two parent bodies.

Major activities of FAO Regional Projects

58. The major activities of the FAO regional projects, CopeMed, AdriaMed and MedSudMed were presented by the Coordinators and project staff, on the basis of document GFCM:SAC7/2004/4. These included the research programmes, consultations, working groups, training and publications. Particular focus was given to the aspects of interest to SAC, including the scientific contributions presented to the relevant Sub-Committees. An outline of progress achieved in launching the MedFisis regional project, as well as updated information on the status of EastMed under preparation were also provided.

59. The Committee expressed its satisfaction, especially with regard to current progress for finalizing the identification of Operational Units in the Adriatic on the basis of standardized fleet data, and with regard to the advancement made to implement the CopeMed pilot programme on small pelagic in the Alboran sea using Operational Units.

60. SAC thanked the Coordinators and the project staff for their comprehensive presentation and support provided to the work of the Committee during the intersessional period.

61. The delegate from Italy reiterated the importance of implementing a sub-regional approach for fisheries management through the scientific work of the FAO Regional projects and expressed the intention of his country to continue supporting AdriaMed and MedSudMed, in addition to EastMed. The delegate from the EC confirmed the commitment made by the EU to provide financial support to the FAO regional projects, in addition to current support to MedFisis.

62. The Committee insisted on the need to strengthen the interface among the regional projects and to extend to other subregions those activities which have proven efficient in a particular area.

SALIENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN MEMBER NATIONS

63. A format established at the Twenty-fifth session of GFCM for the preparation of national reports was distributed for ease of reference to participants. In this respect, the Chairperson insisted on the need to stick to that format in order to obtain an homogenous view on salient research activities which could contribute to fine tuning SAC work programme. Furthermore, Members were also invited to highlight priority research weaknesses in relation to the SAC Reference Framework.

64. Most delegations presented an overview of salient research activities carried out during the intersessional period, including their participation to regional or sub-regional research programmes. The bilateral research cooperation programme on trawl surveys between Greece and Libya was acknowledged with appreciation.

65. SAC noted the trend for most of the activities to focus on regular assessments of the main commercial demersal and small pelagic stocks, through direct and indirect methods, data collection statistical programmes and, in a lesser extend socio-economic investigations, fishing technology and marine ecology. It was also noted that there was a number of programmes focusing especially on gear selectivity and related impact on the ecosystem.

66. The Committee appreciated the quantity of ongoing fisheries research activities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, most of it being of relevance for the SAC. The Committee strongly reiterated the importance of ensuring a wider dissemination of research results, especially through submitting scientific contributions to the four SAC Sub-Committees. It acknowledged the integration of statistical information in the updated format for the national reports, which is attached as Appendix D.

67. The national reports from the different Members is reproduced in Appendix E.

FORMULATION OF ADVICE IN THE FIELD OF FISHERY MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

68. The Committee agreed to review the various advice and suggestions emanating from its subsidiary bodies, under this agenda item. SAC further concurred that advice from the SCSA on selected species or stocks should be submitted to GFCM for its consideration, although they do not constitute comprehensive management advice, as in most instances the socio-economic or environmental appraisal of such advice are still needed to be formulated and integrated.

69. The Committee endorsed, amended or formulated the following recommendations in relation to the conclusions, opinions and suggestions of each Sub-Committee.

70. As to the GFCM/ICCAT ad hoc Working Party on Stocks of Large Pelagic, the Committee expressed its conformity with the opinions which had been submitted to the ICCAT/SCRS.

Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment

Recommendations addressed to the Commission

71. The Committee endorsed, as amended, the following advice on selected stocks or species.

• Hake (Merluccius merluccius) in GSAs 01 (Northern Alboran), 05 (Balearic Islands) and 06 (Northern Spain): selectivity should be improved, e.g. by using 40 mm square mesh size, instead of the 40mm diamond mesh size; fishing effort should be controlled on nursery areas.

• Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in GSAs 01 and 06: more effective control in closed coastal areas should be encouraged to protect recruitment; stricter controls of the legal mesh size to improve the selectivity should be ensured. Moreover, use of 40 mm square mesh size, which might improve exploitation pattern (compared to the 40 mm diamond mesh size), should be encouraged.

