J: Summary of Fisheries Management Recommendations and of Main Research Activities to be carried out during the forthcoming Intersessional Period

1) SAC MEETINGS IN 2003*

* The meetings of the Working Group of each Sub-Committee are included in the tables below.

MEETING	DATE/VENUE	FINANCING
Sixth Session of SAC	TBD, Mid June 2003	TBD
Sub-Committees'meetings	TBD, May 2003	TBD
Coordinating Group of the Sub-Committees	TBD, May 2003	TBD
Workshop to finalize the glossary	TBD	TBD
Joint SAC/CAQ/ICCAT Working Group on the Technical Guidelines for Sustainable Tuna Farming	TBD	TBD

2) SUB-COMMITEE ON STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

Meetings	Objectives	Dates	Venue
Joint Working Group SCIS/SCES	* Etablishing the SAC data base on Operational Units	* Prior to GFCM Session	TBD

Priority Research related activities:

Undertake an inventory and assess the validity of all databases in various sytems (e.g: COPEMED; ADRIAMED, ITAFISH, FAO/FIDI) and report on necessary steps to establish a GFCM information system;
Assist the GFCM Secretariat to establish those segments of the database which could be currently maintained by the Secretary, taking into consideration SIPAM related structure;
Pursue cooperation with FIGIS on issues of common concern, including on list of stocks and fisheries to be monitored;
Follow-up on MEDIFIS project formulation and implementation.

3) SUB-COMMITEE ON MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEMS

Meetings	Objectives	Dates	Venue
Working Group on anthropogenic effects and fishing technology	* to determine parameters which affect fish habitats and analyse bio-ecologic forms; * to investigate on artificial reefs and protected areas; * to analyse impact of fishing gears; contaminants and waste material.	TBD	TBD
Working Group on ecology and environment	* to investigate on life cycles; consumption rates and behaviour; * to follow-up on ecosystem approach, biodiversity and genetics.	TBD	TBD

Priority Research related activities:

To pursue the collection of data on fish habitat;
To promote and assess national action plans on shark monitoring in cooperation with UNEP RAC/SPA and other institutions of the Barcelona Convention;
To set-up a database on ongoing projects related to fisheries and marine environment.

4) SUB-COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Meetings	Objectives	Dates	Venue
Joint SCSI/SCESS Working Group on Operational Units	* Establishing SAC database on operational units * Processing socio-economic indicators in the database on operational units	* prior to the 27th session of GFCM	Rome
Working Group on Socio-Economic Indicators	* Review and testing of the field manual on sampling techniques and survey. * Assessment of progress on economic and social indicators. * Assessment of potential use of economic and social indicators in simulation modelling.	* Février 2003

Priority Research related activities:

Pursue analysis initiative by COPEMED and ADRIAMED on legal aspects of management measures for the Mediterranean;
Promote studies on economic and social indicators in all GFCM areas;
Initiate studies on labour market, migratory flux and gender issues.

5) SUB-COMMITEE FOR STOCK ASSESSMENT

Meetings	Objectives	Dates	Venue
Working Group on Demersal Species	* Assessment of demersal stocks focusing on priortiy species and shared stocks	* Feb.2003	Morocco ?
Working Group on Pelagic Species	* Assessment of pelagic stocks focusing on priortiy species and shared stocks	* Feb.2003	Morocco
Joint GFCM/ICCAT Working Group on Large Pelagics	Assessment of prioritary large pelagic species	TBD	TBD

Priority Research related activities

Comparative studies of the maturity of swordfish between the eastern and wester Mediterranean;
Collection of fishery independent data on bluefin abundance via larval and aerial surveys;
Follow-up to management recommendation on demersal and small pelagic species;
Comparative studies on length at first maturity of anchovy;
Follow-up methodological discussions and related reference points.