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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and related control systems, including an ad hoc session on integrated monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) measures for select key fisheries was held on 16–17 July 2019 in Tirana, Albania. Discussions addressed the progress towards the strengthening of MCS in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) area of application, considering the need for full implementation by the contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties (CPCs), enhanced monitoring of GFCM fisheries restricted areas, the progress on the use of automatic identification system (AIS) data and MCS technologies tailored to small-scale fisheries. Finally, a specific session was devoted to integrated MCS measures adopted by the GFCM and being operationalized with the technical assistance of European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in close coordination with relevant riparian countries in the Mediterranean Sea.