The 20th Century evolution of Mediterranean exploited demersal resources under increasing fishing disturbance and environmental change

Mario Sbrana

An assessment of the state of the fisheries of hake, red mullet and Norway lobster was carried out by using trawl survey data from the MEDITS research programme. The assessment was performed by means of the application of a composite model utilising the total mortality rate Z as a direct index of fishing effort. The studied area covered the whole western Italian coast (Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas) and the eastern coasts of Corsica. The area was divided into twelve sub-areas, considered to be of similar ecological characteristics with similar initial productivity but considered to experience different rates of exploitation. Available information on fishing fleets and their geographic distribution was used in creating sub-areas. For each one of these sub-areas, the total mortality rates and a mean catch per unit of effort were estimated. The estimation of Z was performed by analysing the size structure of the cumulated catch in each sub-area and for each year. Catch rates were estima...

We investigate long-term changes in the Mediterranean marine resources driving the trawl fisheries by analysing fishers' perceptions (Traditional Ecological Knowledge, TEK) throughout the Mediterranean Sea during the last 80 years. To this end, we conducted an extended set of interviews with experienced fishers that enabled us to classify species (or taxa) as 'decreasing' or 'increasing' both in terms of abundance, as well as average size in the catch. The aspect that most clearly emerged in all the investigated areas over time was the notable increase of fishing capacity indicators, such as engine power and fishing depth range. Atlantic mackerel, poor cod, scorpionfishes, striped seabream, and John Dory demonstrated a decreasing trend in the fishers' perceived abundance, while Mediterranean parrotfish, common pandora, cuttlefish, blue and red shrimp, and mullets gave indications of an increasing temporal trend. Although, as a rule, trawler captains did not r...

Historic data on biodiversity provide the context for present observations and allow studying long-term changes in marine populations. Here we present multiple datasets on fish and fisheries of the Adriatic Sea covering the last two centuries encompassing from qualitative observations to standardised scientific monitoring. The datasets consist of three groups: (1) early naturalists’ descriptions of fish fauna, including information (e.g., presence, perceived abundance, size) on 255 fish species for the period 1818–1936; (2) historical landings from major Northern Adriatic fish markets (Venice, Trieste, Rijeka) for the period 1902–1968, Italian official landings for the Northern and Central Adriatic (1953–2012) and landings from the Lagoon of Venice (1945–2001); (3) trawl-survey data from seven surveys spanning the period 1948–1991 and including Catch per Unit of Effort data (kgh−1 and/or nh−1) for 956 hauls performed at 301 stations. The integration of these datasets has already dem...

Open call for tenders n° MARE/2008/11 Proposal for Lot 4 (Contract. N° SI2 539097) The 20th Century evolution of Mediterranean exploited demersal resources under increasing fishing disturbance and environmental change EVOMED Joint tenderers Consorzio per il Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina ed Ecologia Applicata “G. Bacci”, Livorno, Italy Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Athens, Greece Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona (Spain) Draft Final Report January 2011 Consorzio UNIMAR, Rome, Italy EVOMED – draft Final Report - Participants CIBM - Consorzio per il Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina ed Ecologia Applicata “G. Bacci”, Livorno, Italy. Paolo Sartor – Coordinator of the project, responsible of WP 1 Mario Sbrana (internal staff, responsible of WP 3) Giacomo Chato Osio (external assistance, responsible of WP 5) Alessandro Ligas (internal staff) Bruno Reale (internal staff) Francesco Colloca (external assistance) Francesco Ferretti (external assistance) Stefano De Ranieri (internal staff) HCMR - Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Athens, Greece Christos Maravelias (internal staff, responsible of WP 2) Stefanos Kavadas (internal staff) Dimitrios Damalas (internal staff) Dimitrios Klaoudatos (internal staff) Costas Papaconstantinou (internal staff) ICM-CSIC - Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona (Spain) Francesc Maynou (internal staff, responsible of WP 4) Joan Cartes (internal staff) Consorzio UNIMAR, Rome, Italy Adriano Mariani (internal staff) Michele Lariccia (internal staff) Andrea Bartoli (external assistance) Simona Vazzoloretto (external assistance) Ilaria Rossetti (external assistance) Marina Sartini (external assistance) Andrea Vannucci (external assistance) Gian Maria Balducci (external assistance) EVOMED – draft Final Report - Index Executive summary Summary for non specialists Acknowledgements 4 9 12 1 – WP1 Project management and coordination 13 1.1 – Introduction 1.2 - General description of the work carried out 1.3 - Difficulties encountered 1.4 - Deviations from the original workplan 2 – WP2 Available historical data 13 13 14 14 16 2.1 – Introduction 2.2 - Deliverable 2.1 – Bibliographic Reference List 2.2.1 – Methods 2.2.2 – Results 2.2.2.1 - Bibliographic reference list 2.2.2.2 - Bibliographic overview - summary 2.2.2.2.1 – Catalonia 2.2.2.2.2 - Western and Central Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea 2.2.2.2.3 - Greek Seas 2.3 - Deliverable 2.3 - Electronic database of collated data 2.3.1 - Methods 2.3.2 – Results 2.3.2.1 - Description of the structure of the database 2.3.2.2 - Description of the content of each file 17 18 18 19 19 39 39 40 43 102 102 103 103 107 3 – WP3 Historical fishermen knowledge 140 3.1 - Introduction 3.2 - Methods 3.3 - Results 3.3.1 - Trawl fishery in the Catalan Sea (GSA6) 3.3.2 - Trawl fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) 3.3.3 - Small scale fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) 3.3.4 - Trawl fishery in the central Adriatic Sea (GSA17) 3.3.5 - Trawl fishery in the Greek Ionian and Aegean sea (GSA 20 and 22) 3.4 - Conclusions 4 – WP4 Evolution of the fleets 4.0 - Introduction 4.1 - Deliverable 4.1. Standardised data series on the evolution of number of vessels and fishing capacity over time 141 141 145 147 166 186 202 217 235 238 238 240 1 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 4.1.1 Evolution of the indicators of effort, capacity and activity over the period 1907-2008 in Catalonia (Spain, GSA6) 4.1.2 - Evolution of the indicators of effort, capacity and activity over the period 1964-2006 in Hellenic waters (GSA 20, 22 and 23) 4.1.3 - Evolution of the indicators of effort, capacity and activity over the period 1926-2008 in Italian waters (GSA 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 and 19) 4.1.4 Comparative aspects and conclusions. 4.2. - Description of gear changes over time 4.2.1. - Mobile demersal fishing gear in Catalonia during the 20th century 4.2.2 - Mobile demersal fishing gear in Italy and former Yugoslavia during the XX century 4.2.3 Comparative analysis and conclusions 4.3. - Deliverable 4.3. Syntheses of the main aspects of fishing regimes and fishing practices in use in the past decades 4.3.1 - Methodological approach and data sets 4.3.2 - Métier identification in Porto Santo Stefano 4.3.3 - Blanes (Catalonia, GSA 6) data series 1956-1965 vs. 1998-2004 4.4 - Historical evolution of areas and fishing grounds 4.4.1 - Changes in fishing depth of trawlers in Catalonia (GSA 6) 4.4.2 - Changes in fishing depth of trawlers in Italy (GSA 9) 4.4.3. Changes in fishing depth of trawlers in Greece (GSA 20 and 2223) 4.4.4 – Discussion 4.5 - Conclusions 4.6 - References 5 - WP5 Changes in resource abundance and community structure 5.1 – Deliverable D.5.1: species lists according to different case studies, showing changes over time in species catch composition, species assemblages and species diversity 5.1.1 - Introduction 5.1.2 – Materials and methods 5.1.3 - Results 5.1.3.1 - GSA 6 5.1.3.2 - GSA 7 5.1.3.3 - GSA 8 5.1.3.4 - GSA17 5.1.3.5 - GSA 20 & 22 5.1.4 – Conclusions 5.2 - Deliverable D.5.2 – Standardised data series on commercial and survey CPUE of main target species and Elasmobranchs. 5.2.1 LPUE data 5.2.1.1 - Blanes (GSA6) 1956-2004 5.2.1.2 - GSA9 Porto Santo Stefano 5.2.1.3 - Greek landings (GSA 20, 22 & 23) 5.2.2 - CPUE data from experimental trawl surveys 5.2.2.1 - GSA6 5.2.2.2 - GSA 9 5.2.2.3 - GSA 17 5.2.2.4 – GSA 20 & 22 5.3. - Deliverable D.5.3 – Trend analysis for the main commercial 240 248 253 267 269 269 281 301 303 303 304 314 324 324 325 326 328 333 336 338 338 338 341 341 345 352 357 362 370 371 371 371 374 376 378 378 378 379 382 385 2 EVOMED – draft Final Report - species and some elasmobranches; Deliverable D.5.4 – Evaluation of the influence of fishing effort and environmental drivers on species abundance. 5.3.1 - Commercial LPUE data. 5.3.1.1 - Blanes (GSA 6) and Porto Santo Stefano (GSA9) LPUE analyses. 5.3.1.2 - GREEK LPUE DATA (GSA 20, 22 & 23) 5.3.2 - CPUE DATA FROM EXPERIMENTAL TRAWL SURVEYS 5.3.2.1 - GSA 6 5.3.2.2 GSA 9 5.3.2.3 - GSA 17 5.3.2.4 - GSA 20, 22 & 23 5.4. - Deliverable 5.5 - Comparison across statistical models to identify the methods that suit better Mediterranean historical data 5.5 - References 6 – Conclusions Annexes 386 388 411 421 421 424 426 435 470 474 478 481 3 EVOMED – draft Final Report - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The EVOMED Contract (“The 20th Century evolution of Mediterranean exploited demersal resources under increasing fishing disturbance”) has been funded in the context of the EU DGMARE Call for tenders n° MARE/2008/11 (Lot 4). It is a joint tender, with the following participants: Consorzio per il Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina ed Ecologia Applicata (CIBM) of Livorno, Italy; Institut de Ciences del Mar (ICM-CMIMA-CSIC), of Barcelona, Spain; Hellenic Centre of Marine Research (HCMR) of Athens, Greece; the Consortium UNIMAR of Rome, Italy. CIBM is the coordinating institution. The duration of the contract has been one year, from August 7th, 2009 to August 7th 2010. The Context. The background info that dictated the EVOMED study was given in the EC Call for tender: “Exploited fish and shellfish communities and populations in the Mediterranean have been constantly changing over times due both to increasing disturbances and stresses from fisheries and other anthropogenic sources like pollution, nutrients enrichments and habitats deteriorations. Moreover, changes of the exploited populations have been occurring in parallel to possible more general changes of the marine biota and marine environment as a consequence of global warming and introduction of invasive alien species”. The idea behind the EVOMED project was that as fisheries management deals with evolving stocks and ecosystems and despite the lack of long-time series of scientific quantitative data, the analysis of historical, empirical and anecdotal evidences could have helped to launch some enlightening statements about recent past times both of Mediterranean fisheries and marine exploited populations and ecosystems. As a matter of fact, considerable material has been produced in Mediterranean since the late 19th century in the field of fishery sciences and marine ecology, but a large part of this effort has been only partially exploited. The Objectives. The main objective of EVOMED has been to provide information on the evolution, over the past 100 years, of the Mediterranean demersal fisheries and the marine exploited populations. Other specific objectives have been the following: - To identify, collect and organize the historical information in order to demonstrate all its potential. - To collect information from old fishermen on fishing activity performed in the past. - To standardize the different data, to validate a common methodology of analysis. - To characterize the evolution over time of the trawl fleets, their consistence and characteristics. - To estimate trends of abundance indices, such as standardized CPUEs, over time for important commercial and non commercial species. - To describe the temporal evolution of communities and species assemblages. The Workplan. Most of the activities of EVOMED were carried out according to the following case studies: 1) Catalan Sea; 2) Tyrrhenian Sea; 3) Adriatic Sea; 4) Ionian and Aegean Sea; 5) Gulf of Lions. The project has been structured into five inter-correlated workpackages: WP1 - Project management and coordination. Objective: To co-ordinate and manage all the technical and contractual aspects of the project, including ethical, financial and administrative parts. WP 2 – Available historical information. Objective: To do a critically reviewed inventory of the available historical information of Mediterranean demersal fisheries. 4 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Main activities: Bibliographic research; assessment of availability of information; revision and classification of the literature (metadata database); production of a standardize database. WP3 – Historical fishermen knowledge. Objective: to extract information from the historic fishermen knowledge. Main activities: Data collection methodology; fishermen interviews and tally books consultation; data entry in standard formats; revision and analysis of collected information. WP4 – Evolution of the fleets. Objective: to describe the evolution of the fleets in the last century in terms of fishing capacity, fishing effort, fishing gears, fishing grounds and fishing practices. Main activities: descriptive analyses; data standardisation; quantitative analyses. WP5 – Changes in resource abundance and community structure. Objective: to document changes in species composition and assemblages over time; to estimate changes in commercial yields and species abundance; to explore the influence of possible explaining factors, as fishing effort. Main activities: faunistic analyses; data standardisation and inter-calibration; quantitative and trend analyses. Main results achieved. WP 2 – Available historical information A critically reviewed inventory of the available historical (from the early 20th century) information concerning Mediterranean demersal fisheries, in terms of characteristics of fleets, fishing effort, catches, landings and some relevant environmental indicators was produced. An extensive bibliographic research was carried out, following different approaches. The bibliographic search started in the libraries of the Institutions belonging to this project, and it has been extended to many other sources, like research Institutions and Universities, Statistics institutes, Governmental Institutions, fishermen associations and other minor sources. Relevant but heterogeneous material has been collected: official data, reports, data from experimental trawl surveys, scientific papers, grey literature, etc. A total of 460 bibliographic references have been classified and critically reviewed in a metadata database (Deliverable D.2.1 Bibliographic reference list; D.2.2 – Metadata database of the collected literature and papers in electronic format): each item was registered according to key words or predefined fields to identify the more relevant aspects of its content. The most important 90 papers were digitalised in Acrobat pdf format files. An overview on the characteristics and content of the collected literature has been produced. A standardised database was built to store the collected data, according to the selected case studies (D.2.3 – Electronic database of the collated data). The majority of the material collected was in paper format; digitalizing and entering it in the database was a highly time consuming activity, which requested more time than that expected at the beginning of the project. The database was built following a common codification system, in agree with the international and DCF (EU Data Collection of Fishery) coding systems. Data were stored into the following five modules: FLEETDB (15127 records): with data on number of vessels, and fishing capacity and fishing activity parameters over time, by different spatial levels of aggregation. LANDINGDB (13430 records): with data on annual landings (total landing or by species) over time, by different spatial levels of aggregation. COMMERCIALCPUEDB (4166 records): with data of landings (total landing or by species) per unit of effort (fishing day of fishing hour) over time, by different spatial levels of aggregation. TRAWLSURVEYCPUEDB (8245 records): with data on annual density and biomass indices by species for the EU funded MEDITS trawl survey (period 1994-2008) and for many experimental trawl surveys performed in different areas of the Mediterranean from 1948 to 1987, according to different levels of spatial aggregation. 