EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and related control systems in the GFCM area of application was held on 2-3 May 2017 in Athens, Greece. The discussions in this meeting centered on the phased development of a regional control system, building upon the technical standards and requirements provided for in recommendation GFCM/2009/33/7 on the establishment of VMS in the GFCM area of application. Experts in attendance presented the most recent developments with regard to the application of VMS and the use of monitoring, control and surveillance technology whereas the GFCM Secretariat outlined progress made in the context of the pilot regional study for a VMS and control system based on a modular approach which simultaneously encompasses both industrial and small-scale fishing vessels. In response to the Commission’s request to assess the feasibility of developing a regional control system in particular, expert insights into how setting up such a system at the regional level were provided and discussed. It was expected that the pilot regional study would be continued in the future and, to this end, inputs and guidance were provided by the Working Group. Future steps for the control of demersal fisheries in the Strait of Sicily were addressed in the context of the ad-hoc session convened to evaluate progress made by relevant CPCs. A project for a joint operational and deployment inspection plans was presented by the EU and work towards coordinated controls in the Strait of Sicily was considered in light of the provisions in recommendation GFCM/40/2016/4 establishing a multiannual management plan for the fisheries exploiting European hake and deep-water rose shrimp in the Strait of Sicily (GSA 12 to 16).