Report of the thirtyfirst session Rome 9-12 January 2007 GFCM report Series, Vol. 31

Based on advice from SAC and proposals by Members, the Commission adopted three Resolutions, including two related to the GFCM statistical framework (on fishing effort and operational units data collection sets and on Geographical Sub-Areas [GSAs]), and one on the use of the 40 mm square mesh size in the codend of trawlnets. The Commission also adopted binding recommendations on fisheries management, as well as three Recommendations emanating from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on bluefin tuna and on transshipment at sea. The Commission decided to strengthen its activities in the Black Sea. It acknowledged the importance of the five regional projects supporting the activities of the Committees and endorsed a series of amendments to its Rules of Procedure. The Commission agreed on its programme of work and adopted its budget for 2007, including the establishment within the Secretariat of a post of Aquaculture specialist.