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1. Predicting effect of changes in ‘fishable’ areas on fish and fisheries

Author

Bastardie, Francois, Spedicato, M.T., Bitetto, I., Romagnoni, G., Zupa, W., Letschert, J., Püts, M., Damalas, D., Kavadas, Stefanos, Maina, I., Tsagarakis, K., Poos, J. J., Papantoniou, G., Depestele, J., Batts, L., Bluemel, J., Astarloa Diaz, A., van de Wolfshaar, K., Binch, L., Rindorf, Anna, Bastardie, Francois, Spedicato, M.T., Bitetto, I., Romagnoni, G., Zupa, W., Letschert, J., Püts, M., Damalas, D., Kavadas, Stefanos, Maina, I., Tsagarakis, K., Poos, J. J., Papantoniou, G., Depestele, J., Batts, L., Bluemel, J., Astarloa Diaz, A., van de Wolfshaar, K., Binch, L., and Rindorf, Anna

Abstract

This report aims to investigate the available tools for predicting the impact of various spatial management options on fisheries distribution, yield, profitability, and selectivity. Such spatial plans may affect the remaining ‘fishable’ areas by displacing and concentrating the fishing pressure, and so may alter stock abundances, distributions, size- and species catch composition and fuel expenditure and cost. The report provides early insights into how spatial plans that exclude certain fishing activities may affect these outcomes. Spatially explicit approaches are used, along with scenarios of underlying stock productivities and distributions, to assess the performance of spatial management measures. Scenario-based testing is conducted to examine the interrelated effects of management options and stock productivity. A major aspect of the work involved gathering and organizing information on specific zones from several sources such as Natura2000, CDDA, SPA, SAC, and UK-defined areas. We found that most of these zones did not have any previous management plans in place that would outline fishing restrictions. Therefore, we developed a method of assigning limitations to certain fishing techniques based on the perceived vulnerability of specific areas to these practices. This approach has allowed for an examination of how these restrictions potentially affect fish and fisheries. Initially, we used a static approach in anticipating the potential fishing effort displacement to measure the impact of fishing in the Northeast Atlantic area. Our research shows that while such spatial management measures may reduce fishing opportunities, it may be possible to offset in the short term some of these spatial opportunity losses by fishing in nearby locations (Figure 1). On the Med side, an analysis of fishing effort displacement from restricted areas in the Adriatic Sea is exemplified in a before/after situation, showing that the effort is not reduced but redistr

Published
2023

2. SEAwise Report on consistency of existing targets and limits for indicators in an ecosystem context

Author

Kempf, A., Taylor, M., Kuhn, B., Brown, E., Trijoulet, V., Vinther, M., Girardin, Raphael, Savina-rolland, Marie, Lehuta, Sigrid, Halouani, Ghassen, Robert, Marianne, Woillez, Mathieu, Mahevas, Stephanie, Travers-trolet, Morgane, Andres, M., Garcia, D., Ibaibarriaga, L., Sanchez-marono, S., Astarloa Diaz,, A., Batts, L., Reid, D., Bitetto, I., Spedicato, M.-t., Romagnoni, G., Giannoulaki, M., Sgardeli, V., Tsoukali, S., Liontakis, A., Vassilopoulou,, C., Miller, S., Depestele, L., Van Hoey, G., Piet, G., Hamon, K., Kraan, M., Smout, S., Ransijn, J., Thorpe, R., Lynam, C., Bluemel, J., Voss, R., Ojaveer, H., Hommik, K., Melia, P., Gascuel, D., Potier, M., Ustups, D., Plikss, M., Heath, M., Poos, J.-j., Blinch, L., Rindorf, A., Kempf, A., Taylor, M., Kuhn, B., Brown, E., Trijoulet, V., Vinther, M., Girardin, Raphael, Savina-rolland, Marie, Lehuta, Sigrid, Halouani, Ghassen, Robert, Marianne, Woillez, Mathieu, Mahevas, Stephanie, Travers-trolet, Morgane, Andres, M., Garcia, D., Ibaibarriaga, L., Sanchez-marono, S., Astarloa Diaz,, A., Batts, L., Reid, D., Bitetto, I., Spedicato, M.-t., Romagnoni, G., Giannoulaki, M., Sgardeli, V., Tsoukali, S., Liontakis, A., Vassilopoulou,, C., Miller, S., Depestele, L., Van Hoey, G., Piet, G., Hamon, K., Kraan, M., Smout, S., Ransijn, J., Thorpe, R., Lynam, C., Bluemel, J., Voss, R., Ojaveer, H., Hommik, K., Melia, P., Gascuel, D., Potier, M., Ustups, D., Plikss, M., Heath, M., Poos, J.-j., Blinch, L., and Rindorf, A.

Abstract

SEAwise deliverable 6.7 is the first of two deliverables in task 6.4. It investigates the consistency of existing targets and limits from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Trade-offs between different objectives (ecological, economic, social), targets and limits are highlighted. A wide range of model types (from bio-economic to full ecosystem models) has been applied to various case study areas across the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean. Although model predictions are by nature uncertain, this study provides important information on likely inconsistencies between existing targets and limits and trade-offs expected under ecosystem- based fisheries management (EBFM). The scenarios investigated include the current range of management applied in terms of the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) concept (i.e. strict MSY approach vs. Pretty Good Yield (PGY) approach allowing sustainable deviations from single species FMSY point estimates). The landing obligation is a key aspect of current fisheries management and was fully considered, in particular for mixed demersal fisheries. Maintaining current fishing effort without further management measures was the least sustainable option in nearly all cases studies. This approach led to increased risk of stocks falling below critical biomass limits. Although the fishing effort adaptions needed is highly case specific, this indicates that further management measures are likely to be needed to ensure a sustainable exploitation of all stocks. Scenarios applying a strict MSY approach in combination with the landing obligation (i.e. FMSY as upper limit with fisheries ending when the first stock reaches FMSY) in most case studies led to the lowest fishing effort. This had positive effects on MSFD related indicators such as bycatch of Protected, Endangered and Threatened (PET) species, benthic impact and the Large Fish Indicator as well as global indicators such as CO2 emission or eco

Published
2023
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3. Evaluation of the fishing effort and catch regime for demersal fisheries in the western Mediterranean Sea – PART IX (STECF-22-11)

Author

Pinto, C, Bitetto, I, Certain, G, Doring, R, Garriga Panisello, M, Gourguet, S, Grati, F, Kupschus, S, Leutha, S, Mannini, A, Merzeraud, M, Murenu, M, Phan, T.A., Pierucci, A, Russo, T, Sabatella, E.C., Stefani, M, Viva, C, Pinto, C, and Kupschus, S

Subjects
Fishing effort, Management plans, STECF, TAC, Demersal fisheries
Abstract

