Predators themselves, many sharks today are under threat. At the second Meeting of the Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MoU), held from 15-19 February in San José, Costa Rica, the Signatories agreed to include 22 additional shark and ray species under the MoU, reflecting the need to strengthen measures to improve or restore a favourable conservation status of these sharks.

The Commission today announced the start of the functioning of three new Advisory Councils for: Aquaculture, Markets and the Black Sea.

European Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome today to discuss sustainable fisheries and ocean governance. Earlier today the Commissioner paid a visit to the headquarters of the Mediterranean fisheries management organisation GFCM. The critical condition of many Mediterranean fish stocks was a key topic.

Please consult the IATTC website at www.iattc.org for complete information on IATTC duties and the application process.

Prior information notice published in the OJ 2016/S 028-044563 on 10/02/2016

In Brussels today Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella will be presenting to the agriculture and fisheries sections of the Council of the European Union a Commission's proposal on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets. The presentation will be followed by an exchange of views with the Ministers.

A new evaluation is on-line

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is looking for an ICT Manager for its secretariat in Micronesia. Deadline for applications: 29 February 2016.