5 EVOMED – draft Final Report - ENVIRONMENTALDB (44598): time series of data of environmental parameters, like North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO), Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WEMO), sea surface temperature (SST), wind, concentration of chlorophyll a, for all the GSAs of the Mediterranean Sea. WP3 – Historical fishermen knowledge. Interviews with fishermen were carried out following a standardised protocol, evaluated also by the social scientist involved in this project. The approach consisted to carry out interviews on a significant sample of fishermen using a pre-defined questionnaire (D.3.1 – Questionnaires and protocols for data collection from fishermen). The questionnaire concerned information about vessels, fishing gears, fishing practices and fishing grounds, estimation of catches and discards. A specific section dedicated to species of particular interest, such as marine mammals and Elasmobranchs was included; the information was collected for three main time periods: 1940’s - 1960’s, 1960’s - 1980’s, and 1980’s - present. Data gathered from the interviews have been stored in a common database (D. 3.2 – Structure of the electronic database; D.3.4 – Information stored in the electronic database). Overall, 107 interviews (D.3.3 – Questionnaires filled up) with “old” fishermen (older active and retired fishermen) were carried out in 20 ports of Spain, Italy and Greece. The majority of them concern trawl fisheries, only a few were collected for small scale fisheries. Summary reports (Deliverable 3.5) have been produced for the following case studies: 1) Trawl fishery in the Catalan Sea (GSA6) 2) Trawl fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) 3) Small scale fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) 4) Trawl fishery in the central Adriatic Sea (GSA17) 5) Trawl fishery in the Greek Ionian and Aegean Seas (GSA 20 and 22) In general, fishermen approached for the interviews were interested and available to provide information of their past activity; only in a few cases they were sceptic against the interviewers. The more clear aspect resulting from the interviews was the notable increase over time reported for the indicators of fishing capacity. Engine power was the parameter showing the highest temporal increase: the present values are, on average, five to eightfold those of the earlier periods. Another evident aspect was the reduction observed in the catches over time of some faunistic groups, principally Elasmobranchs, and species like Mustelus spp., Squalus spp. and Squatina spp. Another indicator of changes in the marine environment was the decrease, noticed by all the fishermen interviewed, of the benthic species in the catch. In the past high abundances of sponges, gastropods, tunicates, bivalves were quite usual; their progressive reduction, however, can be due also to the progressive increase of the gear selectivity. Also for cetaceans, seals and sea turtles, a decrease, even though in lesser extent, of incidental catches and sightings was noticed. As concerns the quantitative estimates of the catches of the past, it appears that fishermen perception of change in total catch over the different time periods is limited. Trawler captains seem to not perceive dramatic changes in the total catches throughout the years. This could be due to several factors, as the different discard rate throughout the years (in the past practically there was no discard) and the different gear selectivity. Probably the most important factor that embedded such perception is the confounding of the evolution in fishing power of the trawl vessels. In a broad sense fishermen observe a non-standardized catches per unit of effort overtime that is biased and the result is no perception in the change in abundance. Unfortunately, in spite of the great effort dedicated, the collection of tally books failed, it was not possible to collect a significant number of these documents. Although in few cases the unwillingness of fisherman to share some private documents might have played a role, in general it seems that keeping catch records has not been a regular activity of Mediterranean trawl fishermen. 6 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The only two collected tally books revealed useful, but with some major limitations: they reported only values of total biomass landed, without any species detail and without clear specifications on the length of the fishing trips. WP4 – Evolution of the fleets The critical review of the material collected in WP2, supported by the information gathered in WP3, allowed a detailed description of the trawl fleet historical evolution in the selected case studies. Changes over time in number of vessels and in their main characteristics, like overall length, engine power and tonnage were analysed according to each investigated GSA. (D. 4.1- Standardised data series on the evolution of number of vessels and fishing capacity over time). In agreement with the outcomes of WP3, all the Mediterranean trawl fleets investigated showed a similar pattern, with a continuous increase of fishing capacity and fishing power over time. Schemes of nets, pictures and drawings were provided. A description of the main aspects of fishing practices adopted in the past has been provided as well (D.4.2 – Summary tables with some peculiar technical aspects of vessels and gears used over time). Moreover, the main aspects of the temporal evolution of fishing areas and fishing regimes were investigated, paying particular attention to changes over time in metiers and fishing practices (D.4.3 – Syntheses of the main aspects of fishing regimes and fishing practices in use in the past decades; D. 4.4 – Maps of the historical evolution of areas/fishing grounds). WP5 – Changes in resource abundance and community structure Data from experimental trawl surveys carried out over time in the case study areas were used to investigate on the specie composition and species assemblages temporal evolution. Special attention has been given to Elasmobranchs, due to the important ecological role played by this taxon and to the high sensitivity and low resilience of many species belonging to this group (D.5.1 – Species lists according to different case studies, showing changes over time in species catch composition, species assemblages and species diversity). Experimental trawl surveys performed in different Mediterranean areas since 1940’s to present were analysed and the EU funded international trawl survey MEDITS performed from 1994 to present. Even though mainly qualitative, these analyses agreed to show that in the past some taxa, like Elasmobranches, were richer in species and more abundant. For each survey a list of all the species caught with, for each species, the estimation of frequency of occurrence and, when possible, of the biomass and density indices was provided. According to the selected case studies, landing and effort data, as well as trawl survey data, have been standardized and inter-calibrated in order to produce time series of standardized LPUE and CPUE.(D.5.2 – Standardised data series on commercial and survey CPUE of main target species and Elasmobranchs) An important part of the standardization was to produce the correct estimates of the swept area of the gears used in the past. Different methodologies (Generalised Linear Models, Generalised Additive Models, Mixed Model Effects, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) were utilised to investigate the long term evolution of the resource abundance using data of LPUE and CPUE (D.5.3 – Trend analysis for main commercial species and some Elasmobranchs). In this context, it has been particularly interesting the comparison of data series of trawl surveys performed in the period 1940’s-1980’s with those realized in the last twenty years (MEDITS). Particular attention was dedicated to standardize the LPUE or CPUE series taking into account changes in catchability or fishing power (also known as ‘technological creep’) factors. It is the first time that a similar exercise is conducted on Mediterranean fishery data. To assume fishing power constant is not realistic, especially if wide time series are considered. The results for different areas, 7 EVOMED – draft Final Report - even though still preliminary, agreed to show that an increase of about 2% per year is sufficient to change the sign of trends. In some areas the analyses were performed taking into account also some environmental variables, as sea surface temperature, NAO and wind. (D. 5.4- Evaluation of the influence of fishing effort and environmental drivers on species abundance). Finally, a specific deliverable was dedicated to describe the main characteristics and to compare the possible models for the analyses of the Mediterranean historical data (D.5.5 - Comparison across statistical models to identify the methods that suit better Mediterranean historical data). 8 EVOMED – draft Final Report - SUMMARY FOR NON SPECIALISTS EVOMED (“The 20th Century evolution of Mediterranean exploited demersal resources under increasing fishing disturbance”) is a Contract funded by the EU DGMARE Call for tenders n° MARE/2008/11 (Lot 4). The duration has been one year, from August 7th, 2009 to August 7th 2010. It is a joint tender, with the following participants: CIBM of Livorno (coordinator), Italy; ICMCSIC, of Barcelona, Spain; HCMR of Athens, Greece; UNIMAR, Rome, Italy. The context. The Mediterranean natural resources have been exploited since ancient times. From the XVII century, the introduction of many technological innovations has produced a progressive increase of fishing capacity, technology and catchability. Recent stock assessments indicate that the majority of Mediterranean demersal species is at present over or fully exploited; there are also evidences of changes in community structure over time, with decrease of less resilient taxa, like Elasmobranchs, and increase of small sized and fast growing species. This picture is based on relatively recent information, while the knowledge on the historical evolution of the exploited populations in the last century is still scarce and limited to restricted areas. Therefore, there is a need to reconstruct the trends of the demersal communities and to establish an ecological baseline for the past 100 years. To do this, a strong effort is required to gather and analyze all the sparse but highly valuable information produced before 1980’s in Mediterranean, and still only partially exploited. Another important aspect is to take into account the historical memory of the old fishermen; they can provide valuable information on decades spent at sea fishing. Objectives and structure of the project. The main objective of EVOMED has been to provide information on the evolution, over the past 100 years, of the Mediterranean demersal fisheries and the marine exploited populations. Other specific objectives are: - To collect and organize the historical information. - To collect information from old fishermen on fishing activity performed in the past. - To standardize the different data. - To characterize the evolution over time of the trawl fleets, their consistence and characteristics. - To estimate trends of abundance over time for important commercial and non commercial species. - To describe the temporal evolution of communities and species assemblages. EVOMED was developed according to case studies: 1) Catalan Sea; 2) Tyrrhenian Sea; 3) Adriatic Sea; 4) Ionian and Aegean Sea; 5) Gulf of Lions. It has been organised in five workpackages: WP1 - Project management and coordination. WP 2 – Available historical information. Objective: To do a critically reviewed inventory of the available historical information of Mediterranean demersal fisheries. WP3 – Historical fishermen knowledge. Objective: to extract information from the historic fishermen knowledge. WP4 – Evolution of the fleets. Objective: to describe the evolution of the fleets in the last century in terms of fishing capacity, fishing effort, fishing gears, fishing grounds and fishing practices. WP5 – Changes in resource abundance and community structure. Objective: to document changes in species composition and assemblages over time; to estimate changes in commercial yields and species abundance; to explore the influence of possible explaining factors, as fishing effort. 9 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Main results achieved. WP 2 – Available historical information An extensive bibliographic research was carried out, following different approaches. Relevant material has been collected: official data, reports, data from experimental trawl surveys, scientific papers, grey literature, etc. A total of 460 bibliographic references were classified and critically reviewed in a metadata database. The most relevant papers (about one hundred) were digitalised in Acrobat pdf format. An overview on the characteristics and content of the collected literature has been produced. An electronic standardised database was built to store the collected data, according to these different modules: FLEETDB: data on number of vessels, fishing capacity and fishing activity over time. LANDINGDB: temporal data series on annual landings (total landing or by species). COMMERCIALCPUEDB: data on landings (total landing or by species) per unit of effort (fishing day of fishing hour) over time. TRAWLSURVEYCPUEDB: data on annual density and biomass indices by species for the EU funded MEDITS trawl survey (1994-2008) and for many experimental trawl surveys performed in different areas of the Mediterranean from 1948 to 1987. ENVIRONMENTALDB: time series of data of environmental parameters (North Atlantic Oscillation, Western Mediterranean Oscillation, temperature, wind, chlorophyll). WP3 – Historical fishermen knowledge. Overall, 107 interviews with old active and retired fishermen were carried out in 20 ports of Spain, Italy and Greece. The majority of them concern trawl fisheries, only a few were collected for small scale fisheries mainly using set nets. The questionnaire used for the interviews was evaluated also by a social Scientist involved in the project. The questions mainly concerned fishing practices and fishing grounds, characteristics of vessels and gears, target species, catches and discards, as well as species of particular interest (marine mammals and elasmobranches). The questionnaire was planned to collect information for three main time periods: 1940’s - 1960’s, 1960’s - 1980’s, and 1980’s - present. The clearest aspect emerging from the interview is the notable increase over time reported for of all the indicators of fishing capacity, especially engine power. Another evident aspect was the reduction observed in the catches over time of some faunistic groups, principally Elasmobranches and of the benthic species in general. The questions about the quantitative estimation of the catch has been the more difficult to obtain realistic estimates. The perception about the amount of the catch over time could be biased by several factors, as the different discard rates throughout the years and the different gear selectivity. Only two logbooks have been found, in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea for the period 1964-1969. They revealed useful, but with some major limitations: it is reported only the total biomass landed, without species detail and without clear specifications on the length of the fishing trips. The absence of any sort of fishing logbooks/tallybooks is remarkable. While in few cases the unwillingness of fisherman to share some private documents might have played a role, in general it seems that keeping catch records has not been a regular activity of Mediterranean trawl fishermen. WP4 – Evolution of the fleets The critical review of the material collected in WP2, supported by the information gathered with WP3, produced a description of the key aspects of the historical evolution of the trawl fleets and trawl fisheries for the selected case studies. It was investigated the evolution over time of the main indicators of fishing capacity (engine power, tonnage, overall length). The results, coming from different areas and different data sources, 10 EVOMED – draft Final Report - substantially agree in showing a progressive increase of fishing capacity (mainly engine power) until the end of 1980’s followed by a stable or a decreasing trend. The most important temporal changes in technical characteristics of the trawl gears and the vessels (e.g. material of constructions, net shape and measurements, mesh sizes, door shape and material, etc.), as well as in technological aspects, occurred in the last century have been described. Schemes, drawings and pictures of trawl nets used in different periods have been provided, as well as description of different fishing practices over time. The temporal evolution of the fishing grounds exploited by different Mediterranean fleets and the variation in fishing metiers over time was investigated as well. WP5 – Changes in resource abundance and community structure All the collected data from experimental trawl surveys performed before the 1990’s and those of UE MEDITS international trawl survey (1994-2008) were used to compile faunistic lists by year/area, with indication, at species level of frequency of occurrence and abundance/biomass indices, according to two wide depth strata. Species assemblages evolution over time has been investigated as well. Even though mainly qualitative, these analyses agreed to show that in the past some taxa, like Elasmobranchs, were richer in species and more abundant. According to the selected case studies, landing and effort data, as well as trawl survey data, were standardized and inter-calibrated in order to produce time series of standardized LPUE and CPUE. An important part of the standardization was to produce estimates of the swept area for the survey gears used in the past. Different methodologies were utilised to investigate the long term evolution of the resource abundance using data of LPUE and CPUE. In this context, it has been particularly interesting the comparison of data series of trawl surveys performed in the period 1940’s-1980’s with those realized in the last twenty years (MEDITS). Particular attention was dedicated to perform analysis trying to standardize the LPUE or CPUE series taking into account changes in catchability or fishing power (also known as ‘technological creep’) factors. As a matter of fact, the assumption of constant fishing power is not realistic, especially if wide time series are considered. The results for different areas, even though still preliminary, agreed to show that an increase of about 2% per year is sufficient to change the sign of trends. In some areas the analyses were performed taking into account also some environmental variables, as sea surface temperature, NAO and wind. 11 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Acknowledgements We are particularly grateful to all the fishermen interviewed from the different Mediterranean places for their availability in providing detailed information on their past fishing activities. In some cases their collaboration exceeded what requested by the questionnaires: many histories and counts contained useful information to integrate the data collected in this project with other approaches. We also thank the fishermen associations and the personnel of the fishing Auctions, Maritime Offices, Port Captain’s offices and Port Authorities for their collaboration an availability. We whish to thank in particular the IFREMER Laboratory of Sète and especially Dr Henry Farrugio and Dr Gildas Le Corre for their opening in making available the historical fishery information collected by their Institute in the past. Without this contribution, it would have been impossible to develop some aspects of the EVOMED project. Finally, a particular acknowledgement is for of the personnel of the four Joint Tenderers for the qualified support in all the activities of this Project. 