In overexploitation, with relatively low biomass.
[The GFCM methodology to provide stock status and management advice is described in the Appendix F of the Sixteenth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee Report. See the Bibliography section.]

Stock assessment in the GFCM area of application is often conducted by management units, based on GSAs. This method does not ensure that the whole stock is assessed, since stocks may cover several different management units. In some cases, when there is scientific evidence of a stock spreading through different GSAs, as well as information on species from different GSAs, existing information is combined across GSAs. This is then defined as a “joint stock assessment of a shared stock”. The GFCM recommends that when scientific evidence of shared stocks exists, joint stock assessments should be attempted. A number of activities aimed at achieving a better definition of stock boundaries are currently being conducted at the GFCM level. [The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries, 2016]

European hake is one of the target demersal species of the Mediterranean fishing fleets, largely exploited in GSA 1 mainly by trawlers (91 percent landings) on the shelf and slope, and by small-scale fisheries using gillnets (6 percent) and longlines (3 percent) on the shelf (average 2017-2019). The trawling fleet in the GSA 1 area is made up of 120 boats (2019), averaging 35 gross registered tonnage (GRT) and 176 horse power (HP). Catches of European hake show a decreasing trend from 2012 to 2017, with a slight increase in 2018. In the last year there has been a decrease to 274 tonnes (average 2017-2019: 336 tonnes).

Complimentary advice. The basis for advice is a joint assessment of GSAs 1, 5, 6, 7.