• Striped mullet (Mullus surmuletus) in GSA 05: fishing effort should not be increased.

• Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and deep water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in GSA 03 (Southern Alboran): fishing effort in coastal areas should be reduced through transferring part of the effort to more offshore fishing grounds; mesh size regulations and coastal areas closures should be properly enforced.

• Blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in GSAs 01, 05 and 06; giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in GSA 11 (Sardinia); red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in GSA 14 (Gulf of Gabes): fishing effort should not be increased.

• Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in GSAs 01 and 06: fishing effort should not be increased; minimum size at catch should be adjusted to length at first maturity which is 11 cm; control on the commercialization of undersized specimens should be improved; yearly assessments should be undertaken to guarantee timely the availability of catch and effort data; data acquisition for proceeding towards other indirect methods of assessment, e.g. tuned VPA, should be pursued.

• Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in GSA 03: a seasonal closure of one month during the sardine spawning period should be implemented; more information on the growth and reproductive parameters should be acquired to ameliorate the assessment; a seasonal closure should be established for the areas where juveniles concentrate during the recruitment period (May-June); fishing in nursery grounds (small bays and lagoons) should be prohibited.

• Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in GSA 17 (Northern and Central Adriatic): taking into account the precautionary approach, the fishing effort should not be allowed to rise.

Recommendations addressed to the SCSA

72. The Committee invited SCSA to organize, possibly in cooperation with the Advisory Group for Fisheries and other Marine Living Resources of the Black Sea Commission, a workshop on stock assessment methodology for the Black Sea with the view to coordinate the activities carried out on this topic in this subregion. The workshop would take into consideration issues such as suitable stock assessment methods, data and necessary equipments, methods for data collection and establishment of research surveys.

73. Regarding the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, the Committee recommended that a Brain Storming Workshop be organized in order to clarify the different dimensions and issues of this topic and identify steps for its application to the Mediterranean. SAC welcomed the kind offer from the Tunisian delegation to host this meeting, with the support of the FAO Regional Projects.

74. The Committee agreed that a Workshop on methodologies for gear selectivity be organized. It acknowledged with thanks the offer made by the delegate of France to host the meeting at the IFREMER Center of Sète and the availability of CopeMed to support it. SAC invited the other FAO regional projects to consider contributing to this event, as well. The Committee reviewed and endorsed detailed terms of reference for this Workshop which will include a general review of studies on selectivity in the Mediterranean, an identification of statistical reliability and experimental constraints, suggestion for targeted studies on improvement of selectivity as well as the feasibility of preparing a manual on the subject and a SAC data base. SAC endorsed the proposal that J. Sacchi coordinates this activity.

75. In relation to the conclusions reached on length at first maturity of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), SAC recommended to fine tune the methodology and that not only the value of L50 but also of L25 and L75 be considered and presented.

76. The Committee reiterated the importance of reviewing assessment methods, thereby acknowledging the survival analysis approach.

77. The Committee recommended that, in addition to indicators and reference points for different single stocks, specific indicators be identified for each fishery and operational units (poly-indicator system). While favouring the use of multi-species indicators (e.g. BOI index) and ecological indicators as well as indicators derived from composite models and surveys, SAC agreed that each reference point should undergo a robustness and/or sensitivity test before being formally adopted.

Sub-Committee on Marine Environment and Ecosystems

Recommendations addressed to the Commission

78. The Committee endorsed the following conclusions, and suggestions from SCMEE.

79. In relation to the incidental catches of protected species and on the by-catch of large migratory species, the Committee agreed on favouring the use of the MED-LEM (Mediterranean Large Elasmobranches Monitoring) protocol and information system as well as on promoting coordination with ongoing regional programmes aimed at monitoring by-catches of all vulnerable species, in particular those related to cartilaginous fishes as well as those related to large pelagic sharks.

80. The Committee strongly advised to refrain expanding deep water fishing operations beyond the limit of 1 000 m (which is a depth limit currently not exploited), in view of scientific considerations on the presence both of unmapped sensitive habitats (deep water coral reefs, sea vents, sea mounds, etc.), and of the fragile nature of deep water fish assemblages as well as the presence of juveniles of different crustaceans species at such depths.