Commission Decision of 25 February 2016 setting up a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, C(2016) 1084, OJ C 74, 26.2.2016, p. 4–10. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to marine and fisheries biology, fishing gear technology, fisheries economics, fisheries governance, ecosystem effects of fisheries, aquaculture or similar disciplines. This report is the ninth of a suite of STECF EWG reports dedicated to the evaluation of the implementation of the Western Mediterranean Sea Multi-Annual management Plan (hereafter, MAP), following EWG reports 18-09, 18-13, 19-01, 19-14, 20-13, 21-01, 21- 13, 22-01. The group was requested to implement mixed fisheries bio-economic models to run a number of scenarios up to 2030 with varying parameters, to evaluate a fishing effort reductions for trawlers, longliners and netters in association to vessel number reductions for trawlers, increase in mesh size for trawlers, existing closure areas and catch limits for deep water shrimps (ARA and ARS) through five scenarios and draft a mixed fisheries advice. For all mixed fisheries models applied during the EWG (TOR 3), the data from the DCF official data calls and from the western Mediterranean stock assessments, were updated using data from EWG 22-09 (Western Mediterranean stock assessments) and EWG 22-10 (FDI datacall). The same set of updated data were also used to answer TOR 1 and TOR 2. The exploration of effort data time series (TOR 1) highlighted that in GSA7 the French OTB fleet >18m showed a decrease in fishing days counteracted by an increase of the corresponding fleet segments of French OTT which could be potentially due to a shift in gear use, although experts did not suggest specific causes that would drive this shift. The comparison of fishing days for trawlers (OTB, OTM, OTT, PTB, PTM and TBB as per EU regulation 2019/2236) declared in the FDI official datacall and reported in the 2020 and 2021 regulations were reported this year as well. Discrepancies were found also between 2021 data and the 2021 regulation (as per 2020) with the values reported in the regulation being always higher (for all countries but not for all fleet segments) than the values declared in the FDI datacall. Results suggest that effort is decreasing faster than the regulation for most fleet segments and that the reference period 2015-2017 might not be representative anymore of the effort dynamics of the last few years. For Spain and Italy reductions by 2021 are suggested to be higher than the expected reduction by 2022, while this does not happen for France. From the data quality checks very minor issues were highlighted and there was no reporting in the DTMT of these issues. EWG 22-11 would like to ask for clarifications to MSs concerning the association of gear type with the upper level of aggregation fishing technique as it was observed that odd matching were found which could undermine the calculation of fishing days in the comparisons with the yearly regulations. Specifically the gear OTB was often found under the PGP fishing technique and experts present at the EWG were not able to explain this match. The estimated F by gear and GSA (TOR2) allowed updating the analysis of the linear relationship between F and E. As in previous years a linear relationship consistent across GSAs and stocks was not found. The HKE, MUT and ARA stocks showed a linear relationship with OTB in some cases. For HKE 1567 the relationship did not hold once observed by GSA (although this could be a modelling artefact from the assessment model) or in EMU 2. MUT showed a linear relationship in GSA 6 and 7 with OTB and OTT (but results for GSA 7 should be taken with caution as there is a very strong variation in F for a lower variation of effort). ARA in EMU 1 by GSA (and on the overall stock 6-7) showed a linear relationship with OTB. No relationship was found for gears as LLS, GTR (except for MUT in 9) or GNS, neither for the stocks of DPS or ARS. EWG 22-11 suggests that running the analysis at metier level would give more meaningful results, although it should be noted that the metier is a very unstable resolution of fisheries, therefore difficult to define as data sources. To the methodological section of models (Section 5) two subsections were added, one on the models behavior during mid and long term projections and one on the relationship between biomass increase and economic gain. All models at the moment are suggested to be used for mid-term projections but not for long-term projections as the population dynamics are led either by stock recruitment relationships (BEMTOOL), which are not robust at the moment due to the nature of the data or led by recruitment stochasticity (IAM, ISIS-Fish and SMART), based on a random resampling of the time series but not accounting for potential environmental effects. This year for EMU 1 new analytical assessments were available to EWG 22-11 such as ARA 5, DPS 1 and DPS 5-6-7. In EMU 2, instead, 2 stocks were lost as it was not possible to have an updated analytical assessment due to data issues for MUT 10 and ARA 8-9-10-11. As ARA is one of the stocks with a catch limit defined by the EU Regulation 2022/110, the limitations due to the lack of assessment for this species when running the models in EWG 22-11, should be noted. Based on the final draft report from EWG 22-09, stock assessment of Western Mediterranean, which will be presented to STECF in November 2022, but has not yet been endorsed by STECF, the EWG observed that in 2020, 94% and, in 2021, 79% of the stocks were not at MSY. In 2022, the EWG shows that 73% of the stocks are not at MSY and 53% remain severely overfished. Some of the stocks could be already responding positively to the MAP measures, although the MAP has been implemented only since 2020 and the data available are only up to 2021. 9 out of 14 assessed stocks have decreasing fishing mortality, however, there are 4 stocks still behind transition to MSY of which two have declining biomass and increasing fishing mortality. Some stocks need particular attention for their low biomass level. EWG 22-09 identified as below the biomass reference point (Blim): Hake in GSAs 1-5-6-7, Hake in GSAs 8-9-10-11 and Blue and red shrimp in GSAs 1-2. In addition, five stocks are also below Bpa. Despite progress towards MSY, high levels of overfishing remains in particular for hake and deep-water shrimps. Models results (Section 6) showed that for EMU 1 (result only from IAM) none of the proposed scenarios (5 scenarios + status quo) achieved the objective of reaching FMSY by 2025. Red mullet in GSA 6 (MUT6) never reaches its Fmsy range during the simulation period (2022-2030) under any scenario, and hake in GSA 1-5-6-7 (HKE1567) is still above Fmsy in 2025. The other stock that is slightly behind the objectives is red mullet in GSA 1 (MUT1) with all scenarios. However, the other stocks (ARA12, ARA5, ARA67, NEP6, MUT7, DPS1 and DPS567) reach their FMSY range in 2025 with scenarios A to D. Only with the status quo scenario (scenario F) the FMSY range is not reached in 2025 for some of those stocks. Globally, all scenarios foresee some important negative economic impact for French and Spanish trawlers in the short and medium term with a decrease in their Gross Value Added. Even with scenario F (i.e. status quo), French trawler GVA is negative from 2022. This is due to the fuel price used in the simulation in 2022 and beyond from AER 2022 projections, where prices increased a lot compared to their initial values. Due to time constraints, it was not possible to have results from the ISIS-Fish model for EMU 1. For EMU 2 the setting of a maximum catch limit on ARA and ARS allows to approach FMSY for ARS, but not for HKE, even when in combination with other measures such as reduction of fishing days and number of vessels and change in selectivity. For ARS 8-9-10-11, NEP 9 and MUT 9 all scenarios implemented allow to reach FMSY in 2025 except for the status quo scenario (F). ARS, ARA and NEP stocks would benefit of all the scenarios, due to the re-allocation of the effort from the deep-water metier (OTB_DWS and OTB_DES) to the demersal (OTB_DES). This reallocation produces an increase in the fishing pressure on demersal fishing grounds, contributing to partly reduce the underutilization of red mullet in GSA 10, red mullet in GSA 9 and Norway lobster in GSA 9, but also increasing the F of hake. The total revenues and gross value added for the overall fleet are predicted to slightly increase with respect to the lowest values of the time series reached in 2020-2021. For scenarios A, B and D total revenues across all fleets will decrease compared to the SQ scenario (F), remaining above the recent values. A similar pattern is observed for gross value added. Simulations on fuel price increase of 120% (of the average fuel price in 2022) in 2023 onwards in EMU 1 showed an exacerbation on the GVA of fleet segments that already suffered from the management implementation. It should be highlighted that already with the "fuel option 1" (with fuel price in 2022 and onwards from AER projections), the economic performances are already negative, especially for French fleets, as the fuel price has strongly increased compared to 2021. Estimations of GVA in 2022, when effort reductions are still quite limited, are already negative suggesting that the negative GVAs are mainly due to the 2022 fuel price peak. In EMU 2 as well the main effect is to observe a lower GVA; specifically, the difference between the best performing scenario, that is B, and the status quo (F) is smaller. Here as well, the increase in fuel costs impacts more importantly on the GVA, compared to the decrease in fixed costs imposed by the effort limitations. For the application of the bio-economic models for the assessment of the development regarding the implementation of the West Med MAP it was decided to follow the methodology of the AER and, therefore, subsidies are not included in the calculations for income. The financial situation which the bio-economic models present for the year 2022 and beyond depend a lot on the assumptions regarding the development of fuel prices but include no mitigation measures for the fishing companies (like de minimis payments to cover parts of the increase in fuel costs 2022). Therefore, the modelling results show a lower level of gross value added compared to the real situation of the fishing companies. EWG 22-11 suggests that from an economic standpoint, it would make sense to conduct a detailed impact assessment (IA) for the further implementation of the West Med MAP. With such an assessment it would be possible to calculate possible scenarios (including possible mitigation and adaptation measures) regarding the implementation of effort reduction and the possible economic performance of the fishing fleets. The EU MSs affected by the management plan could then discuss possible mitigation and adaptation measures for the fishing sector. As such an IA is not requested by the West Med MAP it would have not follow the usual procedure within DG Mare and can be limited to assessments within the STECF context. EWG 22-11 concludes that the EWG chair and the STECF bureau should discuss with DG MARE how far such an impact assessment would be possible for the next EWG meeting in March 2023. Concerning economic indicators (Section 7), EWG 22-11 suggests that all the different bio- economic modules should report the same economic indicators and specific reference points should be defined in order to evaluate the economic results of the different simulated scenarios in a consistent way. The selected economic indicators should be harmonized with the ones applied by STECF for the assessment of the economic performance of the fleet (AER) and the “balance” indicators. Also, in the STECF report 18-15 (STECF 2018) indicators are proposed which could be possibly applied. Additionally EWG 22-11 highlights that there are no indicators on sociological characteristics in the bio-economic models so far. Some of the models give “social” indicators, but in general these are closely related to the economic ones (gross value added, crew share, employment) and they do not actually produce detailed results on the social impact of fisheries policies. Additional sections (Section 7) were added to review available information on technological creep in the western Mediterranean in the last ten years, but no information seems to be available now to account for this parameter within the models. A new section was dedicated to the development of a standardized ad hoc datacall for VMS and logbook data for MSs involved in the West Med MAP. The aim is to ease communication with MSs on the submission of these data and obtain a standardized format for all MSs that would fasten the work of experts in future EWGs. Due to time constraints, the two spatial modeling groups (SMART and ISIS-Fish) could not fulfill the scenarios requested in the TORs. The parameterization of such models is complex and time consuming, therefore to be able to respond to all TORs EWG 22-11 suggested that it would be very helpful to have scenarios at list a month before the beginning of the working group as it was done for EWG 22-01. Finally, in order to ease the work of EWGs concerned with the evaluation of effort and catch limit regime in the Western Mediterranean, catch at age matrices, F at age matrices and LFDs by GSA and gear for HKE and MUT stocks should be prepared in advance of the EWGs. This work could be held either during the western Mediterranean stock assessment EWG (to be evaluated with the chair of the EWG) or by a short ad hoc contract. European Union Published Refereed

