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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The eighth meeting of the Subregional Committee for the Central Mediterranean (SRC-CM) was held in Palermo, Italy, in hybrid modality, on 8–10 April 2025. 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 with relation to demersal fisheries in the Strait of Sicily, deep-water red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antennatus) fisheries in the Strait of Sicily and the Ionian Sea, and common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Mediterranean; ii) identify priority topics for the subregion, including with relation to data collection, the provision of advice and the implementation of management measures; and iii) prepare a draft workplan to address priority issues for consideration by the SAC. In particular, the SRC-CM formulated draft advice on issues related to fisheries in the subregion, such as the monitoring of central Mediterranean stocks and fisheries, the assessment of the effectiveness of multiannual management plans, the management of demersal fisheries in the Strait of Sicily, deep-water red shrimp fisheries in the Strait of Sicily and the Ionian Sea and common dolphinfish fisheries in the Mediterranean, including a new fishery development plan, as well as the identification of conservation priority areas hosting essential fish habitats and/or vulnerable marine ecosystems. Finally, the workplan for 2025–2027 was discussed and agreed upon.