INTRODUCTION

1.                   The four Sub-Committees of GFCM/SAC met simultaneously at the CSCI-Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona (Spain) from 6 to 9 May 2002.

2.                   Globally the number of experts who participated at the various Working Groups and the Sub-Committees has slightly increased compared with last year. However, the lack of scientists and related scarcity of studies to cover activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea were noticed with disappointment by all the Sub-Committees.

3.                   The programme of work decided upon by the Twenty-sixth Session of the Commission and related to the work of these Sub-Committees has been satisfactorily implemented.� The work of the Sub-Committee on Statistics and Information and the Sub-Committee on Marine Environment and Ecosystem was not supported by any Working Group during the intersessional period and this might have affected expected achievements.

SUB-COMMITTEE ON STOCK ASSESSMENT

4.                   The Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) endorsed 19 of the assessments presented by its Working Groups on demersal species and on small pelagic species (March 2002, Rome, Italy). These include five demersal and two small pelagic species within ten GFCM geographical sub-areas[1]. SCSA also reviewed the report of the sixth Session of the GFCM/ICCAT Working Group on large pelagic species (April, 2002, Malta) and endorsed its conclusions and recommendations.

Large pelagic species

5.                   In relation to Bluefin Tuna fisheries, the SCSA recommended that:

�                new biological data and length-weight relationship presented should be considered as preliminary and that the current biological parameters used in assessment by ICCAT should be maintained;

�                statistics on original size data should be provided and raised or otherwise provided data should be accompanied by an explanation of the process used;

�                conversion factors to trade data should be applied in all cases for consistency, except for data resulting from farmed belly meat products;

�                re-export data, available since 1999, should be included in the estimation of unreported catches, unless the importation was reported to ICCAT by the first country;

�                in view of the current difficulty to implement a full-scale assessment of the East Atlantic-Mediterranean stock (scheduled for July 2002), it was suggested that simpler methods and approaches (e.g. simulation) be conducted in order to estimate at least an abundance trend for the stock.

6.                   In relation to the fisheries of Swordfish, the SCSA expressed the view and recommended that:

�                comparisons of results concerning growth and maturity between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea cannot be easily made because the various past studies are based on different data sets and do not always follow similar methodological approaches. Results of a preliminary assessment of the central and eastern Mediterranean stock suggest a relatively stable recruitment and exploitation patterns. SCRS/ICCAT should examine the possibility of conducting a tentative assessment in the near future.

7.                   With regard to other large pelagic species: SCSA stressed the need to obtain more information on Albacore. It recommended that source of funding should be explored to support a consistent collection of shark statistics as well.

8.                   The issue of Bluefin tuna fattening (BFF) was high on the Agendas of the GFCM/ICCAT Working Group and of SCSA. There was agreement that BFF operations significantly affect data collection and stock assessment procedure for the species. Possible solution to limit BFF adverse impact (on statistics; with regard to biology; on management; on environment; as well as social and economic aspects) was identified.

9.                   As a result, the SCSA recommended that :

�                An ad hoc Working Group of SAC be established with the mandate of elaborating a draft code of conduct on sustainable tuna fattening practices in the Mediterranean. The participation of ICCAT scientists in this Working Group was called for;

�                Common definitions be adopted for terminology relating to this activity, if possible with the help of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP). To this end, it is recommended that those responsible for the FAO, GFCM and ICCAT Glossaries collaborate in order to agree on common definitions;

�                data on Bluefin fattening� should be reported to ICCAT;

�                GFCM was invited to include, the following migratory sharks species, Prionace glauca, Lamna nasus and Isurus oxyrinchu, on its list of priority species.

�                an evaluation of dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Western Mediterranean should be carried out.

10.               It was further recommended that :

�                ICCAT Secretariat and FAO continue to collaborate closely for improving their catch data bases, while attempting to minimize duplication of work by national scientists;

�                detailed catch and operational information about tuna and tuna-like species be submitted by all countries, in order to facilitate the standardization of data with regard to the various gears included in the drift nets category.

Demersal Species

11.               The Sub-Committee endorsed in particular the following findings and recommendations:

�                For Merluccius merluccius in Geographical sub-area 9:� to reduce by at least 15% the fishing effort on a multi-annual basis; this should be complemented with strengthened efforts in protecting nursery areas where juveniles are concentrated during the whole year.

