 SOMFE 2022 is out now and it's the most comprehensive report ever published by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. It confirms that while positive trends continue for key fishery resources, the sector remains under stress. During the past decade, the over-exploitation of stocks has diminished. Key species under management plans have seen an accelerated reduction of fishing pressure. However, 73% of commercial species are still over-exploited and fishing pressure is still double what is considered sustainable. Moreover, the fisheries sector has suffered losses in catches, revenues and jobs. In order to put the sector on the path to sustainability, the key is to adopt and enforce management measures. Common sole, turbot and European hake, all key species under management plans show striking reductions in fishing pressure. For some of these stocks, this is already allowing the rebuilding of biomass. The GFCM is implementing 10 multi-annual management plans, targeting certain priority stocks and including nearly 7,000 active vessels. It has also established 10 fisheries restricted areas to ensure the conservation of specific stocks and deep-sea ecosystems. The fisheries sector generates an annual revenue of US$2.9 billion and creates an estimated half a million jobs. But the workforce is aging. It's essential to support generational turnover and particularly so for small-scale fisheries which represent the majority of the fleet. More social protections are needed for this sector, which contributes over half the total number of jobs. SOMFE 2022 serves as a valuable tool to guide action towards a sustainable future. The GFCM is on the right path, but the challenges are significant. Prompt and concerted action by countries is the only way to ensure that fisheries remain a pillar of coastal communities in our region.