GFCM/XXVII/2002/5





GENERAL FISHERIES COMMISSION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

Twenty-seventh Session

Rome, Italy, 19 - 22 November 2002

PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE INTERSESSIONAL PERIOD 2003-2004

INTRODUCTION

1. The programme of work proposed in this paper emanates from the Fifth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Third Session of the Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ).

2. The activities suggested reflect the needs and priorities identified by the Working Groups, Sub-Committees, Networks and cooperating regional organizations. It is understood that the funding of these activities will have to be identified by the Commission.

PROGRAMME OF WORK IDENTIFIED BY THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

3. The following includes the main activities for the intersessional period 2003 which were identified by the four Sub-committees of SAC and endorsed by the Committee at its Fifth Session.

A. Stock Assessment

Large Pelagic Stocks

a) Tuna-like stocks

  • collection by countries of data on best estimates of catches, CPUE and size composition of tuna-like stocks, and transmission of these data to ICCAT on a timely basis.

    b) Bluefin tuna

  • continuation of studies on the migratory behaviour of bluefin tuna by tagging method;

  • collection of fishery data on Bluefin abundance via larval and aerial surveys;

  • contribution to the collection and analysis of data on bluefin farming (inputs and outputs to fattening operations).

    c) Swordfish

  • studies comparing the maturity of swordfish in the Eastern and the Western Mediterranean.

    d) collection of detailed catch and operational information about the fisheries using various gears encompassed by the "drift net" category.

    Small Pelagic and Demersal Stocks

    a) give priority at the Working Group level to updating the assessment of shared small pelagic and demersal stocks, yearly ;

    b) follow-up to management recommendation on demersal and small pelagic species;

    c) follow-up methodological work on stock assessment and related reference points.

    B. Economic and Social Sciences

    a) Economic and social indicators:

  • organize a third meeting of the Working Group on social and economic indicators;

  • promote studies on economic and social indicators in all GFCM geographical sub-areas;

  • finalize the manual on sampling techniques (covering the Neyman and Bethel methods) for the collection of economic and social data and initiate training accordingly;

    b) Studies and analysis:

  • undertake pilot studies and analysis to further define the concept of local operational units (LOUs);

  • review the studies initiated by COPEMED and ADRIAMED on "Legal aspects of management measures"and extend the analysis to Eastern Mediterranean and the Black sea;

  • complete the study undertaken by ADRIAMED on the "Review of professional fishery associations" to cover the Western and Eastern Mediterranean;

  • initiate studies on labour markets and migratory flux;

  • pursue bio-economic analysis, including more widespread application of bio-economic models suitable for Mediterranean fisheries.

    c) database:

  • pursue work on the GFCM glossary through the network of social scientists, by e-mail as a first step, and through a meeting to update outputs, as a second step;

  • collect through the network of Mediterranean social scientists, the information on regional and national projects and activities related to fishery social sciences in the Mediterranean, and consolidate the pilot data base on bibliographical references following the agreed standard format.

    C. Fishery Statistics and Information

    a) monitor the implementation of the regional project MEDIFISIS (Mediterranean fishery statistics and information system) ;

    b) continue work on the development of the virtual library of scientific literature with the support of COPEMED, ADRIAMED and MEDSUDMED projects ;

    c) carry out an inventory all databases in various systems (e.g. : COPEMED; ADRIAMED; ITAFISH; FAO/FIDI) and advise on the progressive tranfer of those data bases which could be maintained by the GFCM Secretariat ;

    d) pursue cooperation with FIGIS on issues of common concern, including on stocks and fisheries previously agreed to be monitored ;

    e) convene a meeting of the joint ad hoc SCISS/SCESS Working Group on Operational Units and establish a related data base ;

    f) convene a meeting of a Joint SAC/CAQ/ICCAT ad hoc Working Group on Technical Guidelines for Sustainable Tuna Farming/Fattening.

    D. Marine Environment and Ecosystems

    a) pursue investigations on the effect of fishing gear on non-target species, biological communities, fish habitat and other relevant environmental parameters ;

    b) undertake studies on the influence of environmental factors on priority fisheries ;

    c) follow-up on the FAO Expert Consultation on Ecosystem Approach to fisheries management ;

    d) promote and assess national action plans on shark monitoring in cooperation with UNEP RAC/SPA and other institutions of the Barcelona Convention ;

    e) pursue work towards establishing a database on ongoing projects related to fisheries and marine environment ;

    f) organize meetings : of: the ad hoc Working Group on Anthropogenic effects and fishing technology, and of the ad hoc Working Group on Ecology and environment;

    g) convene a meeting of experts during the next Sub-Committee's meeting to finalize the components of the GFCM Glossary related to environment and marine ecosystems.