�                For Mullus barbatus in Geographical sub-area 9: to reduce fishing effort through the enforcement of a seasonal fishing ban within the period late summer-early autumn.

�                For Aristeomorpha foliacea in Geographical sub-area 11: fishing effort should not be increased.

�                For Merluccius merluccius in Geographical sub-area 7: fishing effort by longline and gillnets should be reduced through establishing temporary closures during the period of maximum spawning, or by reducing time at sea, and/or fishing boats, and/or engine power. Concurrently, length at first capture should be increased.

�                For Aristeus antennatus in Geographical sub-areas 1, 5, and 6: the optimum effort should be half of the current one for females and three quarters on males. Combined males and females assessments were also recommended.

Small Pelagics

12.               The Sub-Committee endorsed most of the recommendations of the Working Group on small-pelagic as follows.

�                Engraulis encrasicolus in Geographical sub-areas 1, 6, 7 and 17 : the current level of fishing effort should be maintained;

�                Engraulis encrasicolus in Geographical sub-area 22 : the Working Group should extend the study area, include the whole spawning ground of the stock and standardize the methodology;

�                Sardina pilchardus in Geographical sub-areas 6 and 17: current level of fishing effort should not be increased while discard at sea should be closely monitored;

�                Sardina pilchardus in Geographical sub-area 3 : further analysis should be carried out;

�                Sardina pilchardus in Geographical sub-areas 20 and 22: a long-term programme on biomass estimation should be organized and conducted.

13.               The SCSA also reviewed assessments carried out by the SAMED project based on MEDITS which included 3 species in 15 Geographic sub-areas and endorsed recommendations on: temporal closure and effort limitation for Merluccius merluccius; on technical improvements for reducing the impact of trawl doors and avoiding catches of small individuals with regard to Nephrops norvegicus; and on the implemention of temporary closures and shallow waters protection measures for Mullus barbatus.

14.               SCSA also agreed upon the following :

�                the Adriatic Nephrops norvegicus as well as Coryphaena hippurus of Spain, Malta, Italy and Tunisia should be added to the GFCM list of shared stocks; while Boops boops of the Adriatic should be withdrawn from the list;

�                analysis of the most suitable biological reference points for the main demersal fisheries should be encouraged.

SUB-COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

15.               The Sub-Committee on Statistics and Information (SCSI) noted progresses achieved with regard to the harmonization of data collection. SCSI stressed the need to ensure sustainability of activities initiated and underlined the role of the other Sub-Committees and of the Secretariat in this respect. SCSI supported the proposal by SCSA for establishing a Working Group on Tuna fattening involving representatives of each SAC Sub-Committees.

16.               With regard to Operational Units, SCSI stressed the need to build a system that could be flexible, according to user�s requirement (at country, regional and international levels). The Sub-Committee acknowledged the work carried out so far by the Sub-Committee on Economics and Social Sciences (SCESS). It recommended that a joint Working Group on Operational Units be established between SCSI and SCESS.

17.               With regard to consolidating the GFCM information system, SCSI recommended that :

�                an inventory of all databases in the various systems (e.g: Copemed; AdriaMed, ItaFish, etc.) should be carried out and those that can be maintained by the GFCM Secretariat (e.g: on research and development) should be progressively transferred to it; in the meantime the regional projects will continue to look after their own systems and provide assistance to member countries in this field;

�                the validity of each available information systems should be assessed and SCSI� should interact more closely with the other Sub-Committees in this respect;

�                new applications envisaged should follow common standards agreed by SCSI and should foresee countries requirements as well as those of FIGIS, EC and others, when applicable;

�                a list of stocks and fisheries monitored under the GFCM mandate should be established with a view to facilitating a possible agreement between FIGIS and GFCM.

18.               It was also suggested that the MEDIFSIS project in the pipeline could be reassessed in view of progress achieved in some countries supported by Copemed and AdriaMed and that, to meet the EC prerequisite of additional sponsor to consider project funding, FAO could possibly directly contribute through formulating a regional TCP, if so requested by at least three countries.