12 EVOMED – draft Final Report - CHAPTER 1 WP1 - Project management and coordination 1.1 - Introduction EVOMED started on August 7th 2009, with the signature of the contract. After a little postponement of the deadline, the date to deliver the draft Final Report was fixed on September 3rd 2010. This document is the Final Report of this contract and it outlines the activities carried out during all the phases of the project, as well as the methodology applied, the difficulties encountered, and the results obtained. This report has been structured according to the five Workpackages of the project. According to the working plan, all the deliverables have been finished in the due time and they are included in this report. However, due to the size of these documents, the following deliverables have been included in a CD-ROM annexed to the present report: D.2.2 - Metadata database of collected literature and papers in electronic format. D.2.3 - Electronic database of collated data. D.3.4 - Electronic database of data collected from the interviews. D.5.1 - Species lists according to different case studies from trawl survey data (period 1949-2009). 1.2. - General description of the work carried out This section chronologically summarizes the main aspects of the work carried out throughout all the duration of the Contract. On August 7th 2009, the EVOMED Contract was signed. Immediately after this date, the activities of the project started, in particular those of WP2, with the bibliographic search. On September 21st 2009, the kick off meeting was held in Brussels (the minutes of the meeting are reported in Annex 1.1). The outcomes of the meeting (mainly suggestions to the working plan) were immediately communicated to all the partners. From September 30th to October 2nd 2009, the first coordination meeting was held in Livorno at CIBM Institute: the report of the meeting is reported in Annex 1.2. The meeting was focused to define the methodological aspects mainly of WP2 and WP3. Immediately after the Livorno meeting, the activities of WP3 started extensively. From October 5th to October 7th 2009, Paolo Sartor and Chato Osio visited the Ifremer Sète Laboratory, in order to collect historical fishery information for the whole Mediterranean. The report of the meeting is provided in the Annex 1.3. From October 2009 to the end of January 2010 the activities of the project were concentrated to perform the tasks of WP2 and WP3. Field activities, to collect bibliographic material and, in particular, to interview fishermen required intense efforts; the same was for the digitalisation of the material collected and the organisation of the data in the common databases. The month of January 2010 was also dedicated to a first analysis of the collected data and to the redaction of the Interim Report. At the same time in this month the activities of WP4 and WP5 started, according to the working plan of the project. The interim report was delivered to Brussels at beginning of February 2010. After receiving the reviewer comments, the revised version of the Interim report was sent to Brussels at middle of April 2010. 13 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Due to the amount of work required to collect and digitalise the bibliographic material and the data gathered and to increase the number of interviews with fishermen, it has been necessary to continue the activities of WP2 and WP3 until the end of April 2010. From March 1st to March 5th 2010, the second coordination meeting was held in Barcelona at ICMCSIC Institute: the report of the meeting is provided in the Annex 1.4. The meeting was mainly focused to discuss on the common methodology to apply for the analyses of WP4 and WP5 and to finalize many aspects of WP2 and WP3, in particular to commonly discuss on the results obtained with the fishermen interviews. The period April-July 2010 was practically entirely dedicated to perform the analyses of WP4 and WP5 and to discuss the resulting outcomes. From June 14th to June 18th 2010 the third coordination meeting was held in Rhodes, at the HCMR Institute. The report of the meeting is provided in Annex 1.5. The meeting was particularly focused to common working sessions to refine and discuss the analyses of WP4 and WP5 and to do the status of the art of the activities and to plan the structure of the final report. The month of August 2010 has exclusively been dedicated to the redaction of this Draft Final Report. In addition to the three common coordination meetings, an intense exchange of information, mainly by e-mail, among researchers of all the partners involved in the project, was active throughout all the phases of the project and in particular during the last three months, for the realization of the common analyses and for the redaction of this Draft Final Report. 1.3 - Difficulties encountered No particular work difficulties or problems in the working collaboration among the partners were encountered during the duration of the project. As explained in more detail in the two following Chapters, one important aspect has been that many activities of this Contract, in particular those of WP2 and WP3, required considerable efforts, in terms of man months. The extensive bibliographic search, the collation of bibliographic references, the digitalisation of the documents, and the manual entry of thousand of data in the database were particularly time consuming activities. The same was for the work needed to contact the fishermen for the interviews, to realize the interviews in different places (on average each interview lasted about one hour), to check the information collected and to transfer it into the database. However, the effort dedicated to these tasks permitted to collect considerable amount of information and, in order to exploit as a maximum the gathered data, it was decided to dedicate also a part of the second phase of the project to improve WP2 and WP3. No particular difficulties were encountered during the interviews with fishermen, except some scepticism and unwillingness of the fishermen. The official DCR and DCF MEDITS data have been requested to the national focal points to be used for the purposes of EVOMED, according to the Article 18 of the EC regulation 199/2008. The authorizations from the Spanish, Greek, French and Italian focal points arrived from March to April 2010. This produced a certain delay in the timetable as concerns the check and the analysis of these data. 1.4 – Deviations from the original workplan It was decided to postpone the end of the activities of WP2 and WP3 to the end of the project. As a consequence, the version of some deliverables presented in the Interim Report (in particular D. 2.3 - 14 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Electronic database of collated data) was preliminary and it has been integrated in the following six months of the project. During the first coordination meeting, it was decided to postpone the second coordination meeting from the end of the month 6 to the end of month 7. It was agreed by all the partners that it would be more relevant to organize a workshop to perform common analyses of WP4 and WP5, than to dedicate a meeting to prepare the interim report. It has been decided to pool together the content of the Deliverables 4.1 and 4.5 and the Deliverables 5.3 and 5.4 in order to avoid repetitions, because they had several similar methodological aspects, Due to changes in the procedure of contracting personnel in the “Agencia Estatal CSIC”, to which the ICM belongs, it has not been possible, in the first six month of the project to contract an assistant full time to help the principal researcher in bibliographic search due for WP2. This aspect affected the work to carry out for this WP. In the following six months of the project these difficulties were overcome, with the contribution of the other partners involved in the Project. 15 EVOMED – draft Final Report - CHAPTER 2 WP2 – Available historical data 16 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 2.1 - Introduction The main objective of this workpackage is to produce a critically reviewed inventory of the available historical (from the early 20th century) information concerning Mediterranean demersal fisheries, in terms of characteristics of fleets, fishing effort, catches, landings and some relevant environmental indicators. According to the structure of the project, all the collected references have been listed in a Word file (Deliverable 2.1 - Bibliographic reference list). The same references have been stored in a Jabref file (Deliverable 2.2 - Metadata database of collected literature and papers in electronic format). For the more relvant references several additional fields have been added in order to give more detailed information on their contents, following the targets of the EVOMED project. Many of the collected references contain interesting information on fleets, fishing effort, fishing practices, as well as on landings, catches and catch composition coming from very heterogeneous sources. During the the first six months of the project particular efforts were dedicated to collect, organize and also digitalize most of these data found in paper format and to store them in a standardised database (Deliverable 2.3 - Electronic database of collated data). Due to the huge quantity of references found, it has been decided to dedicate also a part of the second phase of the project to digitalize and to enter further data in the database, in order to provide as much information as possible. 17 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 2.2 - Deliverable 2.1 – Bibliographic Reference List 2.2.1 – Methods According to the objectives of this WP, an extensive bibliographic research was carried out, following different approaches, in order to collect all the useful information. A considerable quantity of material was collected with the majority of it being in paper format. Digitalizing this information has been an extremely time consuming activity; it was decided to exploit as much as possible of this precious information and to extend also the second phase of the project to the data entering activity. Many sources of information from different Mediterranean areas have been consulted. The bibliographic search started in the libraries of the Institutions belonging to this project, then it has been extended to many other sources, mainly research Institutions and Universities (e.g. Naples Anthon Dorn, Villefranche’s CNRS, Monaco Aquarium, IFREMER of Sete, etc.), official Statistics institutes and Ministries and reports of markets, fishermen associations and other minor sources. In the collection of information, particular attention has been devoted to the case studies selected for this project, in order to gather the widest quantity of data possible. A huge quantity of material for this study has been collected: official data, reports, scientific papers, theses, data on surveys, grey literature, etc.; pratically all the references have been found in paper. First of all, a list of the refences in Word format has been produced (Deliverable 2.1 - Bibliographic reference list). A total of 462 references have been collected. The same references have been entered in a JabRef file (Deliverable 2.2 - Metadata database of collected literature and papers in electronic format), specifically built for the pourposes of EVOMED. JabRef is a reference management software that uses BibTeX as its native format. JabRef provides an easy-to-use interface for editing BibTeX files, for importing data from online scientific databases, and for managing and searching BibTeX files. All the collected material has been critically reviewed and classified according the usual fields used to manage bibliographic material. The more relevant refenrences have been registered according to predefined fields to identify the main aspects of their content. These fields have been grouped in a main “EVOMED” field in the JabRef file and they are: Starting year Ending year GSA Gear Ownership Accessibility Kind of information A general owerview on the characteristics of the literature collected has been produced. Finally, the 90 more relevant references have been digitalized in Acrobat pdf format and they are delivered in the cd-rom, annexed to this Report. 18 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 2.2.2 – Results 2.2.2.1 – Bibliographic reference list Academy, H. H. I. A. (1949) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 1ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗΣ ΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΑ Τ Ν ΠΕΤΡΙ Ν ΚΑΙ ΒΟΡΕΙ Σ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΜΗΣ. Academy, H. H. I. A. (1950) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 2 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν Υ ΡΑΣ – ΑΓ. ΓΕ ΡΓΙΟΥ. Academy, H. H. I. A. (1950) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 3 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν ΑΜΟΡΓΟΥ - ΕΝΟΥΣΗΣ. Academy, H. H. I. A. (1950) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 5 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν ΑΝ ΡΟΥ – ΓΙΟΥΡ Ν – ΚΕΑΣ (ΤΖΙΑΣ). Academy, H. H. I. A. (1950) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 7 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΜΕΤΑΞΥ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν ΣΚΥΡΟΥ – ΚΥΘΝΟΥ - ΣΕΡΙΦΟΥ. Academy, H. H. I. A. (1950) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 8 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν ΚΕΑΣ – ΜΑΚΡΟΝΗΣΟΥ – ΑΓ. 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Logos Split. 38 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 2.2.2.2 - Bibliographic overview - summary This text summarises the general contents of the Bibliographic reference list provided by EVOMED. As concerns Greece, a wider bibliographiv overview was performed, containing an exhaustive summary of the literature produced over time, with particular attention to the evolution of fisheries and resources, as well as on changes of exploited population abundance and fish communities. 2.2.2.2.1 - Catalonia An exhaustive compilation of data sources on fish production and fleet structure has been carried out focusing on the demersal fisheries of the chosen geographical area of the Spanish Mediterranean: Catalonia. The literature search was carried out in the Library of the “Institut de Ciències del Mar” (ICM), as well as in personal documents of staff of the ICM. Most of the data obtained for the period 1907-1986 are based on the official annual statistics produced in the form of written reports by the Secretaría General de Pesca Marítima (General Secretariat for Marine Fisheries, of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries). The geographical coverage, quality and detail of these reports, as well as their names, have varied over time. The names of the reports are reported in Tab. 2.2.2.1. Tab. 2.2.2.1 – Official statistics on fisheries produced in Spain in the period 1907-1986. Name of the report Anuario de pesca y estadístico Anuario de pesca y estadístico de la Marina Mercante y de la pesca Anuario Estadístico de España La pesca marítima en España Boletín de Pescas Anuario Estadístico de España Time period covered 1907 Estadística de Pesca 1940-1971 Anuario de Pesca Marítima 1973-1984 1908-1914 1915; 1917-1919 1920 1929 1932-1934 In 2004, Garrido and Alegret (2004) made a comprehensive effort of collating all the statistical data relating to marine fisheries production in Catalonia in the framework of the project HMAP (History of Marine Animal Populations): www.hull.ac.uk/hmap. This data set covers the years 1831, 1868, 1892, 1907-1918, 1920, 1929, 1932-1934, 19401, 1941 and 1943-1984 (inclusive). The data set is publicly available through HMAP in MS Access database format. However, this data set contains numerous errors and ICM had to put some effort in cross-checking the data against published sources and incorporate the valid records in the FLEET and LANDINGS databases of this project. 