81. The Committee invited GFCM to consider reviewing the recent ICCAT recommendation on driftnets, and to enlarge the monitoring on large scale driftnets to the whole Mediterranean.

Sub-Committee on Statistics and Information (SCSI)

82. The Committee especially called the attention of GFCM on the need to promote the application of the Operational Unit concept in the other GSAs, taking into consideration the positive outcome of the AdriaMed pilot study on the identification and listing of OUs and the forthcoming outputs from the CopeMed study.

83. It endorsed the conclusions and advice of the SCSI particularly to:

• hold a workshop on the standardization of fishing effort measurement, relying as appropriate on available data from the AdriaMed and CopeMed areas;

• contribute to further improvement of the GFCM website, possibly with support from the FAO regional projects, including through the provision of relevant documents and information;

84. SAC also recommended the extension to the Black Sea, especially to Romania, of the MedStat fishery statistical programme, with support from MedFisis.

Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Sciences (SCESS)

85. The Committee endorsed the conclusion and advice from SCESS. SAC called the attention of GFCM in particular on the need for:

• preparing guidelines on: i) market studies and on ii) sociological studies, taking into account the methodology respectively applied through AdriaMed on this issue.

• seeking the support of FAO/FIPP to organize a technical meeting on the use of socio-economic indicators for fisheries management.

• supporting and encouraging data collection work while ensuring basic requirements on data quality and the promotion of related applications using bio-economic models.

• strengthening the interface with the work of SCISS, SCSA and CAQ/SELAM.

• initiating investigations on socioeconomic reference points on selected GSAs.

REVIEW OF SAC WORKPLAN FOR 2005

86. The Chairperson of SAC introduced this agenda item on the basis of document GFCM:SAC/2004/5 and with reference to document GFCM:SAC7/2004/3, concerning the results of SAC subsidiary bodies. He alluded to the Reference Framework for the mandate of SAC (2003-2004) as provided by the Commission at its Twenty-seventh session and further updated at its Twenty-eighth session. It was recalled that GFCM requested that the Framework be updated regularly and that the Chairperson of SAC should identify priority activities based on available inputs and achieved results in the intersessional period.

87. The Chairperson further highlighted some of the elements to be addressed by SAC in the Medium-term to complete the sequence of integrated activities to provide the Commission with the necessary scientific and technical elements for adopting sound management measures and for closing the fisheries management cycle. He expressed the view that SAC work programme for 2005 should mainly consist in finalizing, consolidating and extending most of current activities laid down in the Reference Framework for 2003-2004 and further suggested that it would not be advisable to produce a preliminary biennial Reference Framework (2005-2006), until the Commission confirm its programming mechanisms in relation with its autonomous budget.

88. The Committee agreed to forward to GFCM, a preliminary programme of work for 2005 only, which would comprise the following priorities and related meetings for each of its subsidiaries.

Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA)

89. Taking into consideration the relevant general recommendations made at its Sixth session on working arrangements and activities of this Sub-Committee, the Committee agreed on SCSA priorities as follows:

• carrying out the assessment of shared stocks and priority fisheries;

• pursuing activities on the identification of biological indicators, establishing reference points and testing them on selected fisheries or GSAs;

• completing maps on the distribution of juveniles;

• studying the likely biological impact of different fisheries management options;

• undertaking pilot multispecies stock assessments in selected GSAs.

Sub-Committee on Marine Environment and Ecosystems (SCMEE)

90. Noting that in previous year, the mandate of this Sub-Committee had tended to be overambitious, the Committee agreed on the SCMEE priorities as follows:

• supporting activities on mapping of sensitive habitats;

• holding a workshop on fisheries management applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries;

• promoting the development of a research programme on the likely impact of fishing at depths greater than 1 000 metres, including investigating the use of different deep sea gear types;

• extending analyses on the impacts of driftnets on protected or endangered species to the whole Mediterranean;

• establishing a list of projects involved in the monitoring or control of the impact of fishing on protected or endangered species with the view to enhance coordination;

• monitoring the bycatch of large pelagic shark, taking into consideration protocols such as MED-LEM.

