 SOMFE 2023 special edition comes with important news. The percentage of over-exploited stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region has fallen below 60%. That's a 15% reduction since 2020 and the lowest rate observed since the trend in over-exploitation was first reversed a decade ago. This improvement follows a continuous reduction in overall fishing pressure during the same period. However, fishing pressure is still twice the level considered sustainable. To address this, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean continues to focus on expanding management plans and technical and spatial measures which have proved positive for key commercial species. Some stocks under management plans show a larger than average reduction in fishing pressure over the past 10 years. Moreover, large portions of the seabed continue to be protected by 10 fisheries restricted areas established by the GFCM in the region. For the first time ever, SOMFE also paints a picture of the combined fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. For fisheries, catches are largely dominated by small pelagic fish, mainly European anchovies and sardines. Revenues are similar to those of 2020, while employment is slightly down. For aquaculture, the most common farm species are gilthead sea bream, European sea bass and Mediterranean mussel. In contrast with fisheries, aquaculture production has nearly doubled in the last decade, with revenues also showing a significant increase. For both fisheries and aquaculture, targeted social support continues to be a priority in order to ensure their resilience despite internal and external challenges. SOMFE 2023 Special Edition serves as an important tool to guide action towards sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.