The first session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) met in Rome, Italy, from 23 to 26 March 1999. The Committee agreed that a harmonized approach is necessary for deciding on management units. Concerning the definition of parameters to express fishing efforts, the Committee decided to set up an ad hoc working group to discuss this issue. The Committee reviewed the current situation and available information on stock assessment an d recognized the necessity of developing a capacity to adapt some assessment methods to the Mediterranean context. The Committee agreed on its structure and functioning and elected its Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the two consecutive intersessional periods