    MEETINGS PROPOSED FOR THE NEXT INTERSESSIONAL PERIOD

    4. The following meetings were proposed by SAC:

    Meeting Date/Venue1 Financing
    Sixth Session of SAC Venue: TBD Date: Mid June 2003 TBD
    Meetings of SAC Sub-committees Venue: TBD Date: May 2003 -
    Coordinating Group of the Sub-committees Venue: TBD Date: May, 2003 -
    Workshop to finalize the Glossary Venue: TBD Date: TBD -
    Joint SAC/CAQ/ICCAT Working Group on the Technical Guidelines for Sustainable Tuna farming/fattening Venue: TBD Date : TBD TBD
    SCESS Working Group on Socio-Economic Indicators Venue: TBD Date: February 2003 -
    Joint SCSI/SCESS Working Group on Operational Units Venue: TBD Date: TBD TBD
    SCSA Working Group on Demersal Species Venue: Morocco 2 Date: February 2003 -
    SCSA Working Group on Small Pelagic Species Venue: Morocco Date: February 2003 -
    Joint GFCM/ICCAT Working Group on Large Pelagics Venue: TBD Date: TBD TBD
    SCMEE Working Group on anthropogenic effects and fishing technology Venue: TBD Date: TBD -
    SCMEE Working Group on ecology and environment Venue: TBD Date: TBD -

    PROGRAMME OF WORK IDENTIFIED BY THE THIRD SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE

    5. At its Third Session, the Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) agreed upon its work programme for the next intersessional period (2003-2004). In doing so, it identified "transversal" activities which encompass the work of the three Networks and specific activities, respectively for SIPAM, and for SELAM and TECAM.

    A. Transversal activities

    6. These includes the following.

  • The participation of selected experts from the CAQ Networks at the Consultation on Interactions between Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture which would be organized in cooperation with ADRIAMED early 2003. Funding to support the participation of CAQ representatives to the event would need to be identified.

  • Two Workshops on Bio-indicators of Sustainability for Aquaculture Production in the Mediterranean to be organized respectively in 2003 and in 2004. These meetings will build on the results of the Expert consultation on Indicators of sustainable aquaculture development organized by the FAO Fisheries Department, in September 2001, and on the guidelines prepared accordingly. The first workshop will be hosted by France and the second eventually by Italy, subject to confirmation by the relevant authorities.

  • A multidisciplinary participation of experts from the CAQ networks to the meeting(s) of the Joint GFCM (SAC/CAQ)/ICCAT Working Group on Tuna Farming/Fattening. This activity will include ensuring liaison and developing synergies with the project on Domestication of Thunnus thynnus thynnus (DOTT).

  • Formulation of an updated version of the Regional project on "Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Mediterranean" and its submission to potential donors.

  • Preparation of a comprehensive assessment on trends of Mediterranean aquaculture, including prospective analysis for selected species, based on SIPAM data complemented as necessary with information from other sources.

    7. The schedule of the "transversal" meetings of the Committee during the intersession is summarized as follows :

    Meetings of the Committee

    Meeting

    Date

    Place

    Duration (Days)

    Working Language

    Cost (US$)

    Financed by

    CAQ Biannual Session

    June 2004

    Egypt?

    3/4

    4

    40.000

    Egypt?

    1st Workshop on Bio-indicators for Sustainable Aquaculture

    2003

    France

    3

    1

    TBD

    France

    2nd Workshop on Bio-indicators for Sustainable Aquaculture

    2004

    Italy?

    3

    1

    TBD

    Italy?

    Joint GFCM (SAC/CAQ)/ICCAT Working Group on Tuna farming/fattening

    2003

    TBD

    TBD

    1

    TBD

    TBD

    Consultation on Interaction between Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture

    2003

    TBD

    TBD

    1

    TBD

    ADRIAMED / ?

    B. SIPAM activities

    8. For the next intersessional period the SIPAM network will convene a meeting each year of the National Coordinators as well as yearly meetings of the Steering Committee. Concerning the former, it should be noted that the meeting of the National Coordinators due to be held in 2002 still needed to be convened. Morocco has reiterated its offer to host the event in Casablanca.

    9. The activities of SIPAM in this intersessional period will also include the production of output formats and reports for the FAO based FIGIS system and the finalization of the interphase between the two systems. During 2003 and 2004, efforts will be pursued at linking Bulgaria, Israel, Slovenia and Syria, into the SIPAM network. In addition, organisational support will be given to improve, in quality and quantity, the flow of information between the member countries and the Regional Centre, with emphasis on processing market information and on strengthening the pathology data base.

    10. The Regional Centre with support from the GFCM Secretariat will also investigate the possibility to increase technical support to the Network through securing the services of an expert in the field of communication.

    11. The schedule of SIPAM meetings during the intersession is summarized in the table below.

    Meetings of the SIPAM Network

    Meeting

    Date and Place

    Financed by

    Annual Meeting

    2002 - Casablanca, Morocco

    Morocco and National contributions

    Annual Meeting

    2003 - TBD

    TBD

    Annual Meeting

    2004 - TBD

    TBD

    Steering Committee

    2003 - Rome, Italy

    FAO / Others

    Steering Committee

    2004 - Rome, Italy

    FAO / Others

    TECAM and SELAM

    12. The TECAM and SELAM networks coordinated by CIHEAM with the collaboration of the FAO Fisheries Department, will continue providing training in the region with due consideration to the need of participants from non -EU countries. In addition, CIHEAM will continue to undertake surveys and analysis of aquaculture emerging issues through workshops and seminars. The networks will also pursue efforts in consolidating or establishing relationships with other national institutions and regional associations.

    13. In addition to the yearly meeting of the TECAM/SELAM Coordinating Committee, the activities proposed for the next intersessional period would include the following :

    Activities of TECAM/SELAM Networks3

    Meeting

    Date and Place

    Financed by

    TECAM Course on "Advances in Fish Reproduction and their Application on Broodstock Management"

    3-7 February 2003 - Zaragoza / Castellon, Spain

    CIHEAM / CSIC

    TECAM Seminar on the "Use of Vaccines and Chemotherapy in Mediterranean Aquaculture"

    May 2003 - Izmir, Turkey

    CIHEAM / FAO / MARA (Turkey)

    TECAM Seminar on "Recirculation Systems and their Application in Aquaculture"

    October 2003 -Montpellier, France?

    CIHEAM / FAO / IFREMER ?

    SELAM Workshop on "Traceability of Aquaculture Products"

    TBD

    CIHEAM / FAO / EU?

    Course on "Offshore Mariculture"

    TBD

    CIHEAM / FAO / ?

    Seminar on "Finfish Species Diversification"

    TBD

    CIHEAM / FAO / ?

    SELAM seminar on "Aquaculture Legislation in Mediterranean countries"

    TBD

    CIHEAM / FAO / ?

    SELAM workshop on "Coastal Zonation for Aquaculture Development Purposes"

    TBD

    CIHEAM / FAO / ?

    TECAM advanced course/seminar on "Recent Developments in Mollusc Hatcheries Technique"'.

    TBD

    CIHEAM / FAO / ?

    Updating of the TECAM "Survey on Mediterranean Aquaculture Diagnostic Laboratories"

    2004

    CIHEAM / FAO

    14. In addition to the list of meetings of SAC and CAQ referred to above, the convening of the Twenty-eighth Session of GFCM should be considered.

    SUGGESTED ACTION BY THE COMMISSION

    15. The Commission is invited to consider the activities and meetings proposed by the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Committee on Aquaculture. The Commission may wish to take relevant decisions on these matters, including prioritization of activities and identification of related funding requirements.

    1 TBD: to be determined.

    2 If this meeting is held back-to-back with the SCSA Working Group on Small Pelagic Species, Morocco indicated willingness to host/finance both meetings.

    3 Based on the availability of technical resources and combined funding of CIHEAM-IAMZ and the FAO Fisheries Department as well as on the potential interest of other partners/donors (e.g. EAS, EC or other national institutions) the proposed work plan may require small changes and possibly include other activities also identified by the Networks Coordination Committee Meeting.