Published
2022

4. SEAwise Report on the Key Social and Economic Aspects of Regional Fisheries

Author

Plataniotis, A., Koundouri, Phoebe, Stratopoulou, A., Rindorf, A., Jacobsen, N. S., Brown, E., Bastardie, F., Savina Rolland, M., Maroño, S. S., Andres, M., Garcia, D., Uhlmann, S., Reid, D., Romagnoni, G., Spedicato, M.T., Lembo, G., Bitetto, I., Liontakis, A., Vassilopoulou, C., Papadopoulou, N., Taylor, M., Kempf, A., Stelzenmüller, V., Depestele, J., Hamon, K., Kraan, M., Northridge, S., Muench, A., Voss, R., Eliasen, S. Q., Frangoudes, K., Heath, M., Moalla, N., Melia, P., Poos, J. J., Binch, L., Plataniotis, A., Koundouri, Phoebe, Stratopoulou, A., Rindorf, A., Jacobsen, N. S., Brown, E., Bastardie, F., Savina Rolland, M., Maroño, S. S., Andres, M., Garcia, D., Uhlmann, S., Reid, D., Romagnoni, G., Spedicato, M.T., Lembo, G., Bitetto, I., Liontakis, A., Vassilopoulou, C., Papadopoulou, N., Taylor, M., Kempf, A., Stelzenmüller, V., Depestele, J., Hamon, K., Kraan, M., Northridge, S., Muench, A., Voss, R., Eliasen, S. Q., Frangoudes, K., Heath, M., Moalla, N., Melia, P., Poos, J. J., and Binch, L.

Abstract

Fishing is a human activity with various social and economic implications. In most countries, those implications are key factors to consider when deciding on specific management strategies. In this report, the fisheries management strategies implemented in the different European marine regions are reviewed, and relevant indicators, models and tools that can be used to predict the effectiveness of these strategies, from a social and economic point of view are identified. The objective was to identify the critical social and economic aspects of fisheries, relevant social and economic indicators, and regionally-relevant management measures to be considered in the evaluations of different management strategies later in the project. The scoping consultations and systematic reviews identified a long list of potentially relevant key social and economic aspects and management measures. Among these, the most frequently mentioned items identified in scoping with stakeholders were windfarms, employment/jobs, MPAs, food supply, small-scale fisheries, local communities and pollution. The systematic review identified landings (volume or value), effort (days at sea), fuel costs, number of vessels, profit, aspects of costs, economic performance, sustainability-resilience, compliance and capacity as frequently occurring topics. The fisheries management policies most frequently mentioned were effort control, landing obligation, Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ), MPAs and TAC. Among the papers analyzed, more than 30%, concerned the Mediterranean region, followed by Western Waters, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, indicating a higher contribution of Mediterranean studies to the conclusions. Aspects identified frequently in both scoping and in systematic reviews included MPAs and small-scale fisheries, which were all identified in both methods as frequently occurring. However, there were also aspects which appeared to be represented differently in the evaluations (e

Published
2022

5. SEAwise Report on review guidelines to be used in tasks 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1

Author

Brown, E. J., Damalas, D., Savina-Rolland, M., Plataniotis, A., Maina, I., Pantazi, M., Uhlmann, S., Beukhof, E., Kavadas, S., Koundouri, P., Garcia, D., Bitetto, I., Rindorf, A., Reid, D., Piet, G., Brown, E. J., Damalas, D., Savina-Rolland, M., Plataniotis, A., Maina, I., Pantazi, M., Uhlmann, S., Beukhof, E., Kavadas, S., Koundouri, P., Garcia, D., Bitetto, I., Rindorf, A., Reid, D., and Piet, G.

Abstract

This deliverable report provides the framework, guidelines, and specific instructions for systematic reviews to be undertaken with SEAwise. The report also includes pre-registered review protocols for five key systematic reviews focussing on the social effects of and on fishing, ecological effects on fisheries yield, ecological effects of fisheries, spatial management impacts, and evaluation of management strategies. The results of these reviews are reported in subsequent x.1 deliverable reports and will provide a synthesis of foundational knowledge for each of SEAwise’s work packages two-through-six, respectively. This report contains a brief overview of the motivation for undertaking a series of systematic reviews and the selected framework that is being employed for all reviews across the project. Furthermore, this report provides detailed instructions for carrying out each step of a systematic review which can be applied to both the key SEAwise reviews, but also any other review either within or outside of this project. This includes, descriptions of how important databases function, R-scripts for processing records from databases and approaches to data-management for large collaborative reviews. Additionally, this report serves as the repository for the search protocols for five reviews. These protocols ensure transparent methods and reduced bias in the searching, screening and data extraction. The success of the coordination across five large-scale systematic reviews is illustrated in the coherence of the approaches and detailed methods described in this report.

Published
2022

6. SEAwise report on fisher behaviour submodules : Deliverable 2.5

Author

Kraan, M., Bitetto, I., Bellanger, M., Brown, E., Depestele, J., Frangoudes, K., Hamon, K., Hegland, T., Lehuta, S., Letschert, J., Liontakis, A., Mendo, T., Muench, A., Northridge, S., Pecceu, E., Spedicato, M.T., Stelzenmüller, V., Sys, K., Rindorf, A., Kraan, M., Bitetto, I., Bellanger, M., Brown, E., Depestele, J., Frangoudes, K., Hamon, K., Hegland, T., Lehuta, S., Letschert, J., Liontakis, A., Mendo, T., Muench, A., Northridge, S., Pecceu, E., Spedicato, M.T., Stelzenmüller, V., Sys, K., and Rindorf, A.

