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ABSTRACT

The Working Group on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Essential Fish Habitats (WGVME-EFH) was held at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy, in hybrid mode on 15–17 April 2026. It was attended by 90 experts from research institutes, universities, scientific museums, national administrations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, as well as participants from the European Commission Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE) and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Secretariat. The main objectives were to: i) review the fisheries restricted areas (FRAs) scientific monitoring programmes structured in a modular manner with a refined budget with modular components and cost ranges, separately for VME and EFH-FRA; ii) review the inclusion of the vulnerability score in the GFCM Database on sensitive benthic habitats and species as advised by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries in 2025; iii) discuss the potential effects of the extension of the deepwater FRA from 1 000 to 800 m considering socioeconomic and environmental evidence; iv) review new information on VMEs occurrence, including the identification of priority areas for potential protection; v) review new information on the occurrence of EFH; vi) review any new proposal of FRAs, including the revised FRA proposal for the northern Adriatic Sea (geographical subarea [GSA] 17) and the proposal in eastern Mediterranean (GSA 24). The WGVME‑EFH reviewed the functioning of the vulnerability score applied to the GFCM Database on sensitive benthic habitats and species and recommended to continue with capacity development activities to enlarge the spatial scope of the database. Regarding the FRA scientific monitoring plans, it also proposed exploring cheapest options to monitor VME-FRAs. Based on the evidence presented and discussions held, it formulated recommendations on the expansion of the 1 000 m FRA to 800 m as well as on the possible deep‑sea fisheries management approach between 600 and 800 m depth. The meeting also compiled a preliminary list of possible VME and EFH priority areas by subregion, including seamounts. The meeting also provided its advice regarding the FRA proposals presented. The meeting also reviewed initial work towards the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystem indicators applicable to the Black Sea, with a view to strengthening the scientific basis for future spatial management advice within the framework of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Black Sea.