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ABSTRACT

The SAC 26 (June 2025) reiterated the ecological and biological significance of the Cabliers coral mounds and it agreed to apply a step-by-step approach to define the core and buffer zones of a future FRA and emphasized the importance of continuing the collaborative work initiated during the intersession, including future capacity development opportunities. Importantly, an in-person expert workshop on VME indicator species distribution modelling was organised with a view to creating adequate species distribution maps with geographical coordinates that could support identifying FRA boundaries by the forty eighth annual session of the GFCM. The Workshop on species distribution models in the Cabliers sea mound area was organized on 7-9 October 2025 and was attended by experts nominated by Algeria, Morocco, Spain and EU-DGMARE. Data from the PROTEUS remotely operated vehicle (ROV) campaign in the Cabliers area were presented. Findings from the survey confirmed the ecological significance of the Cabliers coral mounds, revealing high biodiversity, aggregations of VME indicator species such as cold-water corals, and essential fish habitats, particularly for blackspot seabream and large crustaceans.A hands-on session on species distribution modelling (SDM) with R and QGIS was carried out during the workshop leading to the production of species distribution maps. Experts reviewed multiple modelling approaches and agreed that the combined results provided a robust scientific basis, producing a consistent map identifying the most important areas hosting Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems Indicator species in the Cabliers coral mounds. This georeferenced map is expected to support the 48th session of the Commission in discussing the core and buffer zones options for the FRA, in line with Resolution GFCM/47/2024/2.