The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) held its eleventh session in Marrakech, Morocco, from 1 to 5 December 2008. The session was attended by delegates from 18 Members of the Commission. The session appraised the achievements by its subsidiary bodies, the activities of the regional projects to support GFCM as well as the outcome of the Coordinating Meeting of the Sub-Committees (CMSC). It acknowledged the progress to impr ove the stock assessment process notably through undertaking joint stock assessment of hake (Merluccius merluccius) and small pelagic species and harmonizing protocols to undertake surveys at sea. The Committee took note of progress achieved in the framework of data collection and processing through Task 1 and STATLANT 37A form. It also noted the progress made on issues such as GFCM logbook and promoting activities and knowledge on the ecosystem approach to fisheries, recreational fish eries, gear selectivity and bycatch. SAC further reviewed fishery management proposals emanating from its Sub-Committees and formulated related advice with regard to: i) management of demersal and small pelagic fisheries; ii) implementation of the 40-mm square mesh; iii) establishment of a new fisheries restricted area in the Golf of Lions; iv) establishment of a Regional fleet register. It also suggested to amend some GFCM decisions, gave guidance regarding the activities of the Joint GFCM/ICCAT [International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas] Working Group on Large Pelagic Species and endorsed suggestions concerning the update of the SAC glossary and the priority species list, and identified actions to address the issue of monitoring the fishing capacity. The Committee agreed upon its workplan for 2009.