1 The Spanish Civil War lasted from 1936 to 1939 and therefore there is no data available for this 4-year period, but it can be considered as a period with no significant commercial fishing, similar to World War II elsewhere in Europe. 39 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Most of the original fisheries production reports before 1970 are not available any more in the library of the ICM, but these data had been compiled by other authors in previous works (e.g. Bas et al. 1955, Martín 1991). ICM has incorporated the data in the database (corresponding to WP2 deliverable D2.3). In 1986 Spain entered the European Union and the fisheries production reports stopped being issued. From that year, the fisheries departments of the different Autonomous Governments are in charge of producing the fish production data. For Catalonia, fisheries production data of reasonably good quality is available from 1988 to the present. Only information for the trawl fishery of two ports (Blanes and Barcelona) has been uploaded so far. In addition to these primary data sources, the research on data sources has been complemented by revising the bibliographic collection of the Library of the ICM. This research has allowed to incorporate other information from GFCM or FAO sources, scientific reports or project reports (e.g. Lleó 1923, Lleonart 1974, Lleonart [coord.] 1990, Bas et al. 2003). 2.2.2.2.2 – Western and Central Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea The majority of the references collected concerns scientific papers or grey literature reporting descriptive information on the fauna present in certain areas or describing aspects of the existing fisheries in the past. This material, even though extremely heterogeneous as concerns its content, has been particularly important for the objectives of this project. Many of these references contain detailed lists of species and information on species distribution, according to specific geographical areas or fishing grounds: e.g. Delaroche (1809), Barcelo (1868), Marion (1883), Ninni (1912; 1913), Valle (1913), Musatti (1920), Chiappi (1922), Lozano (1926), Vatova (1928), Issel (1931), Razzauti (1935), Trapani (1938), Dieuzeide (1940; 1950; 1960), Vatova and D’Ancona (1948), Dieuzeide et al. (1953; 1958), Peres and Picard (1956), Matta (1958), Zupanovic et al. (1959), Maurin (1961; 1968), Bas (1963), Raimbault (1963), Peres (1964), Lubet and Azouz (1969), Quignard and Capape (1971), Geistdoerfer and Rannou (1972), Gamulin-Brida (1974), Capape (1977), Jardas (1979), Allue (1985), Zupanovic and Jardas (1989), while many other references report information on findings of occasional species or species became rare or disappeared at present. It is evident that all these references constitute an essential support to compare the faunistic composition of the present species assemblages with those of the past. A large fraction of the collected material contains also important information on the fisheries present in the past, providing description on fishing grounds, fishing practices, catches, fishing gears: only as an example, we can cite Marchesetti (1884), Police (1911), Le Danois (1925), Andreu and Rodriguez Roda (1951), Bas et al. (1955; 1985; 2003), Planas et al. (1956), Dieuzeide et al. (1958), Maurin (1963; 1965), Maurin and Bonnet (1964), Doumenge (1966), Lozano Cabo (1966), Bas (1967), Bombace and Sarà (1971), Lumare and Utzeri (1973), Zupanovic (1974). Among the collected material, several references of particular “historic” interest are worthy of note, being written at the beginning of last century or in the second half of 1800. They concern detailed description of fisheries, fishing practices and catches (even though rarely providing quantitative data), reporting also interesting anthropological and social information. As an example, for the Italian seas the publication of Zuccagni-Orlandini (1850) provides a detailed description of fleets and fisheries present off Tuscany (the former “Granducato di Toscana”) in the period 1800-1850, that of Coccoluto Ferrigni (1866), which punctually described catches and problems of a small scale and trawl fishery of the port of Livorno. Parona (1898) and Ariola (1904;1913) report interesting information of old fisheries present in the Ligurian Sea, Police (1911) for the Gulf of Naples and Faber and Quaritch (1883) the same information for the Adriatic Sea. Similar historical information for the Mediterranean Spanish waters is reported in Corones (1821) and Barcelo (1868). 40 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Other documents of particular interest are the two publications of Du Monceau (1769; 1797), two encyclopaedic texts on fish and fisheries, a very precious reference point. Even though written more recently, also the publications of Thomazi (1947), Bas et al., (1955; 2003), Redoano Coppedè (1970), Michell (1978), Salvemini (1985), Anselmi (1987), Johnson and Lavigne (1999), Doneddu and Gangemi (2000), Frascani and Armiero (2001), Doneddu (2002), Parigino (2003), Fortibuoni et al., (2009) provide information (and also some data) on fisheries carried out in the period 1700-1900 in different Mediterranean geographical areas. As concerns analyses of changes in resources abundance or fish community structure due to changes in fishing pressure or analyses on time series of fishery dependent/independent data, at present very scarce information is available for Mediterranean trawl fisheries and only a restricted number of references has been found in the first months of the project activities. One of the first accounts of the effects of fishing on species composition and species interaction can be found in D’Ancona (1926; 1934; 1949); his early theory of predator/prey interaction inspired Volterra for the predator/prey equation. D’Ancona observed in the northern Adriatic that before first World War and second World War the percentage of elasmobranchs was declining while teleosts were increasing under increasing fishing effort. After each war, during which fishing activity declined dramatically, he noticed that the percentage of predators (elasmobranches) increased again and preys (teleosts) declined. In a different perspective, the work of D’Ancona can be seen as a first attempt of looking at long term population changes in the Adriatic Sea and, perhaps, in the Mediterranean. There was a long spell, with few exceptions, of these types of works until more recent years. The Doumenge Phd Thesis (1966) provides an interesting data series on commercial CPUE produced by French fleet working in the Gulf of Lions. Jukic (1974) estimated the trends in Nephrops norvegicus CPUE over the period 1960-1970, not finding mayor trends in the Central Adriatic and Jugoslavian Channels, although he used simple linear regression. Among the most interesting references, Aldebert (1997) provides a study on the evolution over time (1957-1995) of the demersal fish community of the Gulf of Lions according to changes in fishing pressure, showing a significant impact suffered in particular by several Elasmobranch species. Another interesting work is that of Juckic et al (2001) which compares the status of Adriatic demersal resources according to trawl surveys performed in 1948 (Hvar expedition) and 1998 (Medits): the main change observed was the reduction of elasmobranchs frequency and diversity. The works of Bas et al (2003) and Fortibuoni et al (2009) provide, among other, information on trends in catches and CPUE as well as in species composition, however without applying particular statistical approach of data analysis. Oliver (1993) and Sartor et al. (2006) investigated short and recent time series of landing and LPUE data (1980-1991 the first paper, 1991-2005 the second), using different analytical approaches. Many references collected for this bibliographic reference list deal with statistics of fish production, in particular reporting data on landings, fleet composition and vessel capacity. The reported data are very different as concerns the time period covered, the geographical scale (from a single port to a region or a Country) and the typology of information, if it came from official statistic or from scientific monitoring activities. The collected material has allowed to cover many Mediterranean countries. As concerns Italy, all the data series provided by ISTAT (the Italian Central Institute of Statistics) was collected. These statistics start, even though as not very detailed data, in 1860. More detailed data, recorded according to maritime compartment or geographical region, are available from after the second World War. From 2002, the official statistics collected by IREPA onlus (Istituto Ricerche Economiche per la Pesca e l’Acquacoltura) were collected. At this purpose, interesting papers showing the organisation of the Italian Statistical System of the past and results of projects on fishery statistic are D’Ancona (1934), 41 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Bazzuoli (1954), Bazigos et al. (1984), Bombace and Cingolani (1986). Other references for Italy concern in particular the Adriatic sea (not only the Italian part), as for example D’Ancona (1949), Basioli (1974), Orel (1985) and Lanfredi (2003). Other references on fishery dependent data (landings and fleets composition) were collected also for other Mediterranean countries as France [e.g. the fishery statistic provided by the French Marine Ministry for the period 1954-1981, the works of Berger (1982) and Meuriot and Dremiere (1986)], former Jugoslavia [Zupanovic (1954)], Albania [Osmani et al (2003)], Tunisia [e.g. the official statistic for the years 1931-1937 or the works of Pascal (1954), Gurtner (1958), Bohulal (1972)], Algeria [e.g. Furnerstin (1961), Aleya (1966)], Syria [Beckman and Farina (1956), Farina (1957)] and for other countries such as Lybia, Plaestina, Israel, Lebanon, Malta. Also references reporting technical aspects of the fishing gears used in the past, mainly trawling, in particular experiments on the functioning of the fishing gear have been included in the bibliography, as Galea (1963), Suau et al. (1965), Farina (1969), Bilio (1974), Nedelec et al (1980), Ferretti (1983), Fiorentini and Cosimi (1981), Godo et al., (1990), Fiorentini et al (1998), Perodou and Andrianavaly (1999). They contain useful information for a possible standardisation of different catch per unit of effort data and for a possible estimation of catchability coefficients. Other references, as those of Bishop (2006) and Cardinale at al. (2009) are relevant for the estimation of fishing power and technological creeping. Numerous references collected deal with experimental fishery, mainly trawl surveys carried out in the past (before 80’s of the last century) in different Mediterranean areas. Among others, worthy on note are the scientific papers of the technical reports of the surveys performed by the French research vessel “Thalassa” (published by the INSTPM reports and by several works of Maurin) and by the former Jugoslavian “Hvar” research [e.g. Soljan (1954), Karlovac (1956; 1959), Marasovic and Krstulovic (1999)]. At a more restricted grographical scale, also several other references have been collected: interesting information comes from the experiments performed in the northern Adriatic and northern Tyrrhenian Sea and reported by Mancini (1922, 1927); other interesting data are those reported by Ermirio (1931) and Mazzarelli (1936), which described experimental surveys performed in Italian and Lybic waters; Piccinetti and Juckic (1984) described some results obtained during the “Pipeta” trawl surveys performed in the northern Adriatic; Blanc (1956; 1957) reported data on two surveys carried out in Gulf of Lions and Ligurian Sea; several information has been found for trawl surveys performed in the past off Tunisian waters, e.g. Dremiere (1978), for the “Ichtys” survey, Bonnet (1979) as concerns the “Pelagia” survey and the works of Bourgois and Farina (1961) and Gharbi et al. (1986); other interesting references are De Buen (1916) and Suau (1977) as concerns trawl surveys realized off the Spanish waters; finally other information for experimental fishery is that proceeding from Hashem (1972, Egyptian waters), Kristjonsson (1955, Turkey), Moustapha (1965, “Douphin” expedition off Lybic waters). Several references deal with the description of environmental parameters, such as NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) WEMO (Western Mediterranean Oscillation), sea surface temperature and wind speed). In addition to theoretical aspects, some references provide also large time series of data [e.g. Metaxas et al. (1991), Hurrel (1995), Jones (1997), Osborn (2004; 2006), Martin Vide and Lopez Bustins (2006). Hurrel and Deser (2009)]. In same cases, the effects of the environmental factors on the marine populations have been also investigated, as in the work of Ibrahim et al. (1982) were the effects of the Nile discharges on the sardine population were analysed, and Dulcic (1999) which investigated the effects of water warming on the ichthyofauna. Finally, this bibliographic reference list contains also several papers universally known as theoretical reference for the study on the long terms changes of the marine populations, in particular fishery 42 EVOMED – draft Final Report - resources, in relation to the anthropogenic factors, as the works of Jackson, (1999), Degobbins et al. (2000), Roger and Ellis (2000), Jackson (2001) Jennings et al. (1999), Fortibuoni et al., (2008), Ferretti et al. (2010), Thurstan et al. (2010). Among these references, there are some papers specifically dealing with the concept of “shifting baseline” (e.g. Pauly, 1995; Sheppard , 1995; Pinnegar and Engelhard, 2007), an important theoretical aspect for the themes developed by the present project. 2.2.2.2.3 – Greek Seas Literature review in Hellas The current literature review aims to concentrate the available historical information concerning the Hellenic demersal fisheries, in terms of characteristics of fleets, fishing effort, catches, landings and some relevant environmental indicators. Fishing has important effects on marine ecosystems at all levels of biological organisation, namely individual, population and community ecosystem. Fishing is one of the oldest activities associated with the Hellenic people and culture. This ancient lineage signifies the strength of traditional ties and of deeply embedded social forms in the evolving structure and subsequent development of the fisheries sector. Historical Notes Interest in marine animals and plants, as well as phenomena concerning and open sea waters, can be traced in Greece back to Minoan times. The frescoes of Knossos and Santorini, the teachings of the Ionian philosophers, Aristotle’s books testify to this uninterrupted tradition, which has continued right to the present. After the independence of the Greek state, in 1828, several scientific studies concerning marine biology and geology, as well as the physiongraphy of the coastal areas from both foreign and Greek scientists were published. However, it was only in 1912 that Greek Gaverment decided to take concerted action by inviting Prof. D. Vinciguerra, Director of the Rome Fish-husbandry Station, to study aspects of fishing and fish culture. Vinciguerra, in his report, suggested the creation of Marine Hydrobiological Station. In 1914, a station was established in suburb of Athens, on the coast of Palaeon Phaleron, and started operating the following year. With restricted resources, studies on fisheries and marine biology were initiated. This effort was in accordance with the intention of the Oceanographic Commission of Monaco for exploring scientifically the part of the Mediterranean which incumbed to Greece (from Corfu to Crete and the Dardanelles), according to a plan provided by L. Joubin. In 1948, the Marine Hydrobiological Station was renamed Laboratory of Fisheries Research and came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture. However, within this time space, a second Institution was founded. During the enemy occupation of Greece, in the Second World War (1941-1944), Professor Max Hartmann, the famous German marine biologist, asked Athens Academy to establish a Research Institute specializing in Marine Biology, similar to the station operating in Naples. The plan was that, in this Institure, German and Greek scientists would work together. But the times were difficult and the country suffered from the foreign occupation after resisting the attack of the Axis. Thus, Athens Academy, in a courageous move, fiercely declined this request. After the war, in 1945, the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy was founded and set up its laboratories in spacy building in Piraeus. In the H.H.I., the Rhodes Hydrobiological Station was incorporated in 1947. This Station, founded by the Italians during their occupation of Dodecanese, and known as Istituto di Riserche Biologiche, was handed to the Athens Academy, after the union of the Dodecanese islands with Greece. A small ship, “GLAFKE”, was converted into a research vessel and, in 1946, carried out three oceanographic cruises in the Aegean under the direction of the H.H.I. and guidance of the French 43 EVOMED – draft Final Report - hydrobiologist G.Belloc. English and U.S. colleagues helped to build the foundations in the modern Greek scientific tradition. In 1965, the Laboratory merged with the newly-created Institute of Oceanographic and Fisheries Research (IOKAE), but only in 1970 did the new organization start to function. In 1985, with