This document is the final version of the report of the MedSudMed Oceanographic Survey carried out in Libyan waters from 15 to 30 July 2010 on board of the R/U Urania. The document presents also the results of the processing of the data collected during the survey. The survey was carried out under the cooperative framework promoted by the FAO MedSudMed Project (Assessment and Monitoring of the Fishery Resources and the Ecosystems in the Straits of Sicily). The main objective of the survey was to collect information on areas of concentration of eggs and larvae of small pelagic fish species and on the mesoscale physical aspects characterizing the area. During the survey, advantage was also taken to collect sediments and water samples to update and/or complement existing information and study the chemical-physical properties of the water masses. The results were expected to complement information gathered during the first and second MedSudMed surveys (August 2006, July 2008) and information available in other part of the MedSudMed area. The main target species for the ichthyoplankton study were anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and round sardine (Sardinella aurita). An overall description of the sampling scheme, of the area explored and of the methods adopted is provided. The distribution and abundance of eggs and larvae of the main target species anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and round sardine (Sardinella aurita) in the eastern part of Libyan waters is described. An outline of the composition and abundance of phytoplankton in the area is also provided. The main oceanographic characteristics, including water mass circulation, in the western Libyan waters are illustrated. A description of the trophic status of the waters is provided taking into account nutrients and suspended matter. A description of the content of trace elements and nutrients in the water column complete the information provided in this report

The Fourteenth meeting of the MedSudMed Coordination Committee was held in St. Julian’s, Malta, 26-27 April 2016. It was attended by representatives from the countries participating in the Project (Italy, Libya, Malta and Tunisia), representatives of the Italian Donor (Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, MiPAAF), of the FAO GFCM Secretariat, of the FAO AdriaMed and CopeMed II Projects, as well as staff of the MedSudMed Project. A brief remind was made on the Project objectives and activities and a presentation of the activities implemented for the MedSudMed components during the inter-session period was made. The proposed work plan for the next period was discussed and approved. It focuses on the same priorities of standardizing approaches, increasing scientific knowledge on fishery resources and ecosystems, strengthening national expertise and regional cooperation. The belief that continuing the Project can only bring success and be beneficial for each of the participating countries was affirmed.

The Fifteenth meeting of the MedSudMed Coordination Committee was held in Tunis, Tunisia, 02-03 March 2017. It was attended by representatives from the countries participating in the Project (Italy, Libya, Malta and Tunisia), a representative of FAO Sub-regional Office for North Africa (FAO SNE), a representative of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division (FIA), a representative of FAO Regional Project AdriaMed, of the FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Secretariat (FAO GFCM), as well as the staff of the FAO MedSudMed Project. A brief remind was made on the Project objectives and activities and a presentation of the activities implemented for the MedSudMed components during the inter-session period was made. The proposed work plan for the next period was discussed and approved. It focuses on the same priorities of standardizing approaches, increasing scientific knowledge on fishery resources and ecosystems, strengthening national expertise and regional cooperation. The belief that continuing the Project can only bring success and be beneficial for each of the participating countries was affirmed.

The Sixteenth meeting of the MedSudMed Coordination Committee was held in Rome, Italy, on 13th - 14th February 2018, kindly hosted by the Italian Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Forestiers Policies (MiPAAF). The Coordination Committee was attended by representatives from the countries participating in the Project (Italy, Libya, Malta and Tunisia), representatives of the Donors, the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division (FIA), a representative of FAO Regional Project AdriaMed, of the FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Secretariat (FAO GFCM), as well as the staff of the FAO MedSudMed Project. The meeting sought to present and discuss the results of the activities carried out by the Project referring to the 2017-18. The activities followed the methodological approach used by the Project and were presented according to the Project main components. The working paper “Project Future Implementation”, in which objectives, outputs and activities proposed for 2018 was introduced and agreed by the Committee, including additional inputs coming out from the discussion.

The Seventeenth meeting of the MedSudMed Coordination Committee was held in Buġibba Malta, 05-06 February 2019, kindly hosted by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change of Malta (MESDC). The Coordination Committee was attended by representatives from the countries participating in the Project (Italy, Libya, Malta and Tunisia), representatives of the Italian Donor, the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division (FIA), a representative of FAO Regional Projects AdriaMed and CopeMed II, of the FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Secretariat (FAO GFCM), as well as the staff of the FAO MedSudMed Project. The meeting sought to present and discuss the results of the activities carried out by the Project referring to the 201819. The activities followed the methodological approach used by the Project and were presented according to the Project main components. The working paper “Project Future Implementation”, in which objectives, outputs and activities proposed for 2018 was introduced and agreed by the Committee, including additional inputs coming out from the discussion.