FAO General Fisheries Commission for the
Mediterranean The Fifth Session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) met in Rome, Italy, from 1 to 4 July 2002 and was attended by delegates from sixteen Members of the Commission. The Committee reviewed the conclusions and recommendations of its four Sub-Committees and their Ad Hoc Working Groups. SAC endorsed the recommendations of the GFCM/ICCAT Working Group on Large Pelagic Species and recommended developing technical guidelines on sustainable tuna farming/fattening practices. It further recommended management measures for three demersal species and for two small pelagic species. The Committee adopted a set of economic indicators and thirteen fleet segments mainly based on "métiers" and vessel length to contribute to monitoring fleet capacity. It discussed stock assessment methods, elaborated a strategy to cope with the ecosystem-based management approach and addressed the issue of involving the private sector in GFCM research activities. SAC agreed on a programme of work for the intersessional period and appointed two new Vice-Chairpersons of the Committee. |