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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The second meeting of the joint General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)-UN Environment/Mediterranean Action Plan (UN Environment/MAP) subregional pilot study for the Eastern Mediterranean on non-indigenous species (NIS) in relation to fisheries was held in Chania, Greece, on 5 March 2018. The objectives of the meeting were to: i) list and compile knowledge in terms of monitoring and priorities; and ii) discuss the monitoring plan in order to compile information for both data assessment and the provision of advice on fisheries management as required by the GFCM. The meeting took stock of the information available in Eastern Mediterranean in terms of distribution, abundance and impacts of NIS as well as on the progress achieved since the first meeting of the joint GFCM-UN Environment/MAP subregional pilot study for the Eastern Mediterranean on NIS. The draft subregional monitoring plan for NIS was also updated in light of the discussions held during the session, including proposals on: i) the sources of data; ii) the main observation platforms; and iii) proposed indicators. Participants agreed to submit this new proposal to the GFCM (including the Subregional Committee for Eastern Mediterranean and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries) and UN Environment/MAP (Correspondence Group on Monitoring biodiversity).