Sub-Committee on Information and Statistics (SCIS)

91. The Committee agreed on the SCIS priorities as follows:

• developing studies on Operational Units in all GSAs having shared stocks;

• initiating work for preparing maps on the distribution of fishing operations in selected GSAs;

• preparing and holding a workshop on the standardization of fishing effort measurements by Operational Units;

• preparing and holding a transversal workshop on the statistical framework for storing and processing the GFCM data bank, including format and data characteristics of each data base, responding to SAC and GFCM needs.

Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Sciences (SCESS)

92. The Committee agreed on the SCESS priorities as follows:

• further developing studies on socio-economic indicators to cover all GSAs and establishing reference point values to be tested in selected areas;

• updating and monitoring information on the fisheries management legal framework in GFCM Members;

• establishing the minimum quality standards for socio-economic data and information;

• undertaking market studies in relation to fisheries management in GSAs where indicators are gathered.

Joint GFCM/ICCAT ad hoc Working Party on Large Pelagic

93. The Committee sought for GFCM guidance on working arrangements regarding this subsidiary, as detailed in paragraph 52 above, and therefore refrained suggesting activities for 2005.

Meetings

94. The Committee proposed the holding of the following meetings during the next intersession period. The associated venues and dates of meetings will be completed in due course, as Members indicate their willingness to host meeting.

ANY OTHER MATTERS

95. The Committee expressed the highest gratitude and appreciation for the remarkable work carried out by the Director of CopeMed, Rafael Robles, who will retire mid 2005.

96. The Committee was informed that a meeting with concerned donors and recipient countries on the launching of the formulation phase of EastMed would be organized in parallel to the present session of SAC.

DATE AND PLACE OF THE EIGHTH SESSION

97. The Committee recommended that the Eighth session of SAC be held in the fourth quarter of 2005. The exact venue and date for this meeting will be decided later.

ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

98. The report was adopted on Friday 22 October 2004.

APPENDIXES

APPENDIX A: Agenda

OPENING OF THE SESSION

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION

INTERSESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Review of the recommendations of the Twenty-eighth Session of GFCM concerning the mandate of SAC

• Review of the work of the subsidiary bodies of SAC

• Ad hoc Meeting of Experts on the Independent Appraisal of the Achievements of the Scientific Advisory Committee (1999-2003)

• Review of the reports of meetings of the four Sub-Committees

• Meeting of the GFCM/ICCAT ad hoc Working Party on Large Pelagics

• Major activities of FAO Regional Projects

SALIENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN MEMBER NATIONS

FORMULATION OF ADVICE IN THE FIELD OF FISHERY MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

REVIEW OF SAC WORKPLAN FOR 2005

ANY OTHER MATTERS

DATE AND PLACE OF THE EIGHTH SESSION

ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

APPENDIX/ANNEXE B: List of participants/Liste des participants

MEMBERS OF GFCM/
MEMBRES DE LA CGPM

ALBANIA/ALBANIE

Mimosa COBANI
Head Fishery Inspectorate
Fishery Directorate
Ministry of Agriculture
and Alimentation
Bld Deshmoret e Kombit 4
Tirana
Email: [email protected]

ALGERIA/ALGÉRIE

Mouloud HACHEMANE
Directeur
Centre national d’études et documentation
pour la pêche et l’aquaculture
11, Bd Colonel Amirouche
Bou-Ismail
W. Tipasa
Algers
Tel: +21324461906
Email: [email protected]

BULGARIA/BULGARIE

Erman ZANKOV
Executive Director
National Agency of Fisheries
and Aquaculture
17, Hristo Botev Blvd
1606 Sofia
Tel: +359 2 9526108
Fax: +359 2 9515718
Email: [email protected]

Anton DOTCHEV
Head of Department
International Relations
and European Integration
National Agency of Fisheries
and Aquaculture
17, Hristo Botev Blvd
1606 Sofia
Tel: +359 2 9530241
Fax: +359 2 9515718
Email: [email protected]

CROATIA/CROATIE

Vjekoslav TICINA
Fisheries Biologist
Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IOF)
Set. I. Mestrovica 63
21000 Split
Tel: +385 21 358688
Fax: +385 21 358650
Email: [email protected]

