7-8 October 2010. Málaga (Spain). Pelagic SRWG on shared stocks in the CopeMed II and MedSudMed area.

The CopeMed and MedSudMed FAO Mediterranean projects are jointly organizing the first Subregional Pelagic Working Group for the members’ countries of the two projects. The meeting will be held in Málaga organized by the IEO and the information on local arrangements will be circulating at a later stage. The provisional agenda includes issues related with: i) Shared stocks and ii) Information and appraisal on Coryphaena hippurus. The meeting will have two separated sessions, one on the revision on information available on shared pelagic stock and definition of priorities for joint research and assessment, and a second on available information at national level on Coriphaena, in relation with the countries in MedSudMed - CopeMed II area.

- Agenda

- Report of the CopeMed II meeting on the definition of priority topics related to shared resources (demersal and pelagic) in the subregion. Málaga, Spain, 29-30 April 2010

- Shared Stock Tables - PELAGICS (xls table)

16-17 September 2010. Mazara del Vallo, Sicily (Italy). Demersal SRWG on shared stocks in the CopeMed II and MedSudMed area

The CopeMed and MedSudMed FAO Mediterranean projects are jointly organizing the first Subregional demersal Working Group for the members’ countries of the two projects. The meeting will be held in Mazara del Vallo and the information on local arrangements will be circulating at a later stage. The provisional agenda includes issues related with: i) Shared stocks and ii) Effects of the closed seasons and national regulations. The meeting will have two separated sessions, one on the revision on information available on shared demersal stock and definition of priorities for joint research and assessment, and a second on available information at national level on closed season and its effects, in relation with the countries in MedSudMed - CopeMed II area.

- Agenda

- Demersal SRWG on shared stocks in the CopeMed II and MedSudMed area

- Report of the CopeMed II meeting on the definition of priority topics related to shared resources (demersal and pelagic) in the subregion. Málaga, Spain, 29-30 April 2010

22th July 2010. Malaga (Spain). Ad hoc scientific working group between Morocco and Spain

The objective of this meeting is to strengthen scientific cooperation between Spain and Morocco, to improve knowledge and management of water resources in the Strait of Gibraltar. This working group will focus on biology and ecology, study of fisheries, joint research programs, campaigns, joint stock assessment and management plan and management of fisheries.

Agenda.

22th July 2010. Malaga (Spain). Ad hoc scientific working group between Morocco and Spain

The objective of this meeting is to strengthen scientific cooperation between Spain and Morocco, to improve knowledge and management of water resources in the Strait of Gibraltar. This working group will focus on biology and ecology, study of fisheries, joint research programs, campaigns, joint stock assessment and management plan and management of fisheries.

Agenda.

5th July 2010. Malaga (Spain). CopeMed II and ArtFiMed Meeting at the Projects headquarters with IUCN Med

The objective of this meeting is to strengthen collaboration between IUCN Med and FAO CopeMed II ArtFiMed Projects in traditional fisheries areas of support, the study of species and shared stock, marine protected areas and management of Mediterranean fisheries.

14-18 June 2010. Course on Technological Advances in Fishing Gear for Sustainable Management

Twenty-nine experts from nine Mediterranean countries and the EC and Argentina met in Zaragoza (IAMZ/CIHEAM) to follow a course on fishing gears selectivity. Experts from several CopeMed II countries attended the course: Morocco (DPMA, INRH), Tunisia (UTAP, INSTM, MARH, IRESA), Algeria (MPRH), France, Italy and Spain. The Coordinator of CopeMed II was participating in the course as invited lecture. Mr. Luis Esteruelas, Director IAMZ/CIHEAM closed the course during a ceremony in which the course certificates were distributed to the participants.

1st-2nd June 2010. Istanbul (Turkey)

The CopeMed II and ArtFiMed Fishery officer, has participated to the Extraordinary Meeting of National Focal Points for Specially Protected Areas and the Meeting of National Correspondents for the Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean region (SAP BIO).

18th-19th May 2010, Libian Arab Jamahiriya. 8th MedSudMed Coordination Committee Meeting

The 8th Coordination Committee Meeting was kindly hosted by the Marine Biology Research Centre of Tajura. The Meeting was focused on the inter committee period activities and on activities to be planned for the next 12 months. The meeting was attended by delegations from the four participating countries (Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta and Tunisia), as well as by a representative of the Italian Donor, the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department and the FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

6th-7th May 2010. CopeMed II Third Coordination Committee meeting

The third meeting of the Coordination Committee reviewed the aims and results achieved during the last year by ArtFiMed and CopeMed II, the pilot project on artisanal fishing that takes place in Tunisia and Morocco and CopeMed II coordinates. The coordination committee meeting was also an occasion to discuss and plan a possible extension of the project.