additions and expansion in expertise and broader scopes and objectives, the Institute was renamed “National Centre for Marine Research”, under the jurisdiction of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Technology. Thus, the Centre is the main Research Institution in Marine Sciences in Greece, although, in recent times, several Universities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Crete), Research establishments (“Democritos” Atomic Energy Research Centre, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Agricultural Research Foundation: Fisheries Research Institute in Kavala) and Ministries (the Directorate of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Public Works) have developed an interest and expertise in different fields of marine research. Finally, in 1987, the Institute of Marine biology of Crete was established. With these institutions, the National Centre for Marine Research has close ties in theoretical and technical aspects pertinent to its research programmes. The coastline of Hellas is more than 18 000 km in length and has a variety of coastal landforms, such as cliffs and rocky shores, beaches and deltaic coasts. The Hellenic marine fisheries’ sector is characterised by this extended coastline, a large number of small islands and the fact that a high proportion of the coastal areas’ employment is being absorbed by the fisheries’ sector and its ancillary activities. The conditions, which are characteristic of the Hellenic marine fishery, are: (a) the extended length of the coastline, (b) the narrow continental shelf and slope, (c) the low biological productivity of the waters, (d) the great number of exploitable species, (e) the mostly- rocky nature of the sea bottom, and (f) the limited extent of grounds suitable for trawling. Due to the presence of a relatively narrow continental shelf, fishing vessels are confined to operate over a narrow zone (usually, from one to three miles from the coast and rarely beyond four miles). The main area of operation of the Hellenic fishing fleet is the Aegean Sea, the gulfs of the mainland which are connected to this area, the northern coasts of the island of Kriti and the western coasts of Peloponnisos in the southern Ioanian Sea (Anonymous, 1994). The presence of deep waters in the Ionian Sea and the extremely narrow continental shelf around the islands do not favour the development of important fishing activities in the northwestern part of the country (Petrakis and Papaconstantinou, 1997). The marine environment of Hellas is predominantly a temperate one. Hence fish stocks of the region are typically temperate, in keeping with the coastal water temperatures, which range from 10°C to about 18°C in the winter, 14°C to 30°C in the summer (Tab. 2.2.2.2). 44 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.2 - Typical surface to bottom ranges of temperature and salinity in several coastal areas around Hellas in winter (February, March) and summer (August, September) (Kontouiannis et al., 2005 in SoHelME, 2005). 1: Including Elefsis Bay and the deep (450m) west sub-basin, 2-3: In Elefsis Bay, 4: In the west sub-basin, 5: Due to occasional inflow of Black Sea water. Marine fishery includes the professional fishermen who are the most numerous in terms of employment and the most important in terms of production volumes. According to the Hellenic administrative classification criteria (Kotsolios, 1994) the national fishery sector is separated into three main subcategories: (a) ‘small-scale fisheries’, operating in coastal waters by vessels employing set gear (gill nets, trammel nets, surrounding nets, hook lines, longlines, traps, etc.) and also certain types of towed gear, such as dredges and beach seines; (b) ‘medium fishery’ - operated by trawlers and purse-seiners; and (c) ‘transatlantic fishery’ - operated by large trawlers fishing for fish and shrimps in the high seas. Within this sub-category a number of vessels are included that serve primarily as transporters of the products from the fishing area. However, apart from the three officially recognised sub-categories, an additional one exists. It is the sport (recreational or amateur’s) subcategory, which is a significant aspect of concern, particularly as it regards competition with the small-scale coastal fisheries. The marine and coastal ecosystems of Hellas, characteristic of the Mediterranean Sea, include all the representative Mediterranean habitat types, as its topography and bathymetry is very variable. A main characteristic of the Hellenic marine environment is the high habitat diversity encountered over small distances. Horizontally, rocky shores alternate with small sandy beaches and smaller or larger estuaries, while vertically, shallow waters change abruptly to deep waters. Apart from specific coastal areas where the concentration of human activities has caused disturbance to the marine environment, the Hellenic Seas retain characteristics of high ecological quality. The Hellenic coastal marine areas are in general characterised by a relatively narrow shelf, i.e., the 100 m isobath is within a 20-30 km distance from the nearby coast, whereas only a few river deltas exist, most of which are in the north Aegean. The freshwater discharge of the Hellenic rivers is minimal so that in each case the riverine water influence on the coastal hydrology is localised in the wider delta vicinity (SoHelME, 2005). As a result of the small shelf width, the relatively narrow coastal areas undergo: 1) a strong seasonal cycle in the sea water physical characteristics of temperature and salinity that is driven by the 45 EVOMED – draft Final Report - atmospheric interaction (heating/cooling, evaporation/precipitation) and 2) a strong influence by hydrological features of the open sea which can massively intrude over the narrow shelf into the coastal areas. In areas where there is fresh-water input from local rivers, this riverine water is a third factor that carries its own seasonal signal and contributes to the determination of the local hydrologic characteristics. Tab. 2.2.2.3 summarises the observed ranges in the values of temperature and salinity of the above coastal regions during winter and summer (SoHelME, 2005). Tab. 2.2.2.3 - Typical surface-to-bottom ranges of temperature and salinity in several coastal areas around Hellas during winter (February, March) and summer (August, September), and representative surface/bottom standard deviation values of them (based on CTD data from the Medar Group 2002). Source: Based on CTD data from the Medar Group, 2002. Notes: 1: Including Elefsis Bay and the deep (450 m) west sub-basin 2 3 , : In Elefsis Bay 4: In the west sub-basin 5: Due to occasional inflow of Black Sea water The surface circulation of the Aegean Sea is quite well understood today, as a consequence of the various international, European and national research projects, and regional studies performed in the region. Our current knowledge of the surface circulation is summarised in Fig. 2.2.2.1. In general, the circulation in the Aegean Sea is cyclonic, with warm, saline water from the Levantine entering the Aegean through the eastern Cretan Straits via the branches detached from the AMC. This Levantine water mass travels northwards along the eastern Aegean Sea. The Chios basins in the central Aegean are dominated by two permanent cyclones, which contribute to this general cyclonic circulation. The Levantine waters, when reaching the Black Sea outflow in the vicinity of the island of Limnos, get subducted below the very light Black Sea water layer. This layer is formed by waters flowing out from the Dardanelles and then moving westwards and eventually southwards. It covers the north Aegean and moves in a cyclonic motion westwards and southwards along the east coast of the Hellenic Peninsula. Occasionally, part of the low-salinity water is arrested by a permanent anticyclone flowing around the island of Samothraki, forming a salinity minimum there. This anticyclone is also responsible for the southward dispersion of the river Evros plume. The low-salinity surface waters of the Samothraki Plateau form a thermohaline front with higher salinity waters along the Athos – Limnos Strait. The exchange across the front appears to be a partly barotropic (over the Samothraki Plateau) partly baroclinic (over the North Aegean Trough) response to the variability of the 46 EVOMED – draft Final Report - meridional sea surface pressure gradient along the Aegean Sea (Georgopoulos, 2002). Under certain conditions, the front ‘breaks’ and a cyclone is formed off Athos, carrying water from the plateau southwards, while water of higher salinity flows northwards west of Limnos island, often generating a mushroom-like feature. The North Sporades basin is characterised by variable mesoscale circulation and the recurrence of a cyclone over the deep basin. The cyclonic circulation of the north and central Aegean, characterised by the northward flow of Levantine waters along the eastern Aegean, culminates in a very strong, permanent return southeastward current along the east coast of the island of Evvoia. This flow is continued along the northern edge of the Kyklades archipelago and partly feeds the cyclone of Chios basin. A small part of the Evvoia current crosses the Cavo D’Oro channel and flows south-westward to enter the Myrtoan Sea and feeds a permanent or recurrent cyclone there. However, the circulation in the Cretan Sea is currently dominated by the presence of an anticyclone over central/western north Kriti and a cyclone over central/eastern north Kriti. The two features form a dipole, largely barotropic, which has been observed repeatedly in the Cretan Sea since 1994. 47 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.1 - Surface circulation of the Aegean Sea (arrows) superimposed on a sea surface temperature image from satellite (Solid lines represent permanent features and dashed lines recurrent or transient features). The circulation of the Aegean Sea exhibits small variability at synoptic scale, as a response to atmospheric variability. The reason for this is that the circulation is largely determined by baroclinicity and topography; thus, it is characterised by a cyclonic circulation of the Black Sea waters from the northeast Aegean and of the Levantine waters from the area of Rodos. This circulation is reflected in the surface distribution primarily of salinity observed through most of the year (Fig. 2.2.2.2). The sea 48 EVOMED – draft Final Report - surface temperature also exhibits the same distribution in winter. However, on a seasonal timescale, there is a very major change in the Aegean Sea circulation, which may be playing a significant role, not only in influencing the longer-term hydrographic properties of the Sea, but also in affecting its ecosystem. Fig. 2.2.2.2 - Typical winter and summer temperature (left) and salinity (right) as recorded in the framework of the POEM program (SoHelME, 2005). This change, that takes place annually in the Aegean, is the coastal upwelling of intermediate waters, evidenced every summer along the eastern Aegean, as a response to the persistence of the Etesian northerly winds during the months of July and August. The Etesians displace the warm, surface waters towards the western Aegean, due to the rotation of the earth. These waters are replaced by intermediate, cool waters that rise to the surface. Thus, every summer, the dominant annual zonal temperature gradient, reflecting the path of the Black Sea waters, is replaced by a meridional gradient mirroring the upwelling of intermediate waters along the eastern Aegean Sea (Fig. 2.2.2.2). The oligotrophic character of the Aegean limits the importance of the coastal upwelling (in comparison to coastal upwelling sites of the open ocean) however, the ecological importance of the seasonal upwelling in the eastern Aegean remains to be studied (SoHelME, 2005). The oldest reference available in the Aegean sea (Cyclades) (Erhard, 1858) reported the presence of 170 fish species (Tab. 2.2.2.4). During 1892 Hoffman and Jordan also presented a 49 EVOMED – draft Final Report - systematic list of 216 known species from Hellas (Tab. 2.2.2.4). In 1907 Apostolides presented a systematic list of 235 known Hellenic species (Tab. 2.2.2.4). Vinciguerra (1913) reported low abundance of tuna fish in the Aegean sea and mentions 2 tuna fish weighing 38.5 and 64 kg from the gulf of Gialtra in Aedipsos in Evoia island. Although EVOMED is primarily focused in the evolution of demersal resources, this very early record of large pelagic tuna fisheries was considered important and is presented here. The same author also reports that local fishermen caught a tuna fish weighing 256 kg. Tuna fishing occurs with net traps (θυννεία, thyneia in Greek) and lasts from the 25th of April until the 10th of June. The total landings of tuna fish in 1912 (Vinciguerra, 1913) were recorded to be 7,680 kg and included over 600 fish and possibly include several tuna fish species. In the area of Milina in Pagasiticos bay (central Greece) during the years prior to 1911 according to local fishermen 5-150 tuna fish were landed per year and some reports even mentioned a number of 1,000 fish per year with an individual fish weight between 25 and 384 kg (Vinciguerra, 1913). Fishing for tuna during 1911 in Milina was taking place with the use of static nets attaching one end to the land and the other end hundreds of meters into the sea forming a semi circular barrier closing to engulf the fish flock that was spotted (Figs 2.2.2.3-5). An alternative way of tuna fishing was with the installation of fish trap (θυννείο) (Vinciguerra, 1913). Fig. 2.2.2.3 - Fish traps from nets (Θυννείο ή Νταλιάνι). 50 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.4 - Scetch of fishing with the use of beach seine (pezotrata or vitzotrata). Fig. 2.2.2.5 - Fishing with the use of beach seine (pezotrata). 51 EVOMED – draft Final Report - In 1916 Panagiotopoulos reported on the industrial use of clupeids (Clupea herengus, Alosa sardina, Alosa finta, Alosa vulgaris, Engraulis encrasicholus) and mentioned that thousands of kg were caught each year in Greece. During 1917 Athanassopoulos published a description of 105 fish species from Greece including demersal species. In 1921 Vinciguerra published a description of 3 new freshwater fish species identified in Greece. In Tab. 2.2.2.4 the reported fish species of these early 20th century Hellenic fisheries studies are presented. Some useful observations emerged: a) the continuous presence of some species (e.g. Gobiidae, Dentex spp, Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus, Mugil cephalus, Oblada melanoura, Merluccius merluccius, Pagellus erythrinus, Pagrus vulgaris) b) the fragmented representation of species such as Pleuronectes poutassou, Mustelus spp c) the presence/absence of some others fish species e.g. Sargus spp, Raja clavata. 52 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.4 - List of species caught from 1858 until 1978 in Greece. Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Abramis brama Abramis lucidus Acanthias vulgaris Acipenser sturio Aetobatis aquilla Aetobatis bovina Albacora thynnus Alburnus lucidus Alopias vulpes Alosa finta Alosa sardina Alosa vulgaris Anguilla anguilla Anguilla vulgaris Anthias anthias Anthias sacer Antonogadus megalokynodon Apogon imberbis Argentina sphyraena Ariosoma balearica Arnoglossus bosci Arnoglossus laterna Atherina boyeri Atherina hepsetus Atherina mochon Atherina risso Atherina sp Aulopus filamentosus Auxis bisus Balistes capriscus Balistes carolinensis Barbus fluviatilis Barbus meridionalis Bellottia apoda Belone acus Belone belone + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Belone vulgaris Bibius lota Blennius crinitus Blennius galerita Blennius gattorugine Blennius montagui Blennius ocellaris Blennius palmicornis Blennius pavo Blennius pholis Blennius sanguinolentus Blennius sp. - + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + - - - + + - + - + - 53 EVOMED – draft Final Report Blennius trigloides Boops boops Boops salpa Bothus podas Bothus rhomboides Bothus rhombus Box boops Box salpa Box vulgaris Branchiostoma lanceolatum C. breviceps C. centrodondus C. mormyrus Callionymus festivus Callionymus lyra Callionymus maculatus Callionymus phaeton Cantharus articularis Cantharus brama Cantharus griseus Cantharus orbicularis Cantharus vulgaris Capros aper Capros famille Caranx fusus Caranx rhonchus Caranx sp. + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - - + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + - + + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Caranx suareus Carassius auratus Carassius auratus Carassius vulgaris Carcharias ferox Carcharias glaucus Carcharias obtusirostris Carcharias vulpes Carcharinus glaucus Carcharodon carcharias Carcharodon lamia Carpos aper Catulus stellaris Centracanthus alcedo Centracanthus cirrus Centracanthus smaris Centriscus scolopax Centrolophus niger Centropomus rubens Cephalacanthus volitans Cephaloptera giorna Cepola rubescens Cepola taenia Charax puntazzo Chimaera monstrosa Chlorophthalmus agassizi Chondrostoma nasus + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - + - + + - - + + - + + + + - 54 EVOMED – draft Final Report Chromis castanea Chromis chomis Chrysophrys aurata Chrysophrys crassirostris Citarus linguatula Clinus argentatus Clupea alosa Clupea macedonica Clupea pilchardus Clupea rufa Clupea sardina Cobitis sp. + + + - + + + + - + + + + - + + - + - + + - + - + - + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Cobitis taenia Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus Conger conger Conger myrus Conger niger Conger vulgaris Coricus rostratus Coricus virescens Coris julis Corvina nigra Coryphaena hippuroides Coryphaena hippurus Crenilabrus brunnichii Crenilabrus caeruleus Crenilabrus geoffroyi Crenilabrus guttatus Crenilabrus littoralis Crenilabrus meditarraneus Crenilabrus melops Crenilabrus nigrescens Crenilabrus ocellatus Crenilabrus pavo Crenilabrus roissalii Crenilacrus core Crenilacrus massa Cristiceps argentatus Cromis castanea Ctenilabrus rupestris Ctenolabrus rupestris Ctenolabrus suillus Cyprinus carpio Cyprinus collari Dactylopterus volitans Dasyatis pastinaca Dasyatis sp. Decapterus suareus Dentex dentex Dentex macrophthalmus Dentex vulgaris + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + - + + + - + + - + + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 55 EVOMED – draft Final Report Dicentrarchus labrax Dicentrarchus punctatus Diplodus annularis Diplodus sargus Diplodus vetula Diplodus vulgaris Echelus myrus Echeneis naucrates Echeneis remota Eledone moschata Engraulis engrasicholus Entelurus anguineus Epinephelus aeneus Epinephelus alexandrinus Epinephelus chrysotaenia Epinephelus gigas Epinephelus guaza Epinephelus sp. Esoocetus volitans Esox belone Esox lucius Etmopterus spinax Eucitharus linguatula Eutrigla gurnardus Exocoetus volitans Exoxoetus exsiliens Fierasfer imberbis Flesus passer Gadella maraldi Gadiculus arhenteus argenteus Gadus callarias Gadus minutus Gadus morhua Gadus poutassou Gaidropsarus mediterraneus Galeus canis Galeus megastomus Galeus mustelus Galeus sp. + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + - + - - + + - + + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Galeus vulgaris Gambusia affinis holbrookii Githarus macrolepidotus Glossanodon leioglossus Gobio fluviatilis Gobius auratus Gobius capito Gobius cobitis Gobius cruentatus Gobius guttatus Gobius Jozo Gobius minutus Gobius niger Gobius paganellus Gobius quadripunctatus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + - - - + + + + + - + + - - + - 56 EVOMED – draft Final Report Gobius quatrimaculatus Gobius sp. Gobius thessalus Gobius thori Gymnammodytes cicerellus Gymnosarda alliterata Gymnosarda pelamys Gymnothorax unicolor Harengula aurita Harengula phalerica Heliastes cromis Helicolemus dactylopterus Hemirhamphus marginatus Heptanchus cinereus Hippocampus brevirostris Hippocampus guttulatus Hippocampus hippocampus Hoplostethus mediterraneus Hygophum benoiti Hymenocephallus italicus Hyrichthys cultratus Illex sp. Isurus oxyrhynchus Johnius umbra + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + - + - + + - + + + + + - + + - + + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Julis giofredi Julis julis Julis Pavo Julis speciosus Julis turcica Julis vulgaris Labrax lupaster Labrax lupus Labrax nigraceus Labrax punctatus Labrus limbatus Labrus bergylta Labrus bimaculatus Labrus carneus Labrus festivus Labrus limbadus Labrus lineolatus Labrus livens Labrus lividus Labrus luscus Labrus merula Labrus mixtus Labrus nereus Labrus rubiginosus Labrus rupestris Labrus saxatilis Labrus saxorum Labrus turdus Labrus viridis Labrus viridis nereus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + - + - + + - + + - - - 57 EVOMED – draft Final Report Lamna cornubica Lampanyctus crocodilus Lampugus pelagicus Lepadogaster biciliatus Lepadogaster bimaculatus Lepadogaster gouanii Lepadogaster Mirbellii Lepidopus argenteus Lepidorhombus bosci + + + + - + - + + + + - - - - - - - + + Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Lepidotrigla cavillone Lepidotrigla cavillone Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei Lepidotus caudatus Leptocephalus conger Leucaspius marathonicus Leuciscus cephalus Leusiscus rutilus Lichia amia Lichia glauca Lichia vadigo Lobotes surinamensis Loligo sp. Loligo vulgaris Lophius budegassa Lophius piscatorius Lophotes cepedianus Lota elongata Lota mola Macrorhamphosus gracilis Macrorhamphosus scolopax Macrurus coelorhynchus Maena jusculum Maena maena Maena osbekii Maena smaris Maena sp. Maena vulgaris Maja sp. Meleta phalerica Merlangus poutassou Merluccius merluccius Merlucius vulgaris Microchirus variegatus Micromesistius poutassou Modula edentula Mola mola Molva elongata Molva vulgaris + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Monochirus hispidus Monochirus variegatus Monochurus ocellatus - + + + - - - - - - - + - 58 EVOMED – draft Final Report Mora mediterranea Mora mora Mugil auratus Mugil capito Mugil cephalus Mugil chelo Mugil curtus Mugil labeo Mugil provensalis Mugil ramada Mugil saliens Mugil sp Mullus barbatus Mullus fuscatus Mullus surmuletus Muraena helena Mustelus laevis Mustelus mustelus Mustelus plebejus Mustelus vulgaris Mycteroperca rubra Myliobatis aquila Myliobatis bovina Myrus vulgaris Mytilus galloprovincialis Naucrates ductor Nephrops norvegicus Nezumia sclerorhynchus Notidanus cinereus Oblada melanura Octopus macropus Octopus vulgaris Odontaspis Ferox Ophidion barbatum Ophidion fierasfer Ophidion Vasalli + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + - + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Ophisoma balearicum Ophisurus serpens Orophycis blenoides Orthagoriscus mola Orthagoriscus oblongus Ostracion trigonus Ostrea edulis Oxynotus centrina Oxyrhinum spallanzani Ozaena moschata Pagellus acarne Pagellus bogaraveo Pagellus breviceps Pagellus centrodontus Pagellus erythrinus Pagellus mormyrus Pagrus orphus Pagrus pagrus + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + + + - + + + + - + + - 59 EVOMED – draft Final Report Pagrus vulgaris Palaemon sp. Palinurus vulgaris Paracentropristis hepatus Paralepis coregonoides Parapelis sphyraenoides Pararhodeus prosperoi Parasilurus aristotelis Pelamis sarda Penaeus caramote Perca fluviatilis Peristedion cataphractum Phoxinus laevis Phycis blennoides Phycis mediterraneus Phycis physis Platophrys podas Pleuronectes candidissimus Pleuronectes conspersus Pleuronectes flesus Pollachius poutassou + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - - + + + + + - + + - + + - + + - + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Polyprion cernium Polyprion cernuus Pomatomus saltatrix portunus sp. Psetta maxima Pteromyzon marinus Puntazzo puntazzo Raja asterias Raja batis Raja chagrinea Raja clavata Raja flosiada Raja fullonica Raja miraletus Raja montagui Raja naevus Raja ondulata Raja punctata Raja radula Raja sp. Remora remora Rhinobatus colonnae Rhinobatus columnae Rhombus candidissimus Rhombus mancus Rhombus vulgaris Rombus loevis Rombus maximus Salmo fario Salmo salar Sarda sarda Sardinella aurita Sargus annularis + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + + + + - 60 EVOMED – draft Final Report Sargus rondeletii Sargus salvani Sargus vetula Sargus vulgaris Saurus fasciatus Saurus griseus + + + + - - + + + + - + + - - + + + - + + - - - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Saurus lacerta Scardinius erythrophthalmus Scarus cretensis Scatharus graecus Sciaena aquila Sciaena cirrosa Sciaena umbra scomber colias Scomber scomber Scomber scombrus Scombrexos rondeletii Scorpaena porcus Scorpaena scrofa Scorpaena ustulata Scyliorhinus canicula Scyllarides latus Scyllium canicula Scyllium catulus Scyllium sp Scyllium stellare Sepia officinalis Seriola dumerilii Serranus anthias Serranus buphtalmos Serranus cabrilla Serranus gigas Serranus hepatus Serranus scriba Siganus rivulatus Silurus glanis Siphonostoma acus Siphonostoma rondeletii Siphostoma typhle Smaris alcedo Smaris chryselis Smaris gracilis Smaris insidiator Smaris maurii Smaris vulgaris + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + - + + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Solea lascaris Solea ocellata Solea oculata Solea solea Solea theophila Solea theophilus + + + + + - + + - + - - - + - - - - 61 EVOMED – draft Final Report Solea variegata Solea vulgaris Solen siliqua Sparisoma cretense Sparus aurata Sparus pagrus Sphyraena spet Sphyraena sphyraena Sphyraena vulgaris Sphyrna tudes Sphyrna zygaena Spicara alcedo Spicara smaris Spondyliosoma cantharus Spondyliosoma prbiculare Squalius agassisii Squalius cephalus Squalius suffia Squalus acanthias Squalus blainvillei Squatina angelus Squatina squatina Squilla mantis Sragus rondeletii Stolephorus encrasicholus Strinsia linca Stromateus fiatola Sygnathus aequoreus Symphodus cinereus Symphodus doderleini Symphodus mediterraneus Symphodus melanocercus Symphodus melops + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - - + + + - + + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + + - - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Symphodus ocellaris Symphodus ocellatus Symphodus quinquemaculatus Symphodus scina Symphodus tinca Symphurus nigrescens Syngnathus acus Synodus saurus Syphonostoma argentatum Teuthis siganus Thalassoma pavo Thynnus brachypterus Thynnus thunida Thynnus thynnina Thynnus thynnus Thynnus vulgaris Tinca tinca Tinca vulgaris Torpedo galvanii Torpedo marmorata Torpedo sp. + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + - + + - + - + - 62 EVOMED – draft Final Report Torpedo torpedo Torpedo vulgaris Trachinus araneus Trachinus draco Trachinus radiatus Trachinus radiatus Trachinus sp. Trachinus vipera Trachurus mediterraneus Trachurus trachurus Trachypterus falx Trachypterus spinolae Trachypterus taenia Trachypterus trachypterus Trichiurus lepturus Trigla aspera Trigla bloch Trigla cavillone + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + - + + + + + - + + + - + + + - + + - Species List Erhard 1858 Hoffman and Jordan 1892 Apostolides 1907 Athanassopoulos 1917 Vinciguerra 1921 Maldura 1938 Tortonese 1947 Ananiadis 1948 Rigopoulos 1973 Tsimenidis 1978 Trigla cuculus Trigla gurnardus Trigla hirundo Trigla lastoviza Trigla lineata Trigla lucerna Trigla lyra Trigla milvus Trigla sp. Trigloporus lastoviza Tripterygion nasus Tripterygion tripteronotus Trispoterus minutus capelanus Truta fario Trygla corax Trygon pastinaca Trygon vulgaris Typhle typhle Umbrina cirrosa Uranoscopus scaber Ventrina vulpecula Xiphias gladius Xyrichthys novacula Zeus faber Zeus punzio Zygaena malleus Zygaena tudes + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + - + + + - + + + + + - 63 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Maldura (1938) reported the first “socioeconomic”type of Greek data with regard to the number of fishermen, number of boats and the total production in south eastern Aegean sea during 1936 (Tab. 2.2.2.5). Tab. 2.2.2.5 - Number of fishermen, fishing boats and production in south eastern Aegean sea during 1936 (Maldura, 1938). Island and port Rodos island Lindos (Rodes) Calchi Carpathos Finichi (Carpathos) Casos Simi Nisiros Palos (Nisiros) Episcopi Stampalia Kos Kalimnos Leros Portolagos (Leros) Lisso Patmos Kasteloriso Total Number of fishermen 155 50 32 8 15 64 142 30 34 6 12 59 155 78 40 25 67 29 1001 Number of boats 29 23 11 21 5 22 40 3 5 2 4 6 71 28 18 13 29 13 343 Production (kg) 20138 5697 5754 1241 1692 6092 67295 14666 8236 1297 3610 29896 20815 11846 4231 2426 11112 7502 223545 The presence of 106 fish species was reported by Tortonese (1947) in the south eastern Aegean sea in Rodos island. The same author recorded the physical characteristics of the water column down to a depth of 200 meters offshore Rodos Island in July 1936 (Tab. 2.2.2.6). Tab. 2.2.2.6 - Physical characteristics of seawater offshore Rhodes Island (Aegean Sea) in 11th July 1936 (Tortonese, 1947). Depth 0 10 25 50 75 100 150 200 Temperature (°C) 26.86 25.56 23.60 21.79 19.65 18.65 17.32 16.66 Salinity (ppt) 38.85 38.84 38.86 38.77 38.81 38.78 38.74 38.86 O2 Conc. (mg.l) 4.62 4.43 4.83 5.13 5.31 5.30 5.12 4.99 O2 Sat. (%) 100.00 99.35 101.4 101.5 101.2 99.25 93.76 90.23 pH 8.09 8.09 8.08 8.12 8.08 8.10 8.11 8.08 64 EVOMED - draft Final Report - During 1948 Belloc reported on the relationship between fish production and human population by region (Tab. 2.2.2.7). Tab. 2.2.2.7 - The relationship between fish production and the population by region in Greece during 1938 (Belloc, 1948). Region Central Greece & Evoia Peloponese Epirus Macedonia Thrace Thessaly Cyclades Aegean Islands Ionian Islands Crete Dodecanese Production (Kg) 5,599,512 2,392,456 379,464 7,550,749 1,473,772 2,615,775 395,400 1,768,115 416,508 624,376 396,300 Population 2,032,618 1,173,541 367,695 1,725,891 354,816 577,247 131,654 311,751 223,432 442,339 137,162 Kg of fish/inhabitant 2.75 2.04 1.03 4.37 4.15 4.53 3.00 5.67 1.86 1.41 2.88 According to Belloc (1948) the number of trawlers in Greece during 1938 was 40 in the port of Salonica, 11 in Kavalla, 4 in Alexandroupolis, 35 in Patras, 30 in Corfu, 3 in Kalamata, 3 in Kalymnos, 35 in Piraeus, 30 in Chalkida, 20 in Volos, 20 in Mytilene, 15 in Chios and 4 in Paros. In addition the number of seine boats during the same year was 397 (Belloc, 1948). 65 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.6 - Trawler of the early 20th century. Fig. 2.2.2.7 - Trawler of the late 20th century. 66 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.8 - Purse seiners of the early 20th century. Fig. 2.2.2.9 - Purse seiner net of the early 20th century. 67 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.10 - Dragnet boat of the early 20th century. According to Ananiadis (1948) during 1946 the north Greek fish production reached 9,500 tones and included 43 commonly fished species (Atherina hepsetus, Galeus vulgaris, Solea vulgaris, Box vulgaris, Lichia amia, Julis julis, Trachinus draco, Mugil cephalus, Thynnus brachypterus, Gobius auratus, Labrax lupus, Sphyraena spet, Pagrus vulgaris, Thynnus thunnina, Oblata melanura, Conger vulgaris, Torpedo vulgaris, Merluccius merluccius, Mulus barbatus, Pagellus mormyrous, Sciaena Aquila, Xiphias gladius, Pelamys sarda, Serranus scriba, Raja flosiada, Epinephelus, Blennius, Sargus rondeletti, Clupea sardine, Trachurus, Raja asterias, Scorpaena scrofa, Scomber scomber, Scyllium, Muraena helena, Sargus salvani, Dentex macrophthalmus, Serranus cabrilla, Engraulis encrasicholus, Anguilla vulgaris, Dactylopterus volitans). 68 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.11 - Trawler of the first half of the 20th century. Fishing in Greece during 1944-1945 was executed with a primeval manner resulting in low fish production that reached annually approximately 12,000 tones corresponding to 4,5 grams per person and sufficient for only 16 meals annually (Ananiadis, 1948). During 1945 in north Greece between 7,600 and 8,000 individuals were occupied in the fisheries sector of which 170 were owners of fishing vessels, 19 tenants of fish farms and lakes, 4,830 coastal fishermen and the remaining permanent or part time workers. During the same year 7,300 individuals occupied in the fisheries sector were heads of families and 35,000 were the members of the families (Ananiadis, 1948). During 1945-1946 the fishing fleet numbered 1,641 vessels (Fig. 2.2.2.12) of which only 172 were engine driven (Ananiadis, 1948). The most important fishing ports of north Greece (Macedonia and Thraca) where the annual landings exceeded the 100 tones during 1945 are shown in Tab. 2.2.2.8. 69 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.12 - Greek fishing port, Nea Michaniona (in the vicinity of Thessaloniki) during the early 1900s (photo courtesy of PEPMA: Panhellenic Union of Middle Range Fisheries Shipowners, N. Michaniona, Thessaloniki). Tab. 2.2.2.8 - Annual production of the most important fishing ports of north Greece (Macedonia and Thraci) with annual production reaching over 100 tones (Ananiadis, 1948). Fishing Port Annual landings (kg) Thessalonika Nea Krini Epanomi Moydania Methoni Ag. Vasilios Besikia Nea Michaniona Kavala Keramoti Eleftheroupolis Dimenaria (Thasos Island) Alexandroupolis Makri Samothraki Porto Lagos Doirani Ostrovo Kastoria Aminteon Prespa 4,907,000 320,000 107,000 290,000 102,000 320,000 250,000 160,000 1,100,000 320,000 107,000 180,000 450,000 100,000 110,000 650,000 160,000 120,000 230,000 103,000 107,000 70 EVOMED - draft Final Report - The fluctuation of monthly landings in Thessaloniki area during 1946 is shown in Fig. 2.2.2.13. 900 800 700 )s 600 e n o T( 500 t h gi 400 e W 300 200 100 0 Fig. 2.2.2.13 - Monthly landings oscillation in Thessaloniki area during 1946 (Ananiadis, 1948). A number of demersal species (especially their juveniles and younger specimens) were caught with beach seines that were used on a fairly extensive line along the Greek coasts, especially in the gulfs. It was estimated that during 1948 the number of beach seines in use in Greek waters amounted to 1450 (Laskaridis, 1949). The beach seine was of a net 200-280 fathoms long consisting of two wings and a bag in the middle. The mesh was 30 mm at the end of the wings and was progressively reduced towards the bag, the mesh of which towards the end being in some cases as small as 6 to 8 mm. Beach seine boats were either oar or motor driven. A percentage of 60% of the total workforce occupied in coastal fisheries was totally or partially involved in beach seine fishing during 1948 (about 6000 individuals) (Laskaridis, 1949). The number of species caught by the beach seine exceeded 25, only a few of these formed the main catch. The catch composition depended on the nature of the bottom. The average composition of the catches on a sandy bottom or a bottom covered with Zostera, and a muddy bottom in the Saronicos gulf is presented in Tab. 2.2.2.9. The composition of the catches for each bottom type was more or less uniform during the entire summer period and between different parts of the Greek coast. 