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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 17–21 February 2025 online. The meeting was attended by 13 participants from Italy, Libya, Malta, Spain and Tunisia, as well as from the Secretariat of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. This meeting was part of the ongoing benchmark assessment process aimed at improving data quality and implementing transitional measures under the newly adopted management plan (Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/14). The aim of this meeting was to conduct an in-depth review of landings, fishing effort, length frequency distributions, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) trends, alongside biological data, to prepare input for stock assessments. Significant progress was made in reconstructing historical landings and refining fishing effort indicators, with Libya’s contributions providing valuable insights into regional stock dynamics. Preliminary SPiCT trials assessed the impact of nominal CPUEs from Italy, Spain, and Malta. Standardizing CPUEs, particularly regarding overlapping periods between fish aggregating devices (FADs) and longlines, is expected to improve model reliability. Further work is needed to finalize CPUE standardization and establish stock assessment model reference in preparation for the benchmark session.