SUB-COMMITTEE ON ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

19.               The Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Sciences (SCESS) expressed its appreciation of progress achieved by the Working Group on Economic and Social Indicators (11-13 March 2002, Salerno, Italy) and endorsed its recommendations. SCESS stressed the need to further specify the characteristics of Operational Units, in particular through defining its spatial dimension in relation to the concept of Local Operational Units (LOUs). The Sub-Committee identified 13 fleet segments mainly based on �m�tiers� and vessel length, taking into consideration European Union and other institutional requirements in this respect. It noted that the combination of LOUs and the vessel segmentation would constitute the basis for analysis aimed at monitoring fleet capacity. SCESS also offered to follow up on the issue of private sector involvement in the work of the Commission.

20.               SCESS recommended that:

�                to complement current studies (covering respectively GFCM geographical sub-areas: 1; 2; 3; 7; 9; 10; 14; 17 and 18), case studies on economic and social indicators should be extended to all GFCM geographical areas following the methodology agreed upon by the Sub-Committee and taking into consideration its recommendations on a segmentation of the Mediterranean fleets;

�                GFCM Members be invited to collect (as an annual routine), the basic data necessary for building-up the set of Mediterranean economic and social indicators identified with a view to building the related data base;

�                a joint working group with SCIS should be created with the mandate of establishing the GFCM data base on Operational Units;

�                the fleet segmentation being identified should be endorsed by SAC;

�                pilot studies should be undertaken to further define the concept of LOUs;

�                the following social indicators: weighted average age; number of years of active fishing; capital share; education; household structure, social background and experience, should be added to the existing list of basic indicators;

�                a Mediterranean manual on sampling techniques (covering the Neyman and Bethel methods) for the collection of economic and social data to build the basic indicators should be finalized and presented to SAC;

�                work on the glossary should be pursued by the network of social scientists, by e-mail as a first step, and a� workshop should be organized to finalize outputs, as a second step;

�                social scientists should collect and forward to the Coordinator the required information on regional and national projects and activities related to fishery social sciences in the Mediterranean as well as the bibliographical references taking into account the agreed standard format;

�                studies on legal aspects of fisheries management being undertaken respectively by Copemed and AdriaMed regional projects should be extended to cover the other GFCM geographical areas;

�                a third meeting of the Working Group on indicators should be organized in 2003.

SUB-COMMITTEE ON MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEMS

21.               The following are the main conclusions and recommendation of the Sub-Committee :

�                a joint meeting of the SAC Sub-Committees should be convened to finalize the Glossary;

�                a Working Group on incidental catches of protected species should be established as a first step with the view to further investigating and updating data and information, (including developing activities such as setting-up a list of concerned experts and institutions; establishing an inventory of related national plans; identifying scientific studies, etc.); and as a second step to include the collection of data on ports and on board for monitoring watches and tags recoveries;

22.               It was further recommended:

�                to endorse the protocol of a study developed by ICRAM for monitoring migratory routes of basking shark by a satellite tag programme;

�                to promote a quantitative study to assess discards, at national level;

�                to rely on MEDITS distribution charts for recruitment, nursery or spawning areas for priority species, while taking care of information on characteristics of bottom substrate, location and extension of Posidonia oceanica, physical characteristics of water masses near the bottom and, determining parameters that affect fish habitats, such as alien and invasive species, contaminants, etc.

�                to strengthen the gathering of information on new projects of interest to the Sub-Committee;

�                to follow-up on the recommendation taken at the Fourth Session of SAC to organize a meeting on the ecosystem based approach in the Mediterranean;

�                to assess the possibility of establishing two Working Groups, respectively on anthropogenic effects and fishing technology and on ecology and environment.

SUGGESTED ACTION BY THE COMMITTEE

23.               The Committee is invited to review the conclusions and recommendations of its Sub-Committees and ad hoc Working Groups. In doing so, it is suggested to pay special attention to issues such as the state of some stocks, Bluefin tuna fattening, fleet segmentation, Operational Units and the consolidation of databases, socio-economic indicators, MedFisis project, the environment parameters, and to provide advice to GFCM for consideration of these recommendations and conclusions.

24.               The Committee is also invited to review the activities proposed by the Sub-Committees and decide on the opportunities and priorities concerning their respective programmes of work.

25.               The Committee may also wish to identify those studies produced during the intersessional period which could possibly be published in the GFCM Series �Studies and Reviews�.

26.               The Committee is called upon to provide its views on possible ways to strengthen the format of the conclusions and recommendations expressed by the Sub-Committees and ad hoc Working Groups.

 

APPENDIX 1

MANAGEMENT UNITS