71 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.9 - Average catch composition of a beach seine in 1948 in Saronicos gulf on a sandy bottom or a bottom coverd with Zostera and on muddy bottom (Laskaridis, 1949). Sandy Bottom Muddy Bottom Species caught Catch percentage Species caught Catch percentage Maena smaris 74.7 Maena smaris 4.8 Box boops Box boops Mullus barbatus 8.7 Mullus barbatus 26 Mullus surmuletus Pagellus erythrinus 2.4 Pagellus erythrinus 3.8 Trachurus trachurus 3.2 Trachurus trachurus 2.3 Clupeids 3.9 Clupeids 52 Miscellaneous 7.1 Miscellaneous 11.1 Restriction measures were implemented during 1940 banning the use of beach seines for a period of 4 months between the 1st of June and the 1st of October. In reality the measures were not applied even though the ban was reduced to a 3 month period between 1st of June and 1st of September during 1946 mainly due to low food supplies available requiring the increase of catch production. Vidalis (1950) reported the annual landings for Bogue (Boops boops) for the years 1928-1932, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939 (Tab. 2.2.2.10). 548,547 507,553 653,820 826,988 921,067 268 1,838 2,007 421 388 164 461 W. Thrace 64 101 73 Epirus 103 Macedonia 5,408 4,878 2,862 3,560 3,705 1,628 1,687 Peloponnese 568 735 765 1,257 399 205 282 Crete Evvoia Enclosed Waters 4,266 5,633 4,274 2,412 2,237 538 128 83 218 428 6 Aegean 242,045 600,836 830,319 1,119,217 805,600 Thessaly 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 Open Water Year Tab. 2.2.2.10 - Annual landings for Bogue (Boops boops) for the years 1928-1932, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939 in open and enclosed waters (Vidali, 1950). Total Parts of enclosed waters 8 701 118 During 20th and 21st of September 1950 the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted 4 experimental hauls with the Institute’s research vessel “Alkyoni” (Fig. 2.2.2.14) south of Evoia and between the island of Andros and Kea (Tzia). The trawling depths for the first 3 hauls were between 220-280 meters, whereas for the fourth haul depth was between 220-330 meters (Alieftiko deltio 5). 72 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.14 - The research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1949. Fig. 2.2.2.15 - Lifting one of the hauls on the deck of the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1950. 73 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.16 - The catch from one haul on the deck of the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1950. Tab. 2.2.2.11 - Position of the start and end for each of the four hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Andros, Giouron and Keas. Hauls Start End 37° 45,5’ N 37° 45’ N 1 24° 43, 4’ E 24° 35, 2’ E 37° 45, 4’ N 37° 42, 4’ N 2 24° 44, 3’ E 24° 35, 6’ E 37° 41’ N 37° 45, 4’ N 3 24° 36, 3’ E 24° 42, 2’ E 37° 47, 7’ N 37° 48, 1’ N 4 24° 45, 7’ E 24° 36, 7’ E Each haul lasted for 2 hours and for the first 3 hauls the production averaged 47 kg per hour of trawling, whereas production of the fourth haul was 291 kg per hour of trawling. Discards weighted on average 250 kg and the majority of each catch included the species Trachurus trachurus and Merluccius merluccius. The fourth haul had the following proportion of species: 72% Trachurus trachurus 23% Merluccius merluccius, 5% misc. The mean total length of Trachurus trachurus was 20 cm and the mean total length of Merluccius merluccius was 37 cm. The first 3 hauls had proportionally lower Trachurus trachurus percentage and the misc. percentage larger and up to 40% of the haul. 74 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.17 - Map of the area and the path for each of the 4 hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1950. Between March and October of 1950 the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted 5 experimental hauls with the Institute’s research vessel “Alkyoni” (Fig. 2.2.2.16) between Syros island, Kithnos island and Serifos Island. The trawling depths were between 240-275 meters (Alieftiko deltio 7). Tab. 2.2.2.12 - Position of the start, change of direction and end for each of the five hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Syros, Kithnos and Serifos. Hauls 1 2 3 4 5 Start 37° 20, 9’ N 24° 34, 4’ E 37° 28’ N 24° 31, 6’ E 37° 31, 4’ N 24° 44, 6’ E 37° 23, 6’ N 24° 42, 9’ E 37° 28, 5’ N 24° 39’ E End 37° 27, 3’ N 24° 34, 4’ E 37° 23, 6’ N 24° 37, 7’ E 37° 23, 4’ N 24° 43, 6’ E 37° 29, 7’ N 24° 40, 9’ E 37° 23’ N 24° 44, 3’ E 75 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Different catch compositions were observed due to different gears used. All hauls were rich in yield but when the “American net” was used the haul was constituted mainly by skates, Caranx sp., Scorpaena sp., Merliccius merluccius, Trigla sp. When the “Greek net” was used instead, Trachurus sp. Constituted 80% of the haul. In between Kithnos island and Syros Island the percentage of Merluccius merluccius was the highest in the haul. The species Trachurus sp. Is highly abundant in all this region and in the north part the fish seems to have smaller size whereas in the south the fish sizes are larger. Fig. 2.2.2.18 - Map of the area and the path for each of the 5 hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1950. Between March and October of 1950 the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted two experimental hauls in depth between 240 and 400 meters in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Keas, Makronisou and Ag. Georgiou. (Alieftiko deltio 8). 76 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.13 - Position of the start, change of direction and end for each of the two hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Keas, Makronisou and Ag. Georgiou. Hauls Start End 37° 29’ N 37° 28, 3’ N 1 24° 14, 6’ E 24° 5, 3’ E 37° 37’ N 37° 31, 1’ N 2 24° 12, 6’ E 24° 10, 2’ E The first haul lasted for 2 hours in depth between 380 and 400 meters and the vessel’s speed was 3.5 nautical miles/h. The yield of the first haul comprised of 130 kg Merluccius merluccius, 40 kg Trachurus sp., 13 kg Trigla sp. and Scorpaena sp., 26 kg Loligo sp., and Illex sp., 26 kg discards and 770 kg Micromesistius poutassou. The average yield was 116 kg per hour of trawling (excluding the species Micromesistius poutassou). The second haul lasted for 2 hours in depth between 240 and 330 meters and the vessel’s speed was 3.5 nautical miles/h. The yield of the second haul comprised of 320kg Trachurus sp., 130 kg Illex sp., 26 kg Trigla sp., 13 kg Galeorhinus galeus, 26 kg skates, Caranx sp., Lophius piscatorius, Scorpaena sp., and other miscellaneous species. Fig. 2.2.2.19 - In the first haul the most abundant species were Merluccius merluccius and Micromesistius poutassou. 77 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.20 - Map of the area and the path of hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1950. During 1951 the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted 5 experimental hauls in depth of about 400 meters in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Milos, Sifnos and Serifos (Alieftiko deltio 11) in the area between the islands of Milos, Sifnos and Serifos. The average yield from all 5 hauls for a 3 hour haul are shown in Tab. 2.2.2.14. Tab. 2.2.2.14 - Average yield for a 3 hour haul from a total of 5 hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Milos, Sifnos and Serifos. Species caught Merluccius merluccius Micromesistius poutassou Caranx sp.- Lophius piscatorius Galeorhinus galeus Loligo sp. - Illex sp. Scorpaena sp. - Trigla sp. Nephrops norvegicus Total Weight (kg) 58 103 32 18 13 10 5 239 78 EVOMED - draft Final Report - The mean total length of the species Merliccius merluccius out of 500 fish measured was 22 cm. Fig. 2.2.2.21 - Lifting one haul on the deck of the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1951. During 1951 the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted 8 experimental hauls in depth of about 280 meters (Alieftiko deltio 11) in the area between the islands of Sifnos, Kimolos, Folegandris, Ios and Antiparos. The average yield from all hauls for a 3 hour haul are shown in Tab. 2.2.2.15. Tab. 2.2.2.15 - Average yield for a 3 hour haul from a total of 8 hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Sifnos, Kimolos, Folegandris, Ios and Antiparos. Species caught Weight (kg) Trachurus sp. 115 Merluccius merluccius 3 Scorpaena sp. - Trigla sp. 5 Zeus faber 4 Caranx sp 19 Loligo sp. - Illex sp. 10 Total 156 79 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.22 - Map of the area and the path for each of the hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in 1951. Between June and August of 1952 the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted two experimental hauls (3a, 3b) in depth between 240 and 400 meters in the Aegean sea, offshore Chios island (Alieftiko deltio 16). The average yield from both hauls for a 2 hour haul are shown in Tab. 2.2.2.16. Tab. 2.2.2.16 - Average yield for a 3 hour haul from a total of 8 hauls conducted by the research vessel “Alkyoni” of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy in the Aegean sea, in the area between the islands of Sifnos, Kimolos, Folegandris, Ios and Antiparos. Species caught Weight (kg) Merluccius merluccius 58 Micromesistius poutassou 77 Caranx sp - Galeorhinus galeus 51 Miscellaneous 38 Total 224 During August 1952 western of the island of Hios the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy deployed 3 longlines using Illex sp. as bait and the yield was 115 kg Polyprion americanus (12 – 30 kg each) and 77 kg Pagrus pagrus (1.9 – 7.5 kg each). 80 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.23 - Polyprion americanus fished with longlines offshore Hios Island by the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy. 81 EVOMED - draft Final Report - During November 1952 offshore Lesvos island the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted several experimental hauls one of which lasted 4 hours in depth of about 360 meters in the Aegean sea, offshore Chios island (Alieftiko deltio 16). The yield of this haul was high compared to previous hauls conducted by the Institute in the entire Aegean sea, and included 77 kg Merluccius merluccius, 230 kg Micromesistius poutassou, 51 kg shrimps, 38 kg Nephrops norvegicus and 40 kg miscellaneous species (including Illex sp., lophius piscatorius and Squalus acanthias). During November 1952 offshore Samos island the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute of Athens Academy conducted 3 experimental hauls the first of which lasted 2 hours in depth between 330 and 365 meters (Alieftiko deltio 16). The haul was comprised of 36 kg Merluccius merluccius, 26 kg Mullus barbatus, 77 kg Trachurus sp., 2 kg Trygla sp., and 30 kg miscellaneous species. The second haul offshore Samos island lasted 2 hours in depth of 365 meters (Alieftiko deltio 16). The haul was comprised of 77 kg Merluccius merluccius, 192 kg Micromesistius poutassou, 51 kg Illex sp., 38 kg Nephrops norvegicus and 26 kg miscellaneous species. The third haul offshore Samos island lasted 2 hours in depth of 450 meters (Alieftiko deltio 16). The haul was comprised of 32 kg Merluccius merluccius, 90 kg Micromesistius poutassou, 38 kg Pagellus bogaraveo, 19 kg Illex sp. and 38 kg Nephrops norvegicus. Rigopoulos (1973) during 1968 conducted 22 trawls a total of 76 hours experimental trawling using a small trawler (14,5 meters long 75 HP engine output) on the fishing grounds of north Evvoikos gulf (Fig. 2.2.2.25). Fig. 2.2.2.25 - The trawler used for experimental trawling (Rigopoulos, 1973). 82 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.26 - Ready to release the door (Rigopoulos, 1973). Fig. 2.2.2.27 - Deploying the net (Rigopoulos, 1973). 83 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.28 - Bringing the haul on deck (Rigopoulos, 1973). In total 49 species were caught using nets with mesh sizes 14 mm and 20 mm during night and day trawling accordingly. The trawling time, depth, total catch weight, commercial species weight and discards weight for each trawl are presented in Tab. 2.2.2.17. Tab. 2.2.2.17 - Trawling time (hours), depth (meters), total catch weight (kg), commercial species weight (kg) and discards weight (kg) for each trawl conducted during 1968 on the fishing grounds of north Evvoikos gulf (Rigopoulos, 1973). Trawling Time (hours) 4 4 5 4.5 3.5 1.4 1.2 1 4 5 3 6 1 2 5 1 5 5 6 3 3 2 Depth (m) 82-142 70-318 50-85 60-200 50-150 60-274 18-27 33 64-92 73-82 110 90 54-60 33-36 40 30 128-139 82-92 82-92 82-92 82-92 31 Total Catch (kg) 90 157 80 85 80 30 25 180 135 Commercial (kg) 55 107 46 51 40 7 13 150 120 180 90 105 150 150 150 30 120 240 (120 Nephrops) 180 150 150 90 Discards (kg) 35 50 34 34 40 23 (20 Macrurus) 12 90 30 84 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Oikonomidis (1976) reported on the presence of Panturichthys fowleri for the second time in the Mediterranean Sea. Syngnathus tenuirostris, Deltentosteus colonianus, Lesueurigobius friesii, Pomatoschistus knerii, Blennius basilicus and Symphurus nigrescens were also reported for the first time in Greek waters. In 1978 Tsimenidis et al published information on the sun-pelagic zone of Saronikos gulf after a twoyear investigation between December 1975 and December 1977 where trawl hauls were made seasonally. According to the study Saronikos gulf was divided into two ecological sub-divisions based on depth (Fig. 2.2.2.29). The highest species diversity was found in the sub-division of 200-250 m inhabited by most of the species found in Saronikos gulf while the sub-division with depths 400-420 m was characterized by the dominance of Macrouridae. In total 62 species represented 52 genera and 32 families were collected (Tab. 2.2.2.18). The distribution by depth and regional extent as well as the abundance of the various species of the sub-pelagic zone in Saronikos gulf seemed to be quite similar to that in western Mediterranean in addition differences observed between Saronikos gulf and eastern Mediterranean and mostly due to lack of information from eastern Mediterranean. ! "# ! $ %&' 85 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.18 - Species found in the sub-pelagic zone of Saronikos gulf (Tsimedinids et al., 1978). Species Scyliorhinus canicula Galeus megastomus Etmopterus spinax Raja clavata Raja Naevus Raja miraletus Raja montagui Dasyatis pastinaca Chimaera monstrosa Argentina sphyraena Glossanodon leioglossus Lampanyctus crocodilus Hygophum benoiti Chlorophthalmus agassizi Conger conger Trispoterus minutus capelanus Micromesistius poutassou Gadiculus arhenteus argenteus Phycis blennoides Molva elongata Antonogadus megalokynodon Gadella maraldi Merluccius merluccius Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus Hymenocephallus italicus Nezumia sclerorhynchus Macrorhamphosus scolopax Macrorhamphosus gracilis Hoplostethus mediterraneus Zeus faber Capros aper Serranus hepatus Serranus cabrilla Pagellus acarne Pagellus bogaraveo Dentex macrophthalmus Cepola rubescens Trachurus trachurus Trachurus mediterraneus Caranx rhonchus Uranoscopus scaber Callionymus maculatus Callionymus phaeton Blennius ocellaris Lepidopus caudatus Centrolophus niger Helicolemus dactylopterus Bellottia apoda Trigla lyra Trigloporus lastoviza Lepidotrigla cavillone Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei Eutrigla gurnardus Peristedion cataphractum Lepidorhombus bosci Citarus linguatula Arnoglossus laterna Microchirus variegatus Monochirus hispidus Symphurus nigrescens Lophius budegassa Lophius piscatorius 200-250 m + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 400-420 m + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Saronikos + + + + + + + * + + * + * + + + * + + * * * + + + + + * + * + * * * * * * * * * * + * + * * + * + * + * + * + + * * * + + * Aegean sea + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + E. Mediterr. