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ABSTRACT

The Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species (WGSASP) session on small pelagics in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17–18), was carried out in Ancona, Italy, in hybrid modality from 11 to 15 May 2026. The main objectives of this meeting were to update the assessments of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) based on year n-1 data (reference year 2025) as requested by Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20 on a multiannual management plan for the sustainable exploitation of small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17 and 18). Based on data provided by relevant contracting parties for 2025 (year n-1), the assessments were updated with an extra year of data and quantitative advice was provided for both species. For anchovy results of the revised benchmark showed that the stock maintained a level of biomass above the limit and the precautionary reference points (B/Bpa = 1.1, B/Blim = 1.43), while fishing mortality has been decreasing below the F target value (F/Fmsy = 0.98). For sardine results of the benchmark update showed that the stock biomass continued to decline and it reached a level below the limit reference point (B/Bmsy = 0.25, B/Bpa = 0.5, B/Blimit = 0.84), while fishing mortality remains well above F at the maximum sustainable yield (F/Fmsy = 2.39).