03/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Important decisions were taken at the 33rd sitting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Tunisia on 23-27 March 2009 (Ed: Spain, France, Greece and Italy are the EU member states that fish in the Mediterranean and are members of the GFCM) including the setting up of a GFCM fishing fleet register by 1 January 2010; the use of at least 40 mm square mesh in trawl fisheries; the obligation to equip all vessels measuring more than 15m overall length with a satellite-based monitoring system; improving protection in the Gulf of Lions region; cutting fishing in the Mediterranean by at least 10%; and improving research into sardine stocks. (L.C./transl.fl)