as the characterization of ssf is a common topic to be addressed by the friends of ssf platform see section the partner organizations participating in this group have contributed to discussions on refining this characterization matrix and have agreed to carry out a preliminary test of this matrix through their existing case studies of ssf the socioeconomic survey being carried out in the mediterranean and the black sea within the context of the midterm strategy is also collecting data in line with the matrix in order to perform a widescale application of the matrix at the regional level in this report it was noted that although generally largescale fisheries were associated with high capital costs and sophisticated technology and ssf were associated with small vessels and labour intensive fishing techniques in reality modern fishing operations meant that even certain ssf could use very advanced technologies and have a high level of fishing effort world bank