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + * Indicating first record of the species. Papaconstantinou and Tsimenidis (1979) identified 33 fish species from north and west coasts of the Aegean Sea, many of which considered as rare were found in large quantities. Bellottia apoda was found for the third time in the Mediterranean Sea, Glossanodon leioglossus, Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei, Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and Phrynorhombus regius were recorded for the first time in the eastern Mediterranean. Chauliodus sloani, Macroramphosus gracilis, Ophichthus rufus, Epigonus denticulatus were recorded for the first time in the Aegean Sea. 86 EVOMED - draft Final Report - According to Economidis and Daoulas (1981) in the north Aegean sea the following scorpion fishes were present: Helicolenus dactylopterus, Scorpaena porcus, S. scrofa, S. notata, S. elongata. In the south Aegean sea (Rhodos) Scorpaena maderensis was recorded for the first time. Scorpaena elongata was also noted for the first time not only in the Aegean sea, but also in the eastern Mediterranean sea. A total of 88 species of fish, mostly demersal, have been identified from Pagassitikos gulf during a research program from 1976 to 1977 (Tab. 2.2.2.19) None of these species were endemic in the gulf. Pagassitikos gulf has been divided in three fish faunistic sections, the western, eastern and southern (close to the channel) according to the presence and the quantitative composition of certain families of fish or isolated species. Considering the relationship of the fish fauna between Pagassitikos gulf and its adjacent region, there is a certain similarity with that of the central part of the Aegean sea and the W. Mediterranean. Though it is not influenced significantly from the E. Mediterranean and the Black Sea, it seems that it constitutes a boundary for some species of the foregoing regions. Tab. 2.2.2.19 - List of the fish species sampled in Pagassitikos gulf (central Greece) between April 1976 and August 1977 (Papaconstantinou and Tsimenidis, 1981). Fish Species Scylliorhinus canicula Mustelus mustelus Oxynotus centrina Torpedo marmorata Raja asterias Raja clavata Dasyatis pstinaca Sardina pilchardus Engraulis engrasicholus Argenitina sphyraena Conger conger Echelus myrus Syngnathus tenuirostris Macrorhmphosus scolopax Micromesistius poutassou Trisopterous minutes capelanus Molva elongate Gaidropsarus megalokynodon Merluccius merluccius Phycis blennoides Carpos aper Serranus scriba Serranus cabrilla Serranus hepatus Dicentrarchus labrax Cepola rubescens Trachurus trachurus Trachurus mediterraneous Sciaena umbra Mullus surmuletus Mullus barbatus Dentex dentex Dentex macropthalmus Diplodus annularis Diplodus sargus Diplodus vulgaris Lithognathus mormyrous Pagellus acarne Pagellus erythrinus Puntazzo puntazzo Sparus auratus Oblada melanura Boops boops Spondyliosoma cantharus Sarpa salpa First Record * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fish Species Spicara maena Spicara flexuosa Spicara smaris Chromis chromis Labrus turdus Symphodus cinereus Coris julis Trachinus draco Uranoscopus scaber Scomber scombrus Scomber japonicus colias Lepidopus caudatus Gobius niger Deltentosteus quadrimculatus Callionymus lyra Callionymus maculates Blennius ocellaris Ophidion barbatum Carapus acus Mugil Mugil cephalus Atherina boyeri Scorpaena porcus Scorpaena notata Trigla lyra Trigla lucerna Trigloporus lastoviza Aspitrigla cuculus Eutrigla gurnardus Lepidotrigla cavillone Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei Peristedion cataphractum Citarus linguatula Arnoglossus laterna Arnoglossus thori Lepidorhombus boscii Monochirus hispidus Solea lutea Solea vulgaris Solea variegate Solea ocellata Symphurus nigrescens Lophius budegassa Lophius piscatorius First Record * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 87 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Papaconstantinou (1985) reported on the exclusive presence of several benthopelagic species in Korinthiakos gulf and the Ionian Sea after conducting 10 seasonal trawls between 1983 and 1986 (Tab. 2.2.2.20). Tab. 2.2.2.20 - Exclusive presense of benthopelagic spacies in Korinthiakos gulf and the Ionian Sea (Papaconstantinou, 1985). Korinthiakos Gulf Maurolicus muelleri Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus Micromesistius poutasou Diplecogaster bimaculata bimaculata Ionian Sea Squalus blainvillei Raja oxyrinchus Synodus saurus Chlorophthalmus agassizi Gadella maraldi Hymenocephalus italicus Hoplostethus mediterraneus Callanthias ruber Dentex macrophthalmus Pagellus bogaraveo Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei A total of 104 fish taxa, mostly demersal, were been identified from Korinthiakos, Patraikos gulf and Ionian sea during a fisheries research program which took place from June to December 1983 (Papaconstantinou, 1984). None of these taxa were endemic. Substantial differences in the species frequency of occurrence were found between the three areas attributed to various factors as depth, sediments, salinity, coastal and sea bed morphology, over fishing status and presence of industrial units along the coast. Korinthiakos gulf was characterised by a great number of bathypelagic taxa, due to its depth, while Patraikos could be considered as a nursery ground for a lot of taxa, especially off the coastline of Sterea Hellas. The absence of hake in the Korinthiakos gulf was attributed to the small area of the continental shelf limiting the few biotopes where young hake live. Ionian sea was divided in two faunistic regions on the basis of the presence of certain fish families isolated taxa, the bathymetry and the ecological conditions of the region. The CPUE of 13 non-commerical fish species (Trachurus trachurus, Argentina sphyraena, Capros aper, Chlorophtalmus agassizi, Gadiculus argenteus argenteus, Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus, Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei, Lepidotrigla cavillone, Trisopterus minutes capelanus, Diplodus annularis, Pagellus acarne, Serranus hepatus, Spicara smaris) was estimated by Papakonstantinou et al. (1985) from samples collected during seasonal cruises between June 1983 and April 1985 in the Patraikos, Korinthiakos gulfs and the Ionian sea (Fig. 2.2.2.30). 88 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Patraikos gulf Korinthiakos gulf Ionian sea 250 CPUE (kg/h) 200 150 100 50 0 June 83 September 83 December 83 March 84 June 84 Sptember 84 December 84 April 85 Fig. 2.2.2.30 - CPUE of 13 non-commerical fish species from samples collected during seasonal cruises between June 1983 and April 1985 in Patraikos and Korinthiakos gulfs and the Ionian sea (Papakonstantinou et al., 1985). Papaconstantinou and Tortonese (1980) on the basis of fish distribution indicated a difference in the fish fauna between the north and south parts of the Aegean Sea without accurately defining the boundary line. With the opening of Suez Canal in 1869, two markedly different zoogeographica areas were joined; the subtropical Mediterranean Sea and the tropical Red Sea. The term "Lessepsian migration" characterizes the phenomenon of unidirectional and successful biotic advance from the Red Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean, whilst "Lessepsian migrants" are Red Sea species that have passed through the Suez Canal and settled in the Eastern Mediterranean. The number of fish Lessepsian migrants colonizing the E. Mediterranean increases continuously. At least 11 species have reached the Aegean islands (Dodecaneses, Cyclades) by following the Asiatic coasts (Sargocentron ruber, Siganus rivulatus, Siganus luridus, Sphaeroides spadieus, Stephanolepis diasporos, Upeneus moluccensis, Leiognathus klunzingeri, Saurida undosquamis, Pempheris vanicolensis, Hemiramphus far, Paraxocoetus mento). The spreading of the Lessepsian migrants in the Aegean sea and the presence of some fish species of Black Sea origin contributes to the division of the Aegean in two zoogeographical zones, south and north of the line connecting the islands of Eubia and Psara. The area to the south of the line, with Cyclades and Crete, holds mainly warm-water fauna, while the area to the north includes some colder water fish species (Papaconstantinou, 1987). The CPUE of 15 commerical fish species (Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Pagellus erythrinous, Trachurus trachurus, Micromesistious poutassou, Pagellus acarne, Trisopterus minutes capellanus, Spicara smaris, Spicara flexuosa, Diplodus annularis, Lophius budegassa, Trigla, sp., Zeus faber, Pagellus bogaraveo, Sparus aurata) and their percentage of the total catch was estimated from Stergiou and Papakonstantinou (1987) from samples collected during seasonal cruises between June 1984 and April 1985 in the Patraikos, Korinthiakos gulfs and the Ionian sea (Figs 2.2.2.31-32). 89 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Patraikos gulf Korinthiakos gulf Ionian sea 80 70 CPUE (kg/h) 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 June 84 September 84 December 84 April 85 Fig. 2.2.2.31 - CPUE of 15 commerical fish species from samples collected during seasonal cruises between June 1984 and April 1985 in Patraikos and Korinthiakos gulfs and the Ionian Sea (Stergiou and Papakonstantinou, 1987). Patraikos gulf Korinthiakos gulf Ionian sea 120 % Commercial Species 100 80 60 40 20 0 June 84 September 84 December 84 April 85 Fig. 2.2.2.32 - Percentage of the total catch that included commercial species from samples collected during seasonal cruises between June 1984 and April 1985 in Patraikos and Korinthiakos gulfs and the Ionian Sea (Stergiou and Papakonstantinou, 1987). The same authors calculated the mean CPUE and its proportion at different depth zones (Tab. 2.2.2.21). 90 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.21 - Mean CPUE of 15 commerical fish species and its proportion at different depth zones from samples collected during seasonal cruises between June 1984 and April 1985 in the Patraikos, Korinthiakos gulfs and the Ionian sea (Stergiou and Papakonstantinou, 1987). Depth zone Korinthiakos Gulf Ionian Sea CPUE (kg/h) % CPUE (kg/h) % 85 21 31 14 0-75 65 16 26 12 75-150 177 43 880 41 150-250 80 20 70 33 >250 Patraikos Gulf CPUE (kg/h) % 40 19 0-50 68 31 50-100 110 50 >100 During 1988 Papaconstantinou published a list of Greek marine fish species. In total 447 were identified, representing 129 families. This number was substantially lower than that of 569 reported for the Mediterranean Sea. The ichthyofauna of Greek waters was predominantly of Atlanto-Mediterranean character and 283 of the reported species belonged to this category. There were 21 cosmopolitan, species, 44 of world wide distribution known in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific 86 endemic in the Mediterranean sea and 77 in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. At least 13 Lessepsian immigrant species constituted part of the Greek fish marine fauna at that time. Papaconstantinou (1990) reported the presence of 140 species belonging to 61 families and 94 genera collected during a two year investigation (1986-1988) in the gulfs of Pagassitikos, Euvoikos and Petali. The fish fauna was predominately Atlanto-Mediterranean (111 species). However, the distribution pattern showed some differences, according to which the Atlanto-Mediterranean fish could be grouped into three categories: (a) Boreal, (b)Tropical Atlantic or Mauretanian and (c) AmphiAtlantic. The second category was more numerous. Few of the species caught were endemic to the Mediterranean and were not found in the Atlantic Ocean. The area was also inhabited by a number of cosmopolitan fish, while no Lessepsian immigrants were collected. The fish fauna did not exhibit Black Sea elements and the recorded fish species from the studied subareas did not show any substantial differences. In 1991 Tsimenidis et al.published information on the abundance of demersal fish on the shelf of Crete collected through a 3-year bottom trawl survey carried out at fixed sampling stations. Three major station-groups were delimited by the nature of the substrate, two of the identified substrate zones were situated on the continental shelf while the beginning of the third zone coincided with the start of the continental slope. Depth was the most important variable in discriminating between the identified groups. The most important species in discriminating among station-groups were Capros aper, Gadiculus argenteus argenteus, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus surmuletus and Spicara flexuosa. Few species pairs had significant associations which in most cases seemed to be related to the reproductive migration of these species. The authors indicated a pronounced change with the substrate and by extension with depth of the ichthyofaunal composition on the Cretan shelf. It was also suggested the possibility of a a particular relationship between the fish communities of the two zones of the continental shelf. Stergiou (1993) studied the seasonality and trends of commercial fish catches in Greece beyween 1964 and 1987. The Greek monthly catches of bogue, chub mackerel, hake (together with blue whiting), and Mullidae all exhibited an increasing trend during 1964-1987 whereas those of red pandora exhibited a declining trend and those of sardine did not display any significant trend during the 91 EVOMED - draft Final Report - same period. The monthly catches of the pelagic species bogue (Boops boops), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) were consistently higher in April-October. This is related to the seasonal offshore and inshore migrations of small pelagic fishes and the nature of the Greek purse-seine fishery. The catches of hake (Merluccius merluccius), Mullidae (Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus) and red Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) (demersal species) were consistently lower in June-September, when trawling is prohibited in Greek waters. The percentages of mean annual catches by major fishing gear of species examined between 1982 and 1987 are shown in Tab. 2.2.2.22. Tab. 2.2.2.22 - Percentage of mean annual catches by major fishing gear of species examined (Hake: Merluccius merluccius, Blue whiting: Micromesistius poutassou, Red Pandora: Pagellus erythrinus, Mulidae: Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus, Bogue: Boops boops, Chub mackerel: Scomber japonicus, Sardine: Sardina pilchardus) between 1982 and 1987 (Stergiou, 1993). Species Trawlers Purse-Seiners Seiners Other Coastal boats 74.7 3.1 2.5 19.7 Hake and blue whiting 52.9 1.9 5.4 39.8 Red Pandora 52.0 2.8 6.7 38.5 Mullidae 11.2 52.7 10.3 25.8 Bogue 3.5 82.5 3.8 10.2 Chub mackerel 1.7 77.9 9.0 11.4 Sardine Zenetou (1997) conducted a study in a network of stations scattered in two regions of the South Evvoikos Gulf: in the main South Evvoikos, where trawling is banned, and in the normally fished Petalioi Gulf. The study showed distinct groups corresponding to the fished domain and the unfished one indicating the type of sediment and depth as the major factors controlling the benthic community structure and composition over the study area furthermore anthropogenic interventions such as trawling play also a significant role in determining the benthic community structure. Similary Simboura et al. (1998) studied benthic species distribution in two neighbouring gulfs with and without access to bottom trawling. Species diversity and abundance was higher in the trawled area compared with the untrawled area, a fact which was attributed to the difference in sediment characteristics between the two areas. A degree of disturbance detected in the trawled area was evidenced by an increase in the number of polychaetes at the expense of other benthic groups and an abundance of some opportunistic species. Vassilopoulou et al. (1998) studied the demersal community patterns in two areas of the Aegean sea. Trawl samples were collected during two periods, autumn 1995 and winter 1996. A total of 2574 specimens per trawling hour (Nh-1) composed of 105 species were collected in the Cyclades, while in the Saronikos the 1633 specimens (Nh-1) that were captured composed of 40 species. Species richness and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index were higher values in the Cyclades. Higher diversity was recorded in the winter and in the 150-300 m depth zone in both locations. The affinity of sampling sites, based on the composition of fish catches, was strongly influenced by depth. Trachurus spp (T. picturatus in shallow waters in autumn, and T. trachurus in deeper locations in autumn and in all depths in winter) dominated the Saronikos catches and contributed mainly to the dissimilarity that was displayed between the composition of the demersal fish communities. Kallaniotis et al., (2000) studied the demersal fish and megafaunal assemblages on the Cretan continental shelf and slope. The demersal fish and megafaunal assemblages in the area of Heraklion Bay, Crete, were sampled during four research cruises from September 1994 to September 1995 using a stratified trawl survey at depths ranging from 50 to 1000 m. The sampling at 1000 m depth was the deepest ever made in Greek waters, using a bottom otter trawl. Species density and biomass were found 92 EVOMED - draft Final Report - to vary between depths and seasons, with higher values occurring at the shallow stations (Tab. 2.2.2.23). Species distribution and communities are also reported. A total of 127 species of osteichthyes, chondrichthyes, crustaceans, and cephalopods were recorded. Four of the deep-water species were recorded for the first time in Greek waters. These species were all from depths greater than.500 m, and included a cephalopod (Histioteuthis bonnellii) and three crustaceans (Aristeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antenatus, Plesionika gigliolii). Three osteichthyes species were also recorded for the first time in the Aegean Sea (Bathypterois mediterraneus, Facciolella physonema, Notacanthus bonapartei). Tab. 2.2.2.23 - Density (ind/km2) and species diversity indices (species number S, Shannon–Wiener H, Eveness E) for each season and depth zone (Kallaniotis et al., 2000). Labropoulou and Papacostantinou (2000) reported on the spatial structure and seasonal changes of the demersal fish assemblages on the continental shelf (100–200 m) and upper slope (200–500 m) in the North Aegean Sea (Northern Aegean and Thracian Seas, northeastern Mediterranean, Greece). Seasonal experimental trawl surveys, carried out from summer 1990 to autumn 1993, and provided a total of 151 demersal fish species. Analysis of 259 bottom trawls showed the existence of four groups associated with the continental shelf and the upper slope; each group was dominated by a small number of species. The bathymetric distribution of the species, established using measures of the centre of gravity and habitat width, revealed that most of the species had a wide distributional range within the study area, although a few were restricted to the greatest depths. Density, biomass, species richness and diversity decreased significantly with depth, and were also indicative of distinctive characteristics between these fish assemblages. Mean fish weight exhibited two different trends: a bigger-deeper phenomenon at the continental shelf and a smaller-deeper phenomenon at the upper slope. The variability in assemblage structure