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During the MedSudMed expert consultation on Small Pelagic fish: stock identification and oceanographic processes influencing their abundance and distribution (Salammbô, 1-3 October 2003), a series of priorities were identified and discussed among the experts and the Project was called on to implement activities aiming at identifying small pelagic fish stocks and the oceanographic processes influencing their abundance and distribution. In particular, in the perspective of estimating the spatial distribution of adults and early life stages, and identifying the spawning and nursery zones in the MedSudMed area, the experts considered that particular attention should be given to the basic parameter estimation (length at sexual maturity, age-length and target strength-length relationships). During the second Coordination Committee meeting (11-13 February 2004) a work plan taking into account these recommendations was presented and discussed. This led to the organization of a working group to discuss the issue of the “Basic parameters related to small pelagic fish: length at sexual maturity of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the MedSudMed Project area".

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The aims of the meeting were mainly: to have an overview of the methodologies currently used for the estimation of length at sexual maturity of anchovy and sardine; to discuss the available information and raw data for the determination of the length at sexual maturity, in each Geographical Sub Area covered by the Project (12 Northern Tunisia, 13 Gulf of Hammamet, 14 Gulf of Gabes, 15 Malta Island, 16 South of Sicily and 21 Libya), and according to the methodology to be applied; to review and discuss the current estimation of the length at sexual maturity of anchovy and sardine in the areas concerned. AdriaMed and Copemed Projects were invited to propose experts who could participate in the meeting in order to extend the area of study to other GSA.

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The meeting was attended by representatives of participating institutes to MedSudMed Project, as well as the Project staff. It was conducted in English.