Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/8 on further emergency measures in 2019-2021 for small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17 and 18).

This Recommendation lays down new emergency measures to reduce the exploitation levels and fishing mortality of the small pelagic stocks in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in order to ensure that the exploitation levels of small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea are at maximum sustainable yield. To this end, contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties shall not exceed the level of catches for small pelagics in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties shall ensure that their fishing vessels targeting small pelagics shall not exceed 180 fishing days per year, with a maximum of 144 fishing days targeting sardine and of 144 fishing days targeting anchovy. Furthermore, contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties shall apply specific temporal closures at the fleet level in view of protecting stocks during spawning periods. In order to protect small pelagics, in 2019, 2020 and 2021 fishing activity with purse seiners and pelagic trawlers targeting anchovy or sardine shall be prohibited in the area outlined in the map in Annex 1. Upon request of contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties, with the assistance of the GFCM Secretariat, a pilot project shall be established in 2019 with a view to establishing a voluntary observation and inspection programme, in order to ensure compliance with the conservation and management measures of this recommendation.