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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Working Group on Small-Scale Fisheries (WGSSF) was held online on 20–21 March 2024. The aims of the meeting were to: i) assess the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (RPOA-SSF); ii) enhance the scientific monitoring of small-scale fisheries (SSF) activities; iii) promote participatory management approaches for SSF; iv) examine issues related to SSF and climate and environment; v) examine issues related to SSF and value chain, the role of women and generational turnover; vi) reflect on the way forward in the implementation of the RPOA-SSF, including proposed changes to the RPOA-SSF monitoring framework; and vii) prepare a draft work plan to address priority issues for the consideration of the subregional committees and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC). The WGSSF formulated conclusions and recommendations, among others, on improving SSF stakeholder engagement; on supporting the implementation of a two-pronged approach for SSF management, including on the one hand enhancing data to improve stock assessments of key species and, on the other hand, encouraging participatory approaches to fisheries management; on better evaluating the impact of SSF on discards and the incidental catch of vulnerable species; on supporting the decarbonization of the SSF sector; on enhancing knowledge of SSF value chains to better understand drivers of fisher behaviour and support management efforts; on facilitating the submission of gender-disaggregated data; and on fostering generational turnover, including through enhanced training opportunities. The WGSSF also agreed on a work plan for 2024–2025.