29th-30th April 2010. CopeMed II meeting on the definition of priority topics related to shared resources (demersal and small pelagic) in the subregion in Malaga

Following the indications of the Coordination Meeting, CopeMed II started the organisation of the working groups of demersal species and small pelagic of CopeMed II meeting in Malaga, the next 29 and 30 April.

Agenda and documents for the meeting can be downloaded here.

19th-20th April 2010: EastMed Inception Meeting, Athens (Greece)

EastMed, “Scientific and Institutional Cooperation to Support Responsible Fisheries in the Eastern Mediterranean – EastMed” is a project under the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department that enter into duty the last September. The Coordinator Konstantina Karlou-Riga is organised the Inception Meeting in Athens, Greece the 19 and 20 April 2010. EastMed will support the development of regionally-consistent fisheries management plans among the Eastern Mediterranean countries through the monitoring of commercial fisheries and the developing of fishery research and management capacity. The project is planned to run for five years. Greece, Italy and the Directorate General for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs of the EC have already confirmed their support to the project. The project headquarters are based in Athens, Greece.

14th-17th April 2010: GFCM, 34th Commission Meeting, Athens (Greece)

National Delegates from the CopeMed II countries participating in the ordinary GFCM Commission Meeting and in the COC (Committee on Compliance) were present during the sessions held in Athens. CopeMed II Coordinator and the other FAO Project’s Coordinator were participating and supporting activities of the GFCM Secretariat.

- Report of the GFCM 34th Session.

3rd April 2010: CopeMed II and ArtFiMed Coordinator attended the 11th Coordination Meeting of AdriaMed in Kotor (Montenegro)

Representing CopeMed II and ArtFiMed, Juan Antonio Camiñas participated in Kotor (Montenegro, 3-4 March 2010) at the 11th Coordination meeting of AdriaMed. The meeting has served to strengthen cooperation between the two projects and discuss about activities to organize in common. The discussions focused mainly on reviewing the activities realized and a technical proposal for the expansion of AdriaMed presented by the Project Director, Enrico Arneri.

More information:http://www.faoadriamed.org.

March 2010: Preparation of a protocol for the experiences of the 40 mm square mesh size selectivity.

From the discussions held during the meeting of the sub regional Working Group on the implementation of the 40 mm square mesh size, the Project cared of the preparation of a Protocol for the experiences of selectivity that could be common for all the countries and that will include the basic needs and methodologies for undertaking this kind of campaign. The experts Jacques Sacchi and Jorge Baro have worked to prepare this CopeMed II protocol which is already in its final editing phase.

Protocols for a Mediterranean Pilot Selectivity Trawl Survey: TD9

16th February 2010: Meeting in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Direction (DPMA). Rabat (Morocco)

Juan Antonio Camiñas and Matthieu Bernardon travelled to Rabat where they met with the Moroccan fishery authorities to discuss the pilot plan for the implementation of the 40 mm mesh in the trawl fleets. The meeting was held at the Fishery and Aquaculture Direction and was chaired by its Directrice Ms Driouich. The purpose of the meeting was to review various points of interest between the Moroccan authorities and CopeMed II, of which a scientific pilot campaign on the selectivity of 40 mm square mesh applied to demersal trawling fleets. The meeting was attended by representatives of the DPMA, the General Director of the INRH, the FAO Representative in Morocco and members of the Projects ArtFiMed and CopeMed II.

Report of the Workshop "Protocols for a Mediterranean Pilot Selectivity Trawl Survey": TD08

Rapport de la rencontre sur la pêche artisanale en la méditerranée marocaine: TD13

25th-29th January 2010: Experts from several Mediterranean countries visiting the Kotor Marine Laboratory

During the celebration of the annual SAC meeting in Budva (Montenegro, 25-29 January) a group of FAO experts and SAC Delegates from several countries, the Chairperson of the SAC Dr. H. Farrugio and the four Coordinators of the Sub Committees visited Kotor Center of Marine Research. Under the direction of Dr. Aleksandar Joksimovic, Director of Institute of Marine Biology the experts visited the Center departments and conversed with the Institute experts.

10th-15th January 2010: Mediterranean and Black sea FAO Projects Coordination Meeting in Rome

Juan A Camiñas and Matthieu Bernardon have participated to the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Mediterranean and Black Sea Coordination Meeting from 13 to 15 January 2010 in Rome (FAO). The representatives of the different projects/activities presented the objectives, partners, and main activity lines and results of their work: EastMed, K. Karlou-Riga; CopeMed II, J. A. Camiñas; AdriaMed, N. Milone; ArtFiMed, M. Bernardon; Support desert aquaculture in Algeria (TCP/ALG/3103), V. Crespi; FAORNE, P. Manini; Southern European countries Project, Budapest FAO officer; MedSudMed, L. Ceriola; GFCM Aquaculture, M. Camilleri; MedFisis and LME Strategic partnership for Fisheries, P. Barros. The meeting was an opportunity to reinforce the cooperation and synergies between the different projects and to organize under a coordination strategy the activities for the next period. A new coordination meeting will be organizing in July 2010.

