The paper looks at the impact on future scientific work in support of fisheries management which results from the FAO code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the United Nations Agreement on Management of Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. These give particular importance to precautionary approaches, as spelled out in the guidelines for precautionary fisheries management developed by a FAO consultation. Some of the basic requirements for a precautionary approach are spelled out, including the use of Limit Reference Points that indicate dangerous situations for the stock. Some preliminary ideas for their use in the Mediterranean context are provided, and given the high unit prices of landings this also requires a bioeconomic approach. The importance of carrying out fisheries assessment work which is relevant to management approaches currently in use is stressed, which, for the Mediterranean, is suggested to include passive regulatory measures and the use of refuges and closed areas.