This publication reports on the 8th session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, which was held in Tirana, Albania in October 2005. Issues discussed include: fishery management proposals emanating from the work of sub-committees; research priorities and its workplan for 2006; measures for the protection of certain marine ecosystem including gear selectivity issues and stock assessment methodologies.

Issued discussed during the Committee's 6th session include: the work of its subcommittees during the inter-sessional period, research activities undertaken, advice on fishery management and research, and the workplan for 2003-2004. The Committee called on the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to encourage the adoption of measures regarding the fishing of selected small pelagic and demersal recruitment stocks at levels compatible with sustainable exploitation. It also requested that the Commission reinforce the implementation of the measures to help reverse declining biomass of a number of important stocks.