Abstract

The SEAwise project works to deliver a fully operational tool that will allow fishers, managers, and policy makers to easily apply Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) in their own fisheries. One of the key uncertainties in fisheries science and management can be linked to (our understanding of) fishers behaviour. In this deliverable we seek to better understand fishers behaviour by assessing literature, interviews and data to advance towards a better representation of fisher behaviour in our modelling. A better understanding of fisher behaviour is especially needed in the context of change affecting Europe’s marine ecosystems. Change is both related to the natural part of the ecosystem (i.e. climate change) as to the social side of the ecosystem (i.e. building of windparks).To that aim we present 9 different case studies in Europe as examples of how fisher behaviour has been studied and which factors are (or can be) relevant for a better understanding of fisher behaviour. Each case study ends with a table summarising the factors influencing behaviour, the categories within that factor and the (potential) application in modelling as well as the implications for management. The table below summarises the factors found / used in the case studies and the elements (social, cultural, ecological, economic and institutional) to which the relate. A variety of social factors were identified that are promising for use in modelling. A key conclusion is that social data are often context dependant and cannot be copy pasted from one situation to the other and in some case, additional data needs to be collected. The cases also demonstrate that mixed methods approaches and interdisciplinary approaches are key to get in-depth of understanding of fisher behaviour in fisheries science.

Published
2022

7. Evaluation of maximum catch limits and closure areas in the Western Mediterranean (STECF-22-01)

Author

Pinto, C, Bastardie, F, Bitetto, I, Borges, L, Certain, G, Gourguet, S, Grati, F, Kupschus, s, Leutha, S, Mannini, A, Maynou, F, Merzereaud, M, Musumeci, C, Phan, T.A, Pierucci, A, Russo, T, Sala-Coromina, J, Spedicato, M.T, Tassetti, A.N, Viva, C, Pinto, Cecilia, Mannini, Alessandro, and STECF

Subjects
SMART, ISIS-FISH, Bio-economic models, IAM, TAC, ITQ, BEMTOOL, Economic indicators, Maximum catch limits
Abstract

Commission Decision of 25 February 2016 setting up a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, C(2016) 1084, OJ C 74, 26.2.2016, p. 4–10. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to marine and fisheries biology, fishing gear technology, fisheries economics, fisheries governance, ecosystem effects of fisheries, aquaculture or similar disciplines. This report is the eighth of a suite of STECF EWG reports dedicated to the evaluation of the implementation of the Western Mediterranean Sea Multi-Annual management Plan (hereafter, MAP), following EWG reports 18-09, 18-13, 19-01, 19-14, 20-13, 21-01 and 21-13. The group was requested to implement mixed fisheries bio-economic models to run a number of scenarios up to 2025 with varying parameters and up to 2030 with fixed parameters, to evaluate existing closure areas implemented since 2020 and 2022, maximum catch limits (MCLs) implemented since 2022 and draft a mixed fisheries advice. For all mixed fisheries models applied during the EWG, the data from the DCF official data calls and from the western Mediterranean stock assessments, were the same as the ones used during STECF EWG 21-13, as there were no updates since 2021. The non-spatially explicit mixed fisheries models, IAM (for EMU 1) and BEMTOOL (for EMU 2), focused on the scenarios evaluating MCLs on ARA, ARS and HKE. Reference MCLs for ARA and ARS where obtained from the Regulation EU 2022/110 and from STECF EWG 21-11, while for HKE were obtained solely from EWG 21-11. IAM was updated to differentiate between a coastal and a deep-water trawling within the Spanish fleet segments, as France does not have a deep-water fishery at present. As the model timescale has a yearly resolution, it was not possible to estimate the effect of a monthly MCL. The scenarios considered had a MCL for HKE, one for ARA, and one for both HKE and ARA. These scenarios were run for a decreasing MCL through time (forward scenario: aims at reaching catch at Fmsy by 2025) and an increasing MCL through time (inverse scenario: starting value is catch at Fmsy) accounting for the distribution of stocks by GSA, for a total of 10 scenarios alternative to the baseline. None of the scenarios allowed reaching Fmsy for all six species targeted by the MAP, except when applying a MCL on both ARA and HKE, simultaneously. The results for the HKE stock should be taken with caution as the MCL was applied only to trawlers in these scenarios, but this species can generally be targeted also by longliners and gillnetters. The economic consequences of scenarios accounting for a MCL on HKE, or both ARA and HKE, lead to a massive drop of GVA for the Spanish and French trawling fleets, while economic advantages are observed for longliners and gillnetters. BEMTOOL was updated and refined to consider the different types of fishing activity exerted by each fleet segment at metier level. The model timescale is set at a monthly resolution, so it was possible to run scenarios accounting for a monthly MCL (monthly flexibility was not considered). Only scenarios accounting for a MCL either for ARA or ARS where run, but never in combination (ARA+ARS), nor considering a MCL on HKE, for a total of eight scenarios: forward scenario, inverse scenario, monthly forward scenario, monthly inverse scenario, once with an MCL on ARA and once with an MCL on ARS. Implementing a MCL on the deep-water fisheries suggested an improvement for all stocks except for HKE. ARA and ARS would improve thanks to the control of the MCL, while MUT, DPS and NEP would stay within the upper and lower limits of Fmsy, despite the reallocation of fishing effort from deep to coastal fisheries. The implementation of a reverse MCL did not show a recovery of the stocks. Moreover, a MCL split by month seems to have a lower impact on the catches of ARA and ARS in the short term. The GVA shows an increase for the passive gears fleets (i.e., gillnetters and longliners) and a strong decrease for all trawling fleets in the first two years, with a stable trend over the following years. The spatially explicit mixed fisheries model ISIS-Fish also ran scenarios accounting for MCLs, but only for HKE in GSA 7, implementing a forward, an inverse and a monthly MCL for a total of four scenarios. The forward scenario led to fishing mortalities below Fmsy in 2025 because the value defined for MCL did not account for biomass rebuilding. On the other hand, the fishing mortality achieved using the HCR in the inverse scenario, never fell below Fmsy, because of the unrestricted catches of netters and long-liners. In terms of revenues, both MCL paths led to strong decreases for trawlers. The spatially explicit mixed fisheries models, ISIS-Fish (GSA 7) and SMART (EMU 2), focused on the evaluation of closure areas: existing closure areas, existing closure areas which were seasonal to become permanent, existing closure areas extended to all fishing gears, additional closure areas (only EMU 2), expansion of closure areas by 50% (only EMU 2) and expansion of closure areas by 100% (only EMU 2). ISIS-Fish was applied only for HKE in GSA 7 being the first time this model was used within this working group. The extension of closure areas to all fishing gears (passive gears on top of trawlers) in GSA 7 did not show any improvement, while shifting from a seasonal to a permanent closure showed a decrease in F and an increase in SSB. A decrease of catches of juvenile hake of 20% was observed both with seasonal and permanent closures. Catches of adults increased due to recovery of the stock and considering the low level of initial catches. It should be noted that revenues increased for passive gears but decreased for trawlers. SMART was updated, increasing the spatial resolution of the spatial grid of the model, to be in line with outputs of the ad-hoc contracts preceding the EWG and with ISIS-Fish. None of the scenarios considered for EMU 2 evaluating spatial closures allowed to reach Fmsy by 2025, except for MUT in 10 and NEP in 9 which remains underutilized. SSB shows, nevertheless, an increase across years. None of the scenarios allowed to reduce catches by 20% for all species. All scenarios are associated with a sharp decrease in revenues; spatial closures not widened or seasonal would involve lower decrease of the profits than widened and permanent closures. Loss of profits is more evident for VL12-18 and VL18-24, although the loss is evident for all fleet segments. During EWG 22-01 no explicit comparison between the implementation of an effort regime and a MCL regime was run. The group advices to do so accounting for the limitations encountered in the implementation of MCLs during EWG 22-01. It should be noted that the reduction of GVA is estimated in the short term (up to 2025), but further tests should be done to estimate the trend of GVAs in the mid- and long-term. It is highlighted that given the large number of other species exploited beyond the key ones included in the management plan and in the simulation models, the actual socio-economic impact of the plan remains uncertain. Also, the economic results are presented considering a constant number of vessels, and would differ if the number of vessels is reduced. Additionally, it is difficult to evaluate the socio-economic impact of the MAP on the fleets as at present no socio-economic reference points are used to compare the results against those. European Union Submitted Non Refereed

