Report of the Fourth Virtual Meeting of the CFMC/WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM Working Group on Spawning Aggregations, 9–10 November 2020
Fish Spawning Aggregations (FSAs) are very important as they are the sole reproductive event, and face a global challenge for being reduced in both number and size, threatening the continued existence of the species, along with the livelihood of fishing communities with a multiplier effect on the economics, social cohesion and survival of benthic areas. Efforts have been made to reduce and reverse their decline but are insufficient. It is against this backdrop that the Regional Fish Spawning Aggregation Draft Fishery Management Plan (FSAMP) was developed at the request of the Working Group. The goals of the 4th meeting of the SAWG are to address any comments received from members and partners on the draft FSAMP, as well as to provide updates on the communications strategy and advance implementation of Recommendation WECAFC/XVII/2019/24 adopted at the 17th Session of WECAFC (WECAFC 17).