The twelfth session of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) was held virtually from 19 to 20 June 2023. The SAG considered the outcomes of the work carried out by various joint working groups between 2022 and 2023 and their recommendations to the 19th Session of WECAFC (WECAFC19). A revised version of the Caribbean Regional anchored aFAD Management plan and a revised version of the Guide for improved monitoring of anchored aFAD catches and improved assessment of anchored aFADs impact on stocks first reviewed at SAG XI were tabled.
During the meeting, the working groups and other regional experts presented reviews of draft fishery management plan, a monitoring guide, and a review of a governance document as follows:
● Caribbean Regional Management Plan for the anchored fish aggregating device (aFAD).
● Guide: WECAFC guide for improved monitoring of aFAD catches and improved assessment of aFAD impact on stocks.
● Review: Anchored fish aggregating devices fisheries governance with application to other fisheries in the insular Caribbean.
Further, amended recommendations were presented and reviewed for the spawning aggregation and conch working groups. Additionally, the review of the SAG considered outputs from activities of several working groups during the intersession, as summarized in the reports of the working groups, which also included draft recommendations to WECAFC19 and 2023–2025 workplans.
A list of specific SAG recommendations for the attention of WECAFC19 is included in the preface of the report. Workplans for 2023–2025 are provided for each working group as appendices