January 2010: Review of the GFCM Glossary

By request of the GFCM, CopeMed II promised in 2009 to undertake the revision of the Glossary. This document was prepared in 2003 by CopeMed during the first Phase, needing an update. CopeMed II contracted a consultant (Dr. J. Lleonart) who realized the revision. The revised document was submitted to the SAC meeting held in Budva (Montenegro, 25-29 January 2010) and will be discussed by the GFCM in its 34th meeting in Athens (14-17 April).

More information:
(http://151.1.154.86/GfcmWebSite/GFCM/34/GFCM34_2010_inf.17-e.pdf)

 year: 2009

4th December 2009: Meeting of Coordination Committee of the GFCM Sub-Committees in CopeMed II headquarters (Malaga)

After the end of the regular sessions of the forth SAC Sub-Committees in Malaga (Spain), the Coordination Committee meeting of the Sub-Committees took place, with the participation of the GFCM’ Secretary, President and Vice-president of SAC, coordinators of Sub-Committees and experts of FAO and regional projects AdriaMed, ArtFiMed, CopeMed II, EastMed, MedSudMed and MedFisis.

30th November - 3rd December 2009: SAC Anual Meeting of GCPM Sub-Committees in CopeMed II headquarters

Regular sessions of the forth SAC Sub-Committees took place in CopeMed II headquarters from November 30th to December 3rd 2009. CopeMed II supported local organisation and meetings with the participation of its experts as technical support to Environment, Economy and Social Sciences Sub-Committees.

November December 2009: Participation of experts from Algeria (CNRDPA) in the acoustic assessment carried out by the IEO (Spain) in western Mediterranean region

Two Algerian experts have participated in the campaign ECOMED of the IEO on board of the Oceanographic ship Cornide de Saavedra during the period 24/11/09 and 19/12/09. The objective of the training on board was to familiarize with the standard techniques for assessment of small pelagic species using acoustic methods.

More information:
Évaluation des Ressources Pélagiques ECOMED2009

November 2009: Representatives of Fisheries Administration of Algeria, IEO (Spain) and expert of CopeMed II met to strength collaboration

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and FAO-CopeMed II Project, met in Malaga with Representatives of Administration in Algeria to establish fishery cooperation basis. Participants were: Director of Investigation, Farid Harouadi, Naia Bouhafs and Larbi Kadri; deputy General Director of IEO investigation, Eduardo Balguerías and Director of IEO in Malaga, Jorge Baro; representative of AECID projects in Algeria, Antonio Alaminos and Juan Antonio Camiñas and Matthieu Bernardon from CopeMed II.

26th-27th October 2009: Meeting in Tunisia with General Direction for Fisheries and General Director of INSTM, and visit of ArtFiMed headquarters in Gabes

Juan A. Camiñas and Matthieu Bernardon met in Tunisia with the General Director of Fisheries Dr. Missaoui and staff member Mrs Belkaia. Then, they visited the INSTM, where they disccused with the General Director Dr. Ridha MRabet and they travelled to Gabes with the NPP of ArtFiMed Mr. Elaiba. In Gabes, the Day of Traditional Fishery was celebrated, organised by ArtFiMed and the General Direction of Fisheries.

10th-11st September 2009: CopeMed II Workshop on Protocols for a Mediterranean Pilot Selectivity Trawl Survey (Experimental application for the implementation of the 40 mm square mesh size GFCM Resolution to the trawl fleet in Morocco). Malaga (Spain).

During the 33rd session the GFCM adopted the Recommendation GFCM/33/2009/2 on a minimum 40-mm mesh size in the codend of demersal trawl nets by 31 January 2012. CopeMed II compromised with the GFCM and the project’ Members to study the biological and socio-economic effects of such measure in the sub region and organise a meeting of experts in Malaga (Spain). The purpose of the workshop waqs to agree with experts the CopeMed II countries on selectivity protocols in order to implement a pilot survey during 2009 in Morocco to analyse the biological and economic effects of the implementation of the 40 mm square codend mesh size in trawl fleet as determined by the GFCM/31/2007/3 Resolution. A second objective of the workshop was to make possible the organization of new pilot surveys in other CopeMed II countries. Experts from Algeria, France, the EC, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia participating in the Workshop.