CYPRUS/CHYPRE

Nicos HADJISTEPHANOU
Fisheries Officer
Department of Fisheries and Marine Research
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources
and Environment
Aeolou 13
1416 Nicosia
Tel: +357 22303866
Fax: +357 22775955
Email: [email protected]

EGYPT/ÉGYPTE

Maryam Ahmed Moustafa MOUSSA
Minister Plenipotentiary
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Arab
Republic of Egypt to FAO
Head of Agriculture Office
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Via Salaria, 267
Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 8548956
Fax: +39 06 8542603
Email: [email protected]

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY - MEMBER ORGANIZATION/COMMUNAUTÉ EUROPÉENNE - ORGANISATION MEMBRE

Franco BIAGI
Head of Delegation
Administrator
Directorate General for Fisheries - A1
Rue Joseph II, B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: (+32-2) 2994104
Fax: (+32-2) 2994802
Email: [email protected]

Juan-Pablo PERTIERRA
Administrator
Directorate General for Fisheries - A4
Rue Joseph II
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: (+32-2) 2966443
Email: [email protected]

FRANCE

Henri FARRUGIO
Laboratoire ressources halieutiques
IFREMER
Avenue Jean Monnet
34200 Sète
Tel: (+33) 499 57 32 00
Fax: (+33) 499 55 32 95
E-mail: [email protected]

GREECE/GRÈCE

Costas PAPACONSTANTINOU
Director
Institute of Marine Biological Resources
HCMR
46.7 km Athinon Souniou
Mavro Lithari, Anavissos Attici
Tel: +30 210 9821354
Fax: +30 210 9811713
Email: [email protected]

ISRAEL/ISRAËL
ITALY/ITALIE

Riccardo RIGILLO
Direzione Generale della Pesca
e dell’ Acquacoltura
Ministero per le Politiche Agricole e Forestali
Viale dell' Arte 16
00144 Roma
Tel : +39 06 59084746
Fax : +39 06 159084176
Email: [email protected]

Corrado PICCINETTI
SAC Chairperson
Laboratorio di Biologia Marina e Pesca
Viale Adriatico 1/N
61032 Fano
Tel : +39 07 21802689
Fax : +39 07 21801654
Email: [email protected]

Giuseppe LEMBO
Researcher
COISPA Tecnologia e Ricerca
Via dei Trulli 18
70045 Bari
Tel : +39 080 5433596
Fax : +39 080 5433586
Email: [email protected]

Rosa CAGGIANO
Direzione Generale Pesca e Acquacoltura
Ministero per le Politiche Agricole
e Forestali
Viale dell’Arte 16
00144 Roma
Tel: +39 06 59084493
Fax: +39 06 59084176
Email: [email protected]

Evelina SABATELLA
IREPA Onlus
Via S. Leonardo
(Trav. Migliaro)
84131 Salerno
Tel: +39 089 338978
Fax: +39 089 330835
Email: [email protected]

Antonio DI NATALE
Aquastudio Research Institute
Via Trapani, 6
98121 Messina
Italy
Tel: +39 090 346408
Fax: +39 090 364560
Email: [email protected]

JAPAN/JAPON

Ziro SUZUKI
Tuna Biologist
National Research Institute of Far Seas
Fisheries (FRIFSF)
Fisheries Research Agency
5-7-1 Shimizuorido
Shizuoka
Shizuoka 424-8633
Tel: +81 543 36 6041
Fax: +81 543 35 9642
Email: [email protected]

LEBANON/LIBAN
LIBYA/LIBYE

Seraj Adden ESSA
Alternate Permanent Representative
Permanent Representation of the Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya to FAO
Via Nomentana 365
Rome 00162

Atig Drawil HUNI
Scientific Adviser
Marine Biology Research Center
Tajura
Tel: +218 21 3690001
Fax: +218 21 3690002
Email: [email protected]

MALTA/MALTE

Matthew CAMILLERI
Head
Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences
Ministry for Rural Affairs
and the Environment
Fort San Lucjan
M’Xlokk
Tel: (+356) 21 650933
Fax: (+356) 21 659380
Email: [email protected]

MONACO
MOROCCO/MAROC

Abdellah SROUR
Directeur du Centre régional
INRH Tanger
Institut national de recherche
halieutique (INRH)
BP. 5268 Dradeb
Tanger
Tel: +212 39325134
Fax: +212 39325139
Email: [email protected]

