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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species (WGSAD) was held online on 17–21 January 2022 (western Mediterranean stocks) and 24–28 January 2022 (central and eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea stocks). The main objectives of this meeting were to: i) review the consistency of procedures to provide advice; ii) review the assessment of demersal stocks; and iii) run a hands-on data session to deal with methodological issues.

Out of the 60 assessments presented, 51 assessments were validated: 45 were accepted as providing quantitative advice, while six were considered as providing qualitative advice. Some of the assessments were accomplished within the framework of the relevant working groups of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries of the European Commission. Of the 51 accepted assessments, ten indicated sustainable exploitation: Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in geographical subareas (GSAs) 5 and 10; red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in GSAs 9, 10, 16, 22 and 24; spottail mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis) in GSA 17; horned octopus (Eledone chirrhosa) in GSA 18; and brown comber (Serranus cabrilla) in GSA 25.