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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The benchmark session for the assessment of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in geographical subareas (GSAs) 17–18 of the Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species (WGSAD)  was held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in hybrid modality, from 11 to 15 March 2024. The objective of the meeting was to perform a full analysis and review of the information and methods used to provide advice on the status of the stocks, focusing on the considerations of old and new data sources as well as old and new – or improved – assessment models and assumptions. 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 agreed to benchmark the final Stock Synthesis base-case model for quantitative advice. This decision was endorsed by the external reviewers. In light of this, and 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 European hake GSAs 17–18 is quantitatively assessed to be overexploited and in overexploitation with an associated advice to Reduce fishing mortality immediately.