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The Working Group on Social Indicators seeks to improve the integration of social sciences in ICES Ecosystem Overviews and Integrated Ecosystem Assessments through the development of culturally relevant social indicators. To advance progress on this, WGSOCIAL has broadly discussed the context of the social di-mension of fishing. This has led to coordination with other working groups within ICES and outside ICES with the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries Expert Work-ing Group Social and with the Regional Coordination Group on Economics Issues. WGSOCIAL develops methods for qualitative and quantitative approaches. It has also continued providing input to the updating of ecosystem overviews finalising those of the Celtic Seas and North Sea. WGSOCIAL has advanced work on the definition and context of trade-offs and trade-off analy-sis in the social context of fisheries. To assess social and cultural significance of commercial fishing, WGSOCIAL members have ad-vanced case studies in a number of ICES member countries: two regions in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. Each case study tackles a different approach with a different context. In addition, WGSOCIAL has advanced work on the topic of what a fishing community is and how the definition can change in different contexts. Lastly, WGSOCIAL has developed a database of social and economic indicators for evaluating fisheries management and identified a comprehensive list of categories and sub-categories of social and economic indicators that could be used to structure the selection of social indicators that inform fisheries managers. As a nest step, WGSOCIAL will identify key social indicators and data gaps for selected ICES member countries with recommendations for approaches to close the gaps. To support integrated socio-ecological evaluations in ecosystem-based management, WGSOCIAL has contributed to the development of work on the impacts of wind farms on com-mercial fishing ac

This study underscores the crucial role of small-scale fisheries (SSF) in promoting sustainable fishing practices within the Mediterranean context, emphasizing the necessity to align fisheries commerce with local seafood consumption. SSF in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Balearic Islands, are vital for local communities, contributing significantly to fish catches, while being deeply intertwined with cultural heritage and traditional values. However, these fisheries face several threats, including resource depletion, management strategies favouring fleet reduction, and increase of seafood imports. Our research investigates the relationships between the local fishing sector and resident population, exploring perspectives on sustainability. We examine SSF activities and perceptions through face-to-face questionnaires in nine fishing ports and assess seafood consumption habits through phone questionnaires. The study reveals an aging fishing sector rooted in family traditions that face administrative hurdles in implementing strategies such as fish tourism and direct sales, but seeks to enhance local product consumption. Despite the traditional relevance of fish in the Mediterranean diet, our findings also show low consumption of fresh and local seafood due to consumer’s limited knowledge on local species and related cooking methods and perceived high costs. However, the cultural importance of these products remains undiminished. To reinforce the cultural heritage of SSF and improve the future perspectives of the sector, we advocated for a multi-pronged approach, including raising consumers’ awareness about local species, controlling local prices, and promoting certified products through a reduction in the administrative burden and by promoting the active involvement of SSF.

The Workshop on Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast Aquaculture Overview (WKBoBICAO) was established to assemble and synthesize aquaculture related data and information and to inform the aquaculture overview for this ecoregion. The geographic extent of the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast ecoregion is extensive and ranges from southern Brittany in France through northern and northwestern Spain, it includes the entire coastline of Portugal (mainland) and culminates in the Gulf of Cadiz in southern Spain. It covers a wide range of habitat types and climatic conditions, which has a bearing on the types of aquaculture practiced in the ecoregion. Aquaculture is practised throughout much of the ecoregion. Both intertidal and subtidal waters are utilized in addition to terrestrial pond culture. The aquaculture production within the ecoregion is dominated by shellfish which are largely produced in France (Oysters and Mussels) and Spain (mussels). Portugal production comprises a mix of shellfish, finfish and crustacean culture and while lower in terms of tonnage produced and value than the other countries. In 2021, the aquaculture sector in the ecoregion reached 310,000 Tons produced and €775 million in value. Shellfish are the most produced in the ecoregion and contribute to almost 75% of total value. Crustacean production in Spain and shellfish and finfish production in Portugal show a clear increase since 2010, other species are static in terms of production. Spain produces the greatest tonnage but is second to France in terms of economic value. A number of other species (e.g. finfish, polychaete worms for bait) in addition macroalgae are also grown at smaller scales throughout the ecoregion. In the ecoregion, aquaculture licencing, regulation and policy are the responsibility of the member state. While overarching policy is defined at the EU level, licensing can be different in the various countries. In Portugal a single federal body is responsible for licensing. In Spain and

1. Aquatic food systems are important contributors to global food security to satisfy an intensifying demand for protein-based diets, but global economic growth threatens marine systems. Cephalopod (octopus, squid, cuttlefish) fisheries can contribute to food security; however their sustainable exploitation requires understanding connections between nature’s contributions to people (NCP), food system policies and human wellbeing. 2. Our global literature review methodology examined what is known about cephalopod food systems, value chains and supply chains and associated market drivers. For analysis, we followed the IPBES conceptual framework to build a map of the links between cephalopod market drivers, NCP and good quality of life (GQL). Then we mapped cephalopod food system dynamics onto IPBES (in)direct drivers of change relating to catch, trade and consumption. 3. This research contributes knowledge about key factors relating to cephalopods that can support transitions towards increased food security: the value of new aquatic food species; food safety and authenticity systems; place-based innovations and empowerment of communities; and consumer behaviour, lifestyle and motivations for better health and environmental sustainability along the food value chain. We outline requirements for a sustainable, equitable cephalopod food system policy landscape that values nature’s contributions to people, considers UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasises the role of seven overlapping IPBES (in)direct drivers of change: Economic, Governance, Sociocultural and Socio-psychological, Technological, Direct Exploitation, Natural Processes and Pollution. We present a novel market-based adaptation of the IPBES conceptual framework – our ‘cephalopod food system framework’, to represent how the cephalopod food system functions and how it can inform processes to improve sustainability and equity of the cephalopod food system. 4. This synthesised knowledge provides the basis f