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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The fifth meeting of the Subregional Committee for the Central Mediterranean (SRC-CM)1 was held online on 11–14 April 2022. The aims of the meeting were to: i) compile relevant information on the status of central Mediterranean fisheries and provide advice to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC), including on urgent actions towards sustainability and following the requests made by the Commission, in particular in relation to demersal fisheries in the Strait of Sicily and deep-water red shrimp fisheries in the Strait of Sicily and the Ionian sea; ii) identify priority topics for the subregion, including in relation to data collection, provision of advice and implementation of management measures; and iii) prepare a draft work plan to address priority issues for the consideration of the SAC.

The SRC-CM formulated draft advice on issues related to fisheries in the subregion, including small-scale and recreational fisheries, the monitoring of central Mediterranean fisheries, the identification of conservation priority areas hosting essential fish habitats and/or vulnerable marine ecosystems as well as a summary of the status of the stocks, the assessment and management of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapaeneus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily as well as deep-water red shrimp in the Strait of Sicily and the Ionian sea. The work plan for 2022 – 2024 was discussed and approved.