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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species (WGSASP) was held in Rome, Italy, in hybrid modality, on 12–17 December 2022. The main objectives of the meeting were to: i) review the consistency of procedures to provide advice; ii) review the assessment of small pelagic stocks; and iii) run a hands-on data session to deal with methodological issues. The WGSASP reviewed 23 stock assessments. Validated advice was provided for 18 of these stocks, nine of which with quantitative advice and the remaining nine with qualitative precautionary advice. Four stocks were part of a benchmark process that will be completed in 2023 and no advice was given. One assessment was considered preliminary. Of the 18 validated assessments, nine indicated sustainable exploitation (anchovy in geographical subareas [GSAs] 6, 7, 9, 16, 20 and 22, sardine in GSA 9 and common dolphinfish in GSAs 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 19). One stock was considered sustainably exploited and ecologically unbalanced (sardine in GSA 7).