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The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Algeria faces several obstacles, particularly lack of legislation and poor management of local resources. The attempt to establish an MPA at Taza (Gulf of Béjaia, SW Mediterranean) is part of a broader project to set up a network of MPAs in the Mediterranean basin. The MPA of Taza was first proposed by the staff of Taza National Park in 2000, who, with the support of the MedPAN (Network of Managers of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean) South Project (MSP), began promoting this initiative in 2009. This study analyzes the purse seine fishery in this coastal area through the study of landings and yields, in order to characterize one of the most important fishing activities in the Gulf of Béjaia. In addition, the study assesses the impact of non-purse seine vessels which has detrimental effects leading to a de facto open access fishery situation. Landings observation and interviews with purse seine fishers (i.e. vessels with a license to practice purse seining) were conducted from May 2013 to April 2014 to record catches, the characteristics of fishing gear, and the fishing grounds. At the same time, non-purse seine fishing vessels - that is, vessels without a license to practice purse seining - were also monitored. The purse seine fishery of Ziama shows a seasonal pattern in the selection of fishing grounds. The species most frequently landed by purse seine and non-purse seine vessels throughout the study period was the sardine (Sardina pilchardus). Other less frequently caught species such as the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) make a seasonal appearance. This data could be useful to understand fishery dynamics and the behavior of fishers prior to the establishment of an MPA in a given zone. • We evaluate the purse seine fishery in the coastal area of Ziama Bay, Algeria using fishing yields and landings. • The fishery in this area shows a seasonal pattern in the selection of fishing grounds. • We investigate the management implications of the establishment of an MPA in this area. • Our data could be useful to understand fishery dynamics and the behavior of fishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To contribute to the sustainable management of the coastal fishing in the future Marine Protected Area (MPA) of "Taza" (Algeria, SW Mediterranean), the aim of this study was to evaluate the Local Knowledge (LK) of fishers operating near the forthcoming MPA and to understand their conservation-oriented attitudes. Data were collected through interviews and participatory mapping. To this end, 30 face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and September 2017 with fishers, collecting socioeconomic, biological, and ecological information in the fishing harbor of Ziama (Jijel, NE Algeria). The case study focuses on both professional and recreational coastal fisheries. This fishing harbor is located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Béjaia, a Bay located within the area of this future MPA, but outside its boundaries. Based on fishers' LK, cartography of fishing grounds within the MPA perimeter was obtained, while the perceived healthy bottom habitats and polluted areas in the Gulf were mapped by the use of a hard copy map. The results show that fishers present detailed knowledge that is consistent with literature about different target species and their breeding seasons, showing awareness about the reserve effects 'spillover' in enhancing local fisheries. Overall, the fishers noted that the good management of the MPA relies on limiting trawling in coastal areas and avoiding land-based pollution within the Gulf. Some of such management measures are already included in the proposed zoning plan, but lack of enforcement is a perceived constraint. Given the gap observed between the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea in terms of both financial resources and MPA coverage, the use of local knowledge system (e.g., fishers' LK and their perceptions) can enable the implementation of a cost-effective method to encourage the creation of new MPAs in the Southern shore for more ecological representativeness systems of MPAs at a Mediterranean scale. Therefore, this work offers management opportunities that may be used for addressing the lack of scientific knowledge in managing coastal fishing and valuing MPAs in Southern Mediterranean low-income countries characterized by a data-poor context. • Use of fishers' local knowledge is a cost-effective method in data-poor situations. • Fisheries management benefits from fishers' knowledge of marine conservation. • Fishers' knowledge fosters trust and sustainability in community-based management. • Fishers' local knowledge complements scientific data collection methods. • Understanding fishers' perceptions is crucial to marine conservation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine fishermen's Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) relating to Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning and the overlap with fisheries management in the future "Taza" MPA (Algeria, SW Mediterranean). The case study focuses on both commercial and recreational coastal fisheries from the fishing harbour of Ziama (NE Algeria). In this area, coastal fishing is carried out by professional small-scale fishers and purse seiners for commercial fishery and by recreational boat fishers for recreational fishery. While there have been some science-based studies in the characterization of this coastal fishery by using direct observation of landings as a method for estimating catch and fishing effort, fishermen's LEK remains under-utilized in this Social-Ecological System (SES). To address this knowledge gap, perceptions regarding: (1) biological and ecological impacts of coastal fisheries, (2) marine ecosystem health and (3) attitudes towards the proposed MPA regulations were analyzed in order to assess potential social-ecological impacts which can inform more accurately on MPA planning and fisheries management in the future. To this end, thirty face-to-face semi-structured interviews with fishers at Ziama harbour were carried out between June and September 2017. The study found that the future establishment of the "Taza" MPA may affect the fisheries in this area in the short-term, and in particular the jobs and livelihoods of professional fishers by limiting the fishing area through new fishing restrictions. The fishermen's LEK provided some capacity to understand the heterogeneity of the SES in place and may be used as a tool to evaluate the outcome of fishery management actions. The results indicate higher acceptance rates among recreational than professional fishers regarding no-take zones. Professional fishers were proportionately more likely to oppose the new regulations, though 53% of the fishers surveyed were uncertain about the future positive impacts of the MPA. The LEK provides managers with a level of detail about the prediction and prevention of fishermen opposition, and can point out opportunities for improving conservation policy with respect to social acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, recreational fisheries (REC) have a great impact on marine ecosystems and create conflicts with other human coastal activities such as commercial small-scale fisheries (SSF). In the proposed "Taza" marine protected area (MPA) (Algeria, SW Mediterranean), recreational boat fishing is poorly regulated and its catches remain unmonitored. In addition, a significant number of REC fishers sell their catch illegally, an activity we could refer to as IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. This study is a good opportunity to evaluate the potential conflicts between recreational IUU and commercial fisheries and can be extremely valuable in terms of MPA planning and fisheries monitoring by providing baseline data for setting up sound fisheries management and conservation plans. Two fishing harbors are located near the proposed "Taza" MPA: Boudis and Ziama. Illegal REC boats from Ziama harbor were studied via a direct observation method of landings developed by the Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea). A comparison between illegal REC and SSF boats was highlighted in terms of catches and fishing effort. A total of 54 taxa belonging to 24 families were observed in the catches of the 32 recreational active boats in this harbor between May 2013 and April 2014. The proportion of the harvest attributed to illegal REC represented about 50% of the SSF harvest. Illegal REC in the proposed "Taza" MPA is an important socioeconomic activity which is intensively practiced throughout the year. From November to April, the mean catch was almost the same for both fishing categories. Strong competition between recreational and professional fishers for the natural resources was highlighted as 81% of the 54 caught taxa were present in the catches of both fishing categories (i.e. 44 taxa). Moreover, 4 species of high commercial value were caught exclusively by recreational fishers. Finally, the managers of the proposed "Taza" MPA must address and regulate all fishing activities and use the best available information in order to provide important benefits to marine ecosystems, fishers, and the local population. Image 1 • We evaluate the potential conflicts between recreational IUU and commercial fisheries in the proposed "Taza" MPA. • A comparison between recreational and professional boats was highlighted in terms of catches and fishing effort. • Recreational IUU has a significant impact on the socioeconomic and environmental situation in the study area. • Baseline data is crucial for MPA planning and fisheries monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]