Khalil NAJEM
Ministère de l’agriculture, du développement
rural et des pêches maritimes
Département des pêches maritimes
Direction des pêches maritimes et de
l’aquaculture
Email: [email protected]

ROMANIA/ROUMANIE

Gheorghe RADU
Senior Scientist
National Institute for Marine Research
and Development
Grigore Antipa
Constanta
Email: [email protected]

Viorel MARIUTAN
Senior Adviser
Ministry of Agriculture, Forests
and Rural Development
Bd Carol Nol 24
Sector 3
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 3078638
Fax: +40 21 3078639

Gabriela Dumitriu
Deputy Permanent Representative
Embassy of Romania
Via Nicolò Tartaglia 36
00197 Rome
Tel: +39 06 8073082
Fax: +39 06 8084995
Email: [email protected]

SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO/
SERBIE ET MONTÉNÉGRO

Slavica PAVLOVIC
Senior Adviser
Agriculture Department
Ministry of Agriculture
B.C. Vektra
Podgorica
Tel: +381 81 482277
Fax: +381 81 234306
Email: [email protected]

Slobodan REGNER
Senior Scientist
Institute of Marine Biology
PO Box 69
85330 Kotor
Tel/Fax: +381 82 334570
Email: [email protected]

SLOVENIA/SLOVÉNIE
SPAIN/ESPAGNE

Jorge BARO
Investigador
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga
Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia
Puerto Pesquero
29640 Fuengirola
Tel: +34 95 247 69 55
Fax: +34 95 246 38 08
Email: [email protected]

Alberto GARCIA
Investigador
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga
Ministerio de Ciencia
y Tecnologia
Puerto Pesquero
29640 Fuengirola
Tel: +34 95 247 69 55
Fax: +34 95 246 38 08
Email: [email protected]

SYRIA/SYRIE
TUNISIA/TUNISIE

Ridha M’RABET
Directeur général de l’INSTM
INSTM
Rue du 2 mars 1934
2035 Salammbo
Tel: +216 71 730548
Fax: +216 71 732622
Email: [email protected]

Othman JARBOUI
Maître de recherche agricole
à l'INSTM
BP 1035
3018 Sfax
Tel: +216 4 497 117
Fax: +216 4 497 989
Email: [email protected]

TURKEY/TURQUIE

Hasan KILIC
Agricultural Engineer
Akay cad. No.3
06100 Bakanliklar
Ankara
Tel: +90 312 4174176/5111
Fax: +90 312 4198319
Email: [email protected]

Nedim ANBAR
Adviser to the Minister
on ICCAT and BFT Matters
Ministry of Agriculture
Ataturk Bulv. No. 141, B-Block - D101,
Kizilay, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 4198054
Fax: +90 312 4198057
Email: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS/ OBSERVATEURS D'ORGANISATIONS INTERGOUVERNEMENTALES

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ATLANTIC TUNAS (ICCAT)/COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE POUR LA CONSERVATION DES THONIDÉS DE L'ATLANTIQUE (CICTA)

Papa KEBE
ICCAT
C. Corazón de María 8-6º
28002 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 914165600
Fax: +34 914165699
Email: [email protected]

OBSERVER FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION/ OBSERVATEUR D'ORGANISATION NON-GOUVERNEMENTALE

WORLD WIDE FUND/FONDS
MONDIAL POUR LA NATURE

Paolo GUGLIELMI
Head of Marine Unit
Via Po 25/C
00198 Rome, Italy

FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla,
00100 Rome

Fisheries Department/
Département des pêches

Jean-Francois PULVENIS DE SÉLIGNY
Director/Directeur
Fishery Policy and Planning Division/Division
des politiques et de planification de la pêche
Tel: +39 06 57054138
Fax: +39 06 57056500
Email: [email protected]

GFCM Secretariat/Secrétariat de la CGPM

Alain BONZON
GFCM Secretary/Secrétaire de la CGPM
Senior Fishery Liaison Officer/
Fonctionnaire principal de liaison (pêches)
International Institutions and Liaison
Service/Service des institutions
internationales et de liaison
Fishery Policy and Planning Division/
Division des politiques et de la
planification de la pêche
Tel: +39 06 57056441
Fax: +39 06 57056500
Email: [email protected]

