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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The latest assessment presented at the Working Group on Stock Assessment in Demersal Species(WGSAD) in 2023 for the Norway lobster in GSAs 17–18 (jointly) for reference year 2021, revealed that the stock is possibly overexploited, and reduction of fishing mortality was recommended. Following the presented developments and the difficult task of adequately evaluating a model of such complexity but also acknowledging the need to have an assessment of the stock in the context of the Multiannual Management Plan for demersal species in the Adriatic Sea, the benchmark process has been launched towards formulating quantitative advice for Norway lobster in GSAs 17–18. The benchmark Data Preparation meetings were held in two sessions. Session I was held online from 4 to 7 February 2025 and dedicated to discussions and analyses concerning the input data required for the upcoming benchmark assessment. The group explored the available fisheries-dependent and -independent data, discussing the spatial distribution of species in terms of connectivity and exploitations patterns. Based on this the group agreed on the main principles and the appropriate model structures. Session II was held from 24 to 28 March in Rome, Italy, where the group continued the exploration of the data, focusing on the distribution and connectivity of the sub-units. The group also discussed the survey data, including impact of the Jabuka/Pomo fisheries restricted area (FRA).