EIFAC proposal for setting-up a Joint Working Party on the Management of Sturgeon
89. The GFCM Secretary briefly described the history of this proposal and recalled that GFCM agreed at its Twenty-sixth Session (Ischia, Italy, 2001) to establish such a Group. The Committee noted that at its Twenty-second Session (Windermere, 12-19 June 2002), EIFAC, following decisions of the Twenty-sixth Session of GESAMP, formally established an Ad hoc EIFAC/GFCM Working Party on Management of Sturgeon. The terms of reference of the Working Party are attached as Appendix K.
90. It further noted that EIFAC felt that specific attention should be paid to the review of the state-of-art of stock assessment methods and their suitability for sturgeon stock assessment. Restocking and reintroduction programmes conducted elsewhere in Europe, having impact on fisheries management practices, should also be considered by the Ad hoc Working Party. The Ad Hoc Working Party should also pay attention to Northern Aegean sturgeon stocks.
91. SAC recommended that members of GFCM interested in sturgeon management should fully participate in this joint EIFAC/GFCM Working Party and contact the Convener, Mr M. Chebanov, Krasnodar Research Institute of Fisheries, Russian Federation, accordingly.
Status of MEDISFIS Pipeline Project
92. In addition to the information already provided on the project (paragraphs 21 of this report), the Committee was informed that delegates from EC, ADRIAMED, COPEMED, MEDSUDMED FAO Projects, representatives of the FAO Secretariat and the Coordinator of the SCSI met in parallel to the Session to complete the formulation of such project. It was confirmed that the project would call upon resources and efforts from the EC, FAO Regular Programme, ADRIAMED, COPEMED and MEDSUDMED, and that specific guarantees in terms of contributions in cash and/or in kind will be requested to participating countries. A draft project document will be prepared targeting for its approval before the end of 2002. SAC members will be kept informed of the finalization process.
93. The Committee took note with appreciation of progress made and requested the Secretariat to circulate the revised draft project document for information to the Sub-Committee Coordinators when available.
Designation of a Coordinator for the Sub-Committee for Stock Assessment
94. Mr Jordi LLeonart informed the Committee that he would soon take over new functions that were incompatible with his present position as Coordinator of the SCSA.
95. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman expressed his appreciation for the dedication of Mr Lleonart while coordinating the most numerous group of SAC scientists and for the results obtained.
96. Considering that it was too short notice to co-opt a new Coordinator, the Committee appointed a small group of scientists, comprising of Messrs Lleonart, Oliver and Farrugio, to seek nominations for the position, and requested the group to perform the task until the Twenty-seventh Session of GFCM.
