This document reports on the FAO/WECAFC workshop on assessment of demersal stocks shared by Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela held in Chaguaramas (Trinidad) from 18 to 22 November 2002. The objectives of the workshop were to encourage assessment of shrimp stocks shared by Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, evaluate the impact of fishing on shrimp stocks and make recommendations for their management. Recommendations were made to the national fisheries departments of the two countries with regard to the minimum biological data requirements for continued assessment and management of the shrimp fisheries. Discussions were also held on: the available data that could be used in a future assessment of shared fish resources and in future bioeconomic analyses, and in planning the collaborative work to facilitate these assessments and analyses; the effects of changes in gear technology; and the future working plan for the ad hoc Working Group. Results were presented to fisheries managers of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela on the last day of the workshop. The main conclusion of the assessment carried out during the workshop – despite uncertainties concerning data gaps – is that some shrimp stocks are being severely overfished and are suffering from this overfishing. Two management recommendations were presented regarding the implementation of fisheries controls, and nine recommendations were proposed in order to better direct data collection and future research on the shrimp and groundfish fisheries including bioeconomic modelling.