Grace S. Richmond's novel, 'The Twenty-Fourth of June: Midsummer's Day', is a captivating exploration of family dynamics and the passage of time. Set on Midsummer's Day, the narrative follows the Garland family as they navigate through love, loss, and forgiveness. Richmond's writing style is characterized by its emotional depth and attention to detail, making the reader feel intimately connected to the characters and their experiences. The novel's portrayal of small-town life in early 20th century America adds to its charm and sense of nostalgia. Richmond seamlessly weaves together themes of tradition, change, and personal growth, creating a rich and complex story that lingers in the reader's mind. Grace S. Richmond, known for her engaging storytelling and relatable characters, drew inspiration from her own observations of human relationships and societal norms. Her background in psychology and sociology informed her nuanced portrayal of familial conflicts and emotional complexities. By delving into the intricacies of human behavior, Richmond brings a sense of authenticity and depth to her narratives. I highly recommend 'The Twenty-Fourth of June: Midsummer's Day' to readers who appreciate character-driven stories with emotional depth and historical flavor. Richmond's novel is a timeless exploration of family ties, personal growth, and the enduring power of love.

This report presents the outcomes of the twenty-fourth session of the GFCM Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries. The Committee reviewed the work carried out during the 2022–2023 intersession, including in the context of the MedSea4Fish programme, and provided advice on the status of priority stocks and ecosystems and on potential management measures addressing key fisheries and vulnerable species in the Mediterranean. At the regional level, the Committee provided advice on: i) European eel, red coral and common dolphinfish fisheries in the Mediterranean; ii) minimum conservation reference size for GFCM priority species, including deep-water red shrimp and European hake at the regional level as well as small pelagics in the Adriatic sea and round sardinella in the eastern Mediterranean; and iii) the socioeconomic impacts of a potential extension of bottom trawling limits. With regard to small-scale fisheries, the Committee supported the need to revise the monitoring framework of the Regional Plan of Action for small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It discussed additional work in support of the GFCM, endorsing dedicated research programmes, including on recreational fisheries and on jellyfish in the Alboran Sea, as well as a draft regional plan of action to monitor and mitigate interactions between fisheries and vulnerable species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and identified further actions towards the implementation of standardized monitoring plans for fisheries restricted areas (FRAs) and the development of pilot studies to identify boundaries of known vulnerable marine ecosystems. It also discussed issues related to decarbonization and climate change, estimation of discards and fishing capacity. In line with the subregional approach, the Committee formulated advice on i) blackspot seabream in the western Mediterranean; ii) small pelagics in the Alboran Sea; iii) a FRA in the Cabliers Coral Mound Province; iv) Norway lobster, red mullet and striped red mullet in the central Mediterranean; v) round sardinella, small-scale fisheries and non-indigenous species in the eastern Mediterranean; and vi) small pelagics and key demersal stocks in the Adriatic Sea. Finally, the Committee agreed upon its workplan for 2023–2025.