Jordi LLEONART
Senior Fishery Resources Officer/
Fonctionnaire principal chargé des
resources halieutiques
Marine Resources Service/Service
des ressources marines
Fishery Resources Division/Division des
ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39 06 57056354
Fax: +39 06 57053020
Email: [email protected]

Alessandro LOVATELLI
Fishery Resources Officer (Aquaculture)/
Spécialiste des ressources halieutiques
(aquaculture)
Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture
Service/Service des ressources des eaux intérieures et de l'aquaculture
Fishery Resources Division/ Division des ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39-06-57056448
Fax: +39-06-57053020
Email: [email protected]

Luca GARIBALDI
Fishery Statistician/Statisticien des pêches
Fishery Information, Data and Statistics
Unit/Unité de l’information, des données
et des statistiques sur les pêches
Tel: +39 06 57053867
Fax: +39 06 57052476
Email: [email protected]

Cassandra DE YOUNG
Fishery Planning Analyst/Analyste
de la planification des pêches
Fishery Policy and Planning Division/
Division des politiques et de la planification
de la pêche
Tel: +39 06 57054335
Fax: +39 06 57056500
Email: [email protected]

Marianne GUYONNET
Secretary/Secrétaire
International Institutions and Liaison
Service/Service des institutions
internationales et de liaison
Fishery Policy and Planning Division/
Division des politiques et de la planification
de la pêche
Tel: +39 06 57053951
Fax: +39 06 57056500
Email: [email protected]

ADRIAMED Project

Fabio MASSA
Project Coordinator
Corso Umberto 30
Termoli (CB)
Italy
Tel: +39 08 75708252
Fax: +39 08 75708252
Email: [email protected]

Piero MANNINI
Fishery Monitoring Expert
Corso Umberto 30
Termoli (CB), Italy
Tel: (+39 08) 75708252
Fax: (+39 08) 75720065
Email: [email protected]

COPEMED Project

Rafael ROBLES
Director of CopeMed Project
MAPA
Paseo del la Castellana, 112
28046 Madrid
Spain
Tel: +34 91 347171711/567804
Fax: +34 91 4110483
Email: [email protected]

MEDFISIS Project

Salvatore R. COPPOLA
MedFisis Programme Coordinator
Senior Fishery Resources Officer/Analyste
principal des ressources halieutiques
Fishery Resources Division/Division des
ressources halieutiques
Tel: (+39 06) 57053034
Fax: (+39 06) 57053020
Email: [email protected]

MEDSUDMED Project

Tarub BAHRI
Fishery Monitoring Expert
Via Luigi Vaccara, 61
91026 Mazara del Vallo (TP)-Italy
Tel: +39 0923 909800
Fax: +39 0923 672068
Email: [email protected]

APPENDIX C: List of documents

APPENDIX D: Format for the preparation of National Reports^[1]

(Not to exceed three pages)

1. Status of stocks of priority species

The report should indicate the species evaluated during the inter-session period and presented (the evaluations) to the SAC Sub-Committees, expressing for each species was the stock is over-exploited, in balanced situation or under-exploited. The report should also indicate the management units covered by the assessment.

2. Status of the statistics and information system

Brief description of the national system of fishery statistics and/or any improvement/change occurred. Participation in regional projects and achievements/ progress in activities related to the collection and processing of fishery statistics. Type of data collected, transfer to GFCM Secretariat and other international bodies. Synergies with other applications.

3. Status of research in progress

A brief description of the results of the research projects in progress of interest to GFCM Sub Committees and Working Group, with particular emphasis on management oriented assessment and GFCM priority species.

4. Status of the social sciences studies in progress or achieved during the intersessional period (economy, legislation, sociology, etc.)

A brief description of the achievement and/or progress in activities related to the national research on the socio-economic aspects of the fishing communities and fishing sector.

5. Marine environmental studies in progress

Brief description of the main results from actions and studies carried out during the intersessional period which are relevant to the impact of the marine environment changes on the priority stocks and on the ecosystem alteration originated by the fisheries activities.

6. Research suggestions for consideration by SAC