Published
2022

8. Stock Assessments: demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea (STECF-21-11)

Author

Simmonds, J., Bitetto, I., Certain, G., Farrè, M., Panisello, M.G., Guijarro, B., Ligas, A., Mantopoulou, D., Martin, P., Maynou, F., Murenu, M., Musumeci, C., Orio, A., Pesci, P., Pierucci, A., Pinto, C., Ramirez, J., Sbrana, M., Tsikliras, A., Gras, M., Mannini, A., Simmonds, J., Mannini, A., and Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)

Subjects
Fisheries biology, Management advice, Fisheries economics, Fisheries governance, Fish stock assessment, Fishing gear technology, Modelling, MSY
Abstract

The working group was held in remotely, from 6th to 10th Sept 2021. The meeting was attended by 20 experts in total, including two STECF members and two JRC experts along with one observer. The objective of the Mediterranean Methodology EWG 21-11 was to carry out assessments and provide draft advice for stocks identified in the ToR supplied by STECF. An initial plenary session commenced at 09:00 on the first day. The ToRs were discussed and examined in detail. Stocks were allocated to participants based on expertise. An ad-hoc ftp repository was created to share documents, data and scripts and prepare the report. The stock assessments were evaluated by all participants. Following EWG 21-02 data preparation EWG data was available for assessments much earlier in the meeting, in all cases by Tuesday night. For stocks with assessment issues some sensitivity test were possible, but for DWRS in GSA 1,5,6,7 exploratory assessments were not fully concluded given time limitations. Over the week plenary sessions were held each day to monitor progress and share results. The overall conclusions for each stock were discussed and finalized in plenary on the Friday. After the main meeting it became apparent that the selected assessment for red and blue shrimp in GSA 1 had issues with the form of the model, the model was re-examined and details circulated to all EWG participants. A short 45minute plenary was held on Tuesday 21st and a revised assessment was agreed. This report contains this final assessment and advice based on it. European Commission European Union, Joint Research Centre Published Refereed

Published
2021

9. Stock assessments in the Mediterranean Sea 2021 – Adriatic and Ionian Seas (STECF-21-15)

Author

Simmonds, J., Bitetto, I., Cikes Kec, V., Daskalov, G., Isajlovic, I., Kupshus, S., Mantopoulou, D., Murenu, M., Orio, A., Pierucci, A., Sgardeli, V., Touloumis, K., Tserpes, G., Mannini, A., Simmonds, J., Mannini, A., and Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)

Subjects
Fisheries biology, Management advice, Fisheries economics, Fisheries governance, Fishing gear technology, Fish stock assessment, MSY, Modelling
Abstract

Commission Decision of 25 February 2016 setting up a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, C(2016) 1084, OJ C 74, 26.2.2016, p. 4–10. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to marine and fisheries biology, fishing gear technology, fisheries economics, fisheries governance, ecosystem effects of fisheries, aquaculture or similar disciplines. This report is from STECF Expert Working Group 21-15: 2021 stock assessments of demersal stocks in Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Seas from the meeting held remotely from 18th to 22th October 2021. A total of 9 fish stocks were evaluated. One stock had prior advice from 2020 for 2021 and 2022, and this is reiterated here. Index advice for 2022 and 2023 is provide for one other stock. The EWG reports age based assessments and short term forecasts for 5 of the remaining 7 stocks and surplus production assessments for two stocks. The content of the report gives the STECF terms of reference, the basis of the evaluations and advice, summaries of state of stock and advised based on either the MSY approach for assessed stocks or the precautionary approach for category 3 based advice. The report contains the full stock assessment reports for the 7 assessments, the exploration of assessments and category 3 evaluations for the remaining five stocks. The report also contains the STECF observations and conclusions on the assessment report. These conclusions come from the STECF Plenary meeting November 2021. European Commission European Union, Joint Research Centre Published Refereed

Published
2021

10. Stock Assessments in the Mediterranean Sea – Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Seas (STECF-20-15)

Author

Simmonds, J., Bitetto, I., Vania, C.K., Daskalov, G., Ligas, A., Mantopoulou, D., Murenu, M., Orio, A., Pierucci, A., Ticina, V., Tserpes, G., Tsikliras, A., Pinto, C., Mannini, A., Simmonds, J., Pinto, C., Mannini, C., and Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)

Subjects
Fisheries biology, Management advice, Fisheries economics, Fisheries governance, Fish stock assessment, Fishing gear technology, Modelling, MSY
Abstract

The working group was held in remotely, from 12th to 20th Sept 2020. The meeting was attended by 14 experts in total, including two STECF member and two JRC experts. The EWG had two observers who attended part time. The objective of the Mediterranean Methodology EWG 20-15 was to carry out assessments and provide draft advice for stocks identified in the ToR supplied by STECF. An initial plenary session commenced at 09:30 on the first day. The ToRs were discussed and examined in detail. Stocks were allocated to participants based on expertise. An ftp repository was created ad-hoc to share documents, data and scripts and prepare the report. The stocks were evaluated by the GSA groups identified in the ToRs. Most of the work was concluded by Tuesday 20 Sept, after 7 full days of work, and some additional work at the weekend. Over the 7 working days plenary sessions were held each day to monitor progress and share results. The overall conclusions for each stock were discussed and finalized in plenary on the Tuesday. European Commission European Union, Joint Research Centre Published Refereed

Published
2020

11. Stock Assessments: demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea (STECF-20-09)

Author

Simmonds, J., Bitetto, I., Certain, G., Daskalov, G., Panisello, M.G., Guijarro, B., Ligas, A., Mantopoulou, D., Martin, P., Murenu, M., Musumeci, C., Orio, A., Pesci, P., Pierucci, A., Ramirez, J., Sbrana, M., Tsikliras, A., Winker, H., Konrad, C., Pinto, C., Mannini, A., Simmonds, John, Pinto, Cecilia, Mannini, Alessandro, and Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)

Subjects
Fisheries biology, Management advice, Stock assessment, Fisheries economics, Fisheries governance, MSY, Fishing gear technology
Abstract

The working group was held in remotely, from 7th to 18th Sept 2020. The meeting was attended by 21 experts in total, including three STECF members and four JRC experts. The EWG had two observers who attended part time. The objective of the Mediterranean Methodology EWG 20-09 was to carry out assessments and provide draft advice for stocks identified in the ToR supplied by STECF. An initial plenary session commenced at 09:30 on the first day. The ToRs were discussed and examined in detail. Stocks were allocated to participants based on expertise. An ftp repository was created ad-hoc to share documents, data and scripts and prepare the report. The stock assessments were evaluated by the by all participants. Most of the work was concluded by Tuesday 15 Sept, after 7 full days of work, and some additional work at the weekend. However, two stocks remained to be completed, this extra work was carried out largely by two participant with support from small subgroups. The WG met for a final session on Friday 18 Sept. to conclude the work on one stock. Following extensive trials the last stock could not be assessed with an analytic age based assessment and advice was based on the MEDITS index. Over the first 7 working days plenary sessions were held each day to monitor progress and share results. The overall conclusions for each stock were discussed and finalized in plenary on the Tuesday, though the last assessment was finalised on the following Friday, the last day of the meeting. European Commission European Union, Joint Research Centre Published Refereed

