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Small pelagic resources and particularly sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) represent an important fishery activity for the countries bordering the Alboran Sea. This paper aims at contributing to the identification of priority species of small pelagic shared stocks in GSA01 and GSA03 (northern and southern Alboran Sea GFCM regions) for carrying out joint stock assessments and promoting new management measures that would allow the sustainability of the resources and its exploitation. The WG on small pelagic shared stocks met twice during 2011 progressing in analysing the available data on the stocks and its exploitation and building a common data base. Moreover a comparative analysis on sardine landings data from 2003-2010 in GSA01 and GSA03 was carried out explaining that the exploitation pattern in sub-areas (GSAs 01 and 03) is different but the total length-frequency distribution of sardine exploited by each country appears to be similar. A tentative in applying a LCA analysis of the Moroccan and Spanish data on sardine using different biological parameters and with the VIT software was unsuccessful but orientated for future works of the WG

Cartilaginous fish are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors and environmental change because of their K-selected reproductive strategy. Accurate data from scientific surveys and landings are essential to assess conservation status and to develop robust protection and management plans. Currently available data are often incomplete or incorrect as a result of inaccurate species identifications, due to a high level of morphological stasis, especially among closely related taxa. Moreover, several diagnostic characters clearly visible in adult specimens are less evident in juveniles. Here we present results generated by the ELASMOMED Consortium, a regional network aiming to sample and DNA-barcode the Mediterranean Chondrichthyans with the ultimate goal to provide a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library. This library will support and improve the molecular taxonomy of this group and the effectiveness of management and conservation measures. We successfully barcoded 882 individuals belonging to 42 species (17 sharks, 24 batoids and one chimaera), including four endemic and several threatened ones. Morphological misidentifications were found across most orders, further confirming the need for a comprehensive DNA barcoding library as a valuable tool for the reliable identification of specimens in support of taxonomist who are reviewing current identification keys. Despite low intraspecific variation among their barcode sequences and reduced samples size, five species showed preliminary evidence of phylogeographic structure. Overall, the ELASMOMED initiative further emphasizes the key role accurate DNA barcoding libraries play in establishing reliable diagnostic species specific features in otherwise taxonomically problematic groups for biodiversity management and conservation actions., peer-reviewed