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ABSTRACT

The data preparation meeting on common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the central and western Mediterranean (GSAs 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21.1 and 26) was held on 27–31 October 2025 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in hybrid format. The meeting gathered 23 participants from Algeria, Egypt, Italy, Libya, Malta, Spain and Tunisia, together with experts from the GFCM Secretariat, with Algeria and Egypt taking part for the first time and thereby expanding the geographical coverage of the dolphinfish dataset. This meeting formed part of the benchmark assessment process, aiming to harmonize landings, effort, length-frequency, and biological information to prepare input for stock assessments. Substantial progress was achieved in reconstructing historical landings and reviewing the quality of available effort indicators, while the inclusion of new datasets strengthened the regional picture. Length-frequency information from all fleets was evaluated and considered adequate for integrated modelling, and discussions on biological parameters emphasized updated maturity and growth information, including the relevance of exploring a biphasic growth model. Preliminary standardized CPUE analyses from Spain, Italy and Malta were reviewed, with further work needed to standardize indices across areas. Additional efforts are required to finalize reconstructed datasets, harmonize CPUE series and develop reference case models for depletion, SPiCT and Stock Synthesis ahead of the forthcoming benchmark session.