Published
2020

12. 2019 Stock Assessments part 2: European fisheries for demersal species in the Adriatic Sea (STECF-19- 16)

Author

Bitetto, I., Cikes, V., Costantini, I., Daskalov, G., Isajlovic, I., Ligas, A., Mannini, A., Mantopoulou, D., Murenu, M., Orio, A., Pierucci, A., Pinto, C., Romagnoni, G., Simmonds, J., Vrgoc, N., Simmonds, John, Mannini, Alessandro, Pinto, Cecilia, and Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)

Subjects
Fisheries biology, Ecosystem effects of fisheries, Management advice, Fisheries economics, Fisheries governance, Fish stock assessment, Modelling, Fishing gear technology, MSY
Abstract

Commission Decision of 25 February 2016 setting up a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, C(2016) 1084, OJ C 74, 26.2.2016, p. 4–10. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to marine and fisheries biology, fishing gear technology, fisheries economics, fisheries governance, ecosystem effects of fisheries, aquaculture or similar disciplines. . This report is from STECF Expert Working Group 19-16: 2019 stock assessments of demersal stocks in the Adriatic Sea from the meeting in Rome Italy from 14th to 20th October 2019. A total of seven fish species were evaluated for GSA 17, 18 and 19. The EWG reports age based assessments and short term forecasts for all seven stocks. The content of the report gives the STECF terms of reference, the basis of the evaluations and advice, summaries of state of stock and advised based on either the MSY approach for assessed. The report contains the full stock assessment reports for the seven assessments, and three exploratory assessments for deep-water rose shrimp for each GSA separately. Advice for deep-water rose shrimp is based on the combined stock, the report also contains the STECF observations and conclusions on the assessment report. These conclusions come from the STECF Plenary meeting November 2019. European Commission European Union, Joint Research Centre Published Refereed

Published
2019

13. Recreational and small-scale fisheries may pose a threat to vulnerable species in coastal and offshore waters of the western Mediterranean

Author

Lloret, J, primary, Biton-Porsmoguer, S, additional, Carreño, A, additional, Di Franco, A, additional, Sahyoun, R, additional, Melià, P, additional, Claudet, J, additional, Sève, C, additional, Ligas, A, additional, Belharet, M, additional, Calò, A, additional, Carbonara, P, additional, Coll, M, additional, Corrales, X, additional, Lembo, G, additional, Sartor, P, additional, Bitetto, I, additional, Vilas, D, additional, Piroddi, C, additional, Prato, G, additional, Charbonnel, E, additional, Bretton, O, additional, Hartmann, V, additional, Prats, L, additional, and Font, T, additional

Published
2019
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14. Demersal cephalopod communities in the Mediterranean – a large scale analysis

Author

Keller, S. (Stefanie), Hidalgo, M. (Manuel), Álvarez-Berastegui, D. (Diego), Bitetto, I. (Isabella), Casciaro, L. (Loredana), Cuccu, D. (Danila), Esteban-Acón, A. (Antonio), Garofalo, G. (Germana), González-Aguilar, M. (María), Guijarro, B. (Beatriz), Josephides, M. (Marios), Jadaud, A. (Angélique), Lefkaditou, E. (Eugenia), Maiorano, P. (Porzia), Manfredi, C. (Chiara), Marceta, B. (Bojan), Micallef, R. (Reno), Peristeraki, P. (Panagiota), Relini, G. (Giulio), Sartor, P. (Paolo), Spedicato, M.T. (Maria Teresa), Tserpes, G. (George), and Quetglas, A. (Antoni)

Subjects
Cephalopods, Community analysis, Environmental gradients, Mediterranean, Bottom trawl surveys, MEDITS
Abstract

Cephalopod assemblages at the scale of the entire Mediterranean Sea were analysed using information from 2 decades of standardized scientific bottom trawl surveys. Western and eastern assemblages (6 yr of data) were compared using a combined approach of multivariate ordination techniques and non-linear regressions. These methods enabled us to distinguish assemblages and simultaneously analyse the influence of geographic, bathymetric and environmental (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration) gradients on observed community patterns. Despite few differences in species composition between sub-basins, the relative contribution of species differed. Bathymetry was the primary structural driver for the cephalopod communities of both basins, and contributed to 3 assemblages (shallow water, upper slope and middle slope). Winter temperature influenced community assemblages more strongly in the western than in the eastern basin, in contrast to a small but consistent winter productivity influence on community assemblages in both basins. Thus, the environmental parameters analysed did not cause an immediate change in cephalopod assemblages, but rather an effect lagged by several months. Differences in the relative importance of environmental drivers show that different processes operate in the 2 basins. These results demonstrate similarities and differences between Mediterranean basins regarding important cephalopod functional groups. This information should help integrative ecosystem management approaches currently used in fisheries and conservation management.

Published
2017

15. Demersal cephalopod communities in the Mediterranean: a large-scale analysis

Author

Keller, S, primary, Hidalgo, M, additional, Álvarez-Berastegui, D, additional, Bitetto, I, additional, Casciaro, L, additional, Cuccu, D, additional, Esteban, A, additional, Garofalo, G, additional, Gonzalez, M, additional, Guijarro, B, additional, Josephides, M, additional, Jadaud, A, additional, Lefkaditou, E, additional, Maiorano, P, additional, Manfredi, C, additional, Marceta, B, additional, Micallef, R, additional, Peristeraki, P, additional, Relini, G, additional, Sartor, P, additional, Spedicato, MT, additional, Tserpes, G, additional, and Quetglas, A, additional

Published
2017
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16. Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. Mediterranean Fisheries Assessments Part 2 (STECF-14-19)

Author

Cardinale, M. (Massimiliano), Abella, J.A. (J. Alvaro), Martín, P. (Paloma), Scarcella, G. (Giuseppe), Bitetto, I. (Isabella), Carpi, P. (Piera), Colloca, F. (Francesco), Guijarro, B. (Beatriz), Mannini, A. (Alessandro), Maynou, F. (Francesc), Morello, E. (Elisabetta), Murenu, M. (Matteo), Orio, A. (Alessandro), Pengal, P. (Polona), Pérez-Gil, J.L. (José Luis), Quetglas, A. (Antoni), Recasens, L. (Laura), Saraux, C. (Claire), Sbrana, M. (Mario), and Torres-Cutillas, P. (Pedro)

Subjects
Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Pesquerías
Abstract

The STECF expert working group "EWG 1419 - Mediterranean assessment part 2", has convened in Rome during 19-23 January 2015 and addressed a series of issues as requested by DG MARE in the correspomnding terms of references. The detailed output of this working group efforts is included in the following report. The report was reviewed by the STECF spring plenary during 13-17 April 2015

Published
2015

17. CoCoNet: Towards coast to coast networks of marine protected areas (From the shore to the high and deep sea), coupled with sea-based wind energy potential

