Fisheries in the western Mediterranean account for 22 percent of total landings in the GFCM area of application and have a substantial socio-economic impact on coastal communities in the subregion. To understand if these crucial fish stocks are sustainably exploited, stock assessments are conducted each year, forming the basis of scientific advice produced by the GFCM. 
 
Since 2016, the number of validated stock assessments in the western Mediterranean continues to increase. In 2018, almost 60 stock assessments were validated, compared to less than 40 just two years prior.  

To continue to strengthen stock assessments in the western Mediterranean and provide technical assistance in preparation for the upcoming Working Groups on Stock Assessment (WGSAs), the GFCM technical unit for the western Mediterranean is hosting a series of four online workshops:

• 29 November - 1 December | Collate and analyse fisheries data, as well as test new methods to assess the stock status of common dolphinfish (a highly valued migratory species targeted by small scale fisheries in Italy, Malta, Spain and Tunisia).
• 2 - 7 December | Address pending issues from the benchmark session of sardine in the Alboran Sea (Geographical Subareas 1, 2, 3 and 4) held in 2019. Perform an in-depth analysis of existing data for, and advancing towards, the selection of assessment models to be considered for the finalization of the benchmark.
• 15 -17 December | Experts from Algeria, Morocco and Spain will review data and discuss the possibility of further advancing towards assessments of the status of two demersal species stocks (European hake and deep-water rose shrimp) in the Alboran Sea, building on previous efforts.
• 12 - 14 January |Experts from Morocco and Spain will evaluate the blackspot seabream fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar to prepare the data for the updated assessment to be performed at the WGSAs in the framework of the current management plan in place.

Through initiatives like these workshops, the technical unit for the western Mediterranean is supporting the management of fisheries at the subregional level, considering the needs and specificities of the subregion. The technical unit in Malaga will continue to assist countries in effectively meeting their commitments to the GFCM and promote cooperation and dialogue on regional issues.

Each year at the WGSAs, stock assessment forms (SAFs) are produced containing essential information on estimates of fishing mortality, exploitation rate, spawning stock biomass and recruitment, and short-term projections. The SAFs determine the status of the stock and associated advice to be validated by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC).

Learn more about the upcoming WGSAs:

• 17 – 22 January | Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species (WGSASP)
• 17 – 29 January | Working Groups on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species (WGSAD)