Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/11 on management measures for the use of anchored fish aggregating devices in common dolphinfish fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/1.

This Recommendation amends the objective of the transitional management measures set out in Paragraph 8 of Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/1, as to prepare for future management measures while reducing the risk that, in the absence of relevant scientific assessment, the biomass level of the common dolphinfish stock would drop below biologically sustainable levels, with negative consequences on the socio-economic viability of the fisheries concerned. The transitional measures shall apply in international waters in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, this Recommendation amends Paragraph 13 of Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/1 regarding the establishment of a GFCM working group in 2022 in order to develop a multiannual management plan for common dolphinfish fisheries that comprises measures for the management of Fish Aggregating Devices, taking into consideration socio-economic elements as well as efforts made by the contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties in managing relevant fisheries and in applying, in some cases, stricter rules than those defined in this recommendation.