Author

Boero, F, Foglini, F, Fraschetti, S, Goriup, P, Macpherson, E, Planes, S, Soukissian, T, Adiloglu, B, Cristens, G, Delahaye, C, Gregory, I, Jacques, S, Velkova, S, Kontogianni, A, Tourkolias, C, Kollaras, A, Damigos, D, Skourtos, M, Bianco, L, Cesarini, C, Aliani, S, Angeletti, L, Barbieri, L, Beroldo, R, Falcieri, F, Grande, V, Griffa, A, Langone, L, Lazzari, P, Lobato, T, Miserocchi, S, Palamà, D, Sclavo, M, Solidoro, C, Suaria, G, Taviani, M, Toncini, A, Trincardi, F, Vichi, M, Chassanite, A, Claudet, J, Feral, F, Marill, L, Villa, E, Taquet, C, Boissin, E, Mangialajo, L, Bottin, L, Paravicini, V, Baksay, S, Neglia, V, Legoff, M, Dinoi, A, Sahyoun, R, Bitetto, I, Lembo, G, Spedicato, MT, Aglieri, G, Albano, G, Albano, O, Arena, G, Asnaghi, V, Bavestrello, G, Belmonte, G, Cecchi, LB, Bevilacqua, S, Bo, M, Boscari, E, Bulleri, F, Calculli, C, Capezzuto, F, Capone, A, Carlucci, R, Carluccio, A, Casagrandi, R, Vietti, RC, Chiantore, M, Chimienti, G, Ciardo, L, Congiu, L, Corselli, C, Cutrona, A, D'Onghia, G, Bello, MD, Mura, ID, De Leo, F, De Leo, G, De Vito, D, Di Bella, M, Di Camillo, CG, Di Mauro, M, Fai, S, Farella, G, Forin, N, Gatto, M, Ghermandi, A, Giangrande, E, Granata, A, Gravili, C, Guarnieri, G, Rattray, Alexander, Boero, F, Foglini, F, Fraschetti, S, Goriup, P, Macpherson, E, Planes, S, Soukissian, T, Adiloglu, B, Cristens, G, Delahaye, C, Gregory, I, Jacques, S, Velkova, S, Kontogianni, A, Tourkolias, C, Kollaras, A, Damigos, D, Skourtos, M, Bianco, L, Cesarini, C, Aliani, S, Angeletti, L, Barbieri, L, Beroldo, R, Falcieri, F, Grande, V, Griffa, A, Langone, L, Lazzari, P, Lobato, T, Miserocchi, S, Palamà, D, Sclavo, M, Solidoro, C, Suaria, G, Taviani, M, Toncini, A, Trincardi, F, Vichi, M, Chassanite, A, Claudet, J, Feral, F, Marill, L, Villa, E, Taquet, C, Boissin, E, Mangialajo, L, Bottin, L, Paravicini, V, Baksay, S, Neglia, V, Legoff, M, Dinoi, A, Sahyoun, R, Bitetto, I, Lembo, G, Spedicato, MT, Aglieri, G, Albano, G, Albano, O, Arena, G, Asnaghi, V, Bavestrello, G, Belmonte, G, Cecchi, LB, Bevilacqua, S, Bo, M, Boscari, E, Bulleri, F, Calculli, C, Capezzuto, F, Capone, A, Carlucci, R, Carluccio, A, Casagrandi, R, Vietti, RC, Chiantore, M, Chimienti, G, Ciardo, L, Congiu, L, Corselli, C, Cutrona, A, D'Onghia, G, Bello, MD, Mura, ID, De Leo, F, De Leo, G, De Vito, D, Di Bella, M, Di Camillo, CG, Di Mauro, M, Fai, S, Farella, G, Forin, N, Gatto, M, Ghermandi, A, Giangrande, E, Granata, A, Gravili, C, Guarnieri, G, and Rattray, Alexander

Published
2016

18. Recreational and small-scale fisheries may pose a threat to vulnerable species in coastal and offshore waters of the western Mediterranean

Author

Lloret, J., Biton-Porsmoguer, S, Carréno, S., Di Franco, S, Sahyoun, S, Melià, P, Claudet, J., Sève, J, Ligas, A, Belharet, P, Calò, S, Carbonara, S, Coll, S, Corrales, S, Lembo, S, Sartor, S, Bitetto, S, Vilas, S, Piroddi, J, Prato, R, Charbonnel, J, Bretton, J, Hartmann, R, Prats, R, Font, S, Browman, Howard, UNIVERSITAT DE GIRONA FACULTY OF SCIENCES GIRONA ESP, Partenaires IRSTEA, Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA), Ecology and Conservation Science for Sustainable Seas (ECOSEAS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Politecnico di Milano [Milan] (POLIMI), Centre de recherches insulaires et observatoire de l'environnement (CRIOBE), Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina ed Ecologia Applicata (C.I.B.M.), COISPA Tecnologia & Ricerca, COISPA, Institute of Marine Sciences / Institut de Ciències del Mar [Barcelona] (ICM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), European Commission - Joint Research Centre [Ispra] (JRC), W.W.F. Italia, Réserve naturelle marine de Cérbère Banyuls, Réserves Naturelles de France, Réserve Naturelle Marine de la Réunion (GIP-RNMR), Department of environmental sciences, Universitat de Girona (UdG), Ecosystèmes Côtiers Marins et Réponses aux Stress (ECOMERS), Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (... - 2019) (UNS), COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015 - 2019) (COMUE UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015 - 2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), WWF France Fondation, Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL (LabEX CORAIL), Université des Antilles (UA)-Institut d'écologie et environnement-Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (UNC)-Université de la Polynésie Française (UPF)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS)-Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), European Commission, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Lloret, J, Biton-Porsmoguer, S, Carreño, A, Di Franco, A, Sahyoun, R, Melià, P, Claudet, J, Sève, C, Ligas, A, Belharet, M, Calò, A, Carbonara, P, Coll, M, Corrales, X, Lembo, G, Sartor, P, Bitetto, I, Vilas, D, Piroddi, C, Prato, G, Charbonnel, E, Bretton, O, Hartmann, V, Prats, L, and Font, T

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, Mediterranean climate, Small-scale fishers (SSF), Target and by-catch, [SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, recreational and small-scale fishing, Aquatic Science, Oceanography, 010603 evolutionary biology, 01 natural sciences, AUT, fisheries management, marine protected areas, recreational fisheries (RF), small-scale fisheries (SSF), target and bycatch, threatened species, Marine protected areas, Vulnerable species, 14. Life underwater, Recreation, fishing pressure, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, fishing impacts on vulnerable species, Ecology, 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology, Extinction, [SDE.ES]Environmental Sciences/Environmental and Society, Management, Fishery, Geography, Scale (social sciences), [SDE]Environmental Sciences, Coastal and offshore fisheries, Marine protected area, Submarine pipeline, [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology, Fishing methods, western mediterranean
Abstract

10 pages, 3 figures, supplementary material https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsz071, This study evaluates the fishing pressure exerted by the most common recreational and professional, small-scale fishing practices on vulnerable target and bycatch species in coastal and offshore waters of the western Mediterranean. By combining multiple data sources, we assembled a unique dataset on catches at multiple sites in these areas by recreational (RF) and small-scale fisheries (SSF), covering the period from 1997 to 2015. Furthermore, a framework with which to identify the vulnerable species among all the species caught is provided; it is based on the IUCN Red List, international conventions for the protection of flora and fauna, the Habitats Directive and the intrinsic vulnerability index of marine fish. Overall, about a quarter of exploited species targeted by SSF and RF in coastal waters were vulnerable, making up nearly 50% of the total SSF catch and nearly 20% of the total recreational catch. In offshore waters, 100% of the RF and SSF catch was made up of vulnerable species. Among the species caught as bycatch in both areas by SSF and RF, there was a total of 27 vulnerable vertebrate species, which included birds, cetaceans, elasmobranchs and sea turtles. Our results highlight the need to differentiate between different fishing methods or gears when studying the fishing impacts on vulnerable species. The results also indicate that, although RF and SSF are often considered to have a relatively low ecological impact, a range of different fishing methods are affecting vulnerable species in coastal or offshore waters in the western Mediterranean Sea, be they targeted or taken unintentionally as bycatch, This study was carried out within the framework of the EU Research Project SAFENET project (“Sustainable Fisheries in EU Mediterranean Waters through Network of MPAs.”, Call for proposals MARE /2014/41, Grant Agreement n. 721708). S. Biton-Porsmoguer benefited from a postdoctoral fellowship (Reference ROMP–2017–200053791), With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)

Published
2020
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19. Reconciling the economic and biological fishery data gathered through the European Data Collection Framework: A new R-tool.

