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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The data preparation meeting on common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the in central and western Mediterranean (Geographical subareas [GSAs] 05, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19) was held on 25–29 November 2024 at the FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy. The meeting was attended by 12 participants from Italy, Libya, Malta, Spain and Tunisia, as well as from the Secretariat of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. The data preparation meeting for the Benchmark of dolphinfish in the western and central Mediterranean seeks to address critical data gaps in preparation for a full benchmark assessment, while ensuring the effective implementation of transitional measures under the newly adopted management plan (Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/14). In this context, the main objective of this meeting was to gather, harmonize, and analyse fishery-dependent data at the national and fleet levels, along with biological information on dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea, to support this ongoing assessment. Significant progress was made, including the compilation of historical landings data, the refinement of fishing effort metrics, and preliminary analyses of length frequency distributions and biological parameters. Libya’s contributions were notable, adding to the understanding of regional dynamics. The group recognized the need for further work to prepare the input data and set the stock assessment reference cases before facing the Benchmark session.