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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species (WGSASP) was held at GFCM and FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy, on 7–12 November 2016. The main objectives of this 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 13 stock assessments and provided management advice for 8 of them. Sardine and anchovy were the main species assessed but attempts to assess sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) stocks were also conducted. The stock of sardine in GSAs 01 and 03 was the only stock considered as sustainably exploited (also when the assessment was done in GSA03 alone). Six other stocks were considered to be outside safe biological limits (either overexploited, in overexploitation, a combination of both, depleted, or ecologically unbalanced). For four other stocks (anchovy in GSA 01, GSA06 and GSA16, sardinella in GSA 26-27) the status of stocks was considered as uncertain, and for Coryphaena hippurus the analysis presented was considered only as an stock assessment exercise and no advice was provided.