Author

Bitetto I, Malvarosa L, Berkenhagen J, Spedicato MT, Sabatella E, and Döring R

Subjects
Data Collection, Conservation of Natural Resources methods, Fisheries
Abstract

Fishing fleets and targeted stocks are the basis for the design of multiannual management plans at European or Mediterranean levels. Management Strategy Evaluation and bioeconomic modeling need data at a specific level of resolution in terms of time, area and type of fishing activity for analyzing measures for management procedures using simulations. Within the Data Collection Framework, data are to be aggregated at different levels, e.g.: fleet segment and métier, the former linked to the predominant gear and the size of the vessel and the latter to the activity itself. Fishing costs are collected by fleet segment, effort and landings by fleet segment and métier. Bioeconomic modeling for management purposes requires data at the same resolution. The aim of this paper is to describe a methodology, implemented in SECFISH R package, to disaggregate variable cost data from the fleet segment to the métier level. The presented tool allows to determine the correlation between the variable costs of a vessel and its activities to estimate costs at the activity level (e.g. métiers). The tool is applied to selected Italian fleet segments characterized by a variety of métiers and high dynamicity., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Published
2022
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20. A holistic approach to the age validation of Mullus barbatus L., 1758 in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean).

Author

Carbonara P, Intini S, Kolitari J, Joksimović A, Milone N, Lembo G, Casciaro L, Bitetto I, Zupa W, Spedicato MT, and Sion L

Subjects
Aging, Animals, Female, Male, Mediterranean Sea, Otolithic Membrane anatomy & histology, Otolithic Membrane growth & development, Perciformes anatomy & histology, Seasons, Perciformes growth & development
Abstract

The growth of Mullus barbatus has been widely studied using different methods, but no previous study has focused on age validation. The uncertainty in estimating the age of the red mullet by otolith reading is linked to the number of false-growth increments laid down before the annulus. The capture of red mullets in the early life stage allowed us to estimate their size at the metamorphosis from the pelagic to the demersal phase. The comparison between the metamorphosis size and the back-calculated length of the first growth increment clarified the position of the false growth increment on the otolith. Moreover, the analyses of the otolith marginal increments in adult and juvenile specimens allowed us to define the deposition patterns of their annuli. The modal components of the length-frequency distribution analysis (LFDA) were identified in the winter survey (ELEFAN and Bhattacharya methods), and they did not show significant differences from the length back-calculation of the annuli. Moreover, no significant differences were found between the growth curves calculated by otolith reading (back-calculation and direct otolith reading) and the LFDA. The agreement between the length-frequency results and the otolith age estimation either corroborated or indirectly validated the growth pattern estimated in the otoliths of the red mullet, mainly when the direct validation methods (e.g. mark-recapture, captivity, radiochemical) were difficult to implement, like the case of this species. The comparison of the results of the present work to previous Mediterranean studies showed agreement with the slow growth pattern.

Published
2018
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21. Large-Scale Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Mediterranean Cephalopod Diversity.

Author

Keller S, Bartolino V, Hidalgo M, Bitetto I, Casciaro L, Cuccu D, Esteban A, Garcia C, Garofalo G, Josephides M, Jadaud A, Lefkaditou E, Maiorano P, Manfredi C, Marceta B, Massutí E, Micallef R, Peristeraki P, Relini G, Sartor P, Spedicato MT, Tserpes G, and Quetglas A

Subjects
Animals, Biodiversity, Chlorophyll metabolism, Chlorophyll A, Geography, Mediterranean Region, Models, Theoretical, Species Specificity, Temperature, Time Factors, Cephalopoda physiology
Abstract

Species diversity is widely recognized as an important trait of ecosystems' functioning and resilience. Understanding the causes of diversity patterns and their interaction with the environmental conditions is essential in order to effectively assess and preserve existing diversity. While diversity patterns of most recurrent groups such as fish are commonly studied, other important taxa such as cephalopods have received less attention. In this work we present spatio-temporal trends of cephalopod diversity across the entire Mediterranean Sea during the last 19 years, analysing data from the annual bottom trawl survey MEDITS conducted by 5 different Mediterranean countries using standardized gears and sampling protocols. The influence of local and regional environmental variability in different Mediterranean regions is analysed applying generalized additive models, using species richness and the Shannon Wiener index as diversity descriptors. While the western basin showed a high diversity, our analyses do not support a steady eastward decrease of diversity as proposed in some previous studies. Instead, high Shannon diversity was also found in the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, and high species richness in the eastern Ionian Sea. Overall diversity did not show any consistent trend over the last two decades. Except in the Adriatic Sea, diversity showed a hump-shaped trend with depth in all regions, being highest between 200-400 m depth. Our results indicate that high Chlorophyll a concentrations and warmer temperatures seem to enhance species diversity, and the influence of these parameters is stronger for richness than for Shannon diversity.

Published
2016
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22. The seascape of demersal fish nursery areas in the North Mediterranean Sea, a first step towards the implementation of spatial planning for trawl fisheries.

Author

Colloca F, Garofalo G, Bitetto I, Facchini MT, Grati F, Martiradonna A, Mastrantonio G, Nikolioudakis N, Ordinas F, Scarcella G, Tserpes G, Tugores MP, Valavanis V, Carlucci R, Fiorentino F, Follesa MC, Iglesias M, Knittweis L, Lefkaditou E, Lembo G, Manfredi C, Massutí E, Pace ML, Papadopoulou N, Sartor P, Smith CJ, and Spedicato MT

Subjects
Animals, Biodiversity, Conservation of Natural Resources economics, Ecosystem, Europe, Female, Male, Mediterranean Sea, Population Dynamics, Conservation of Natural Resources legislation & jurisprudence, Fishes physiology, International Cooperation legislation & jurisprudence
Abstract

The identification of nursery grounds and other essential fish habitats of exploited stocks is a key requirement for the development of spatial conservation planning aimed at reducing the adverse impact of fishing on the exploited populations and ecosystems. The reduction in juvenile mortality is particularly relevant in the Mediterranean and is considered as one of the main prerequisites for the future sustainability of trawl fisheries. The distribution of nursery areas of 11 important commercial species of demersal fish and shellfish was analysed in the European Union Mediterranean waters using time series of bottom trawl survey data with the aim of identifying the most persistent recruitment areas. A high interspecific spatial overlap between nursery areas was mainly found along the shelf break of many different sectors of the Northern Mediterranean indicating a high potential for the implementation of conservation measures. Overlap of the nursery grounds with existing spatial fisheries management measures and trawl fisheries restricted areas was also investigated. Spatial analyses revealed considerable variation depending on species and associated habitat/depth preferences with increased protection seen in coastal nurseries and minimal protection seen for deeper nurseries (e.g. Parapenaeus longirostris 6%). This is partly attributed to existing environmental policy instruments (e.g. Habitats Directive and Mediterranean Regulation EC 1967/2006) aiming at minimising impacts on coastal priority habitats such as seagrass, coralligenous and maerl beds. The new knowledge on the distribution and persistence of demersal nurseries provided in this study can support the application of spatial conservation measures, such as the designation of no-take Marine Protected Areas in EU Mediterranean waters and their inclusion in a conservation network. The establishment of no-take zones will be consistent with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries management and with the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to maintain or achieve seafloor integrity and good environmental status.

Published
2015
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