PDF: English/French

ABSTRACT 

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) held its sixteenth session in St. Julian’s, Malta, from 17 to 20 March 2014. The session was attended by 18 Contracting Parties, 7 observers, representatives of the FAO regional projects and the GFCM Secretariat. The Committee reviewed the issues addressed at 15 meetings held during the 2013–2014 intersession, including those of the four subcommittees and the Framework Programme (FWP). The main issues tackled included: i) scientific advice on the status of stocks, including proposals to improve the advice provided to the Commission; ii) analysis of research activities by Member Countries; iii) updates on the development of the GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF); iv) updates on the development of management plans for Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and v) follow-up activities addressing SAC priorities, such as indicators on the state of marine populations, small-scale fisheries and the fight against IUU. The Committee highlighted the importance of establishing a GFCM DCRF and submitted its proposal for the consideration of the Commission. Also, it launched the preparation of a concept note for a regional programme on small scale fisheries, and provided elements for the management of red coral and a number of selected fisheries for the consideration of the Commission. The achievements of the Working Group on the Black Sea, including through its Subregional Group on Stock Assessment for the Black Sea, were appraised. The SAC also agreed on a framework for providing advice and formulated a set of recommendations regarding its functioning. Finally, it agreed upon its work plan for 2014–2015 and elected a new Bureau, paying tribute to the work done by the immediate past members of the Bureau.