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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species (WGSAD) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a benchmark session for the assessment of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in geographical subareas (GSAs) 16 and 17-18, at the FAO headquarters in Rome on 12–16 February 2024. The objectives of the session were: (1) to development a new benchmark assessment model for red mullet in GSA 16 and to complete the work and (2) finalise the benchmark process for red mullet in GSAs 17-18 by using the 2023 Stock Synthesis model as the starting point for further evaluations. Taking into account the impressive amount of work, the available data, the biology, prior knowledge of exploitation history and satisfying evaluation of comprehensive model diagnostics, the group, together with the external reviewer, agreed to benchmark the final Stock Synthesis base-case model for quantitative advice for red mullet in GSA 17-18. An impressive amount of work also led to development of an a4a base-case model for red mullet in GSA 16, which was judged to be sufficiently robust for providing quantitative advice, while the decision of benchmarking this model is pending a full update once new MEDITS data for GSA 16 become available. Considering the current GFCM framework for the provision of advice and general practice within the working group on stock assessment, the group proposed a unique fishing mortality reference point and limit, threshold and target reference points for biomass for quantitative advice relative to the reference year 2022. The stock status of both stocks of red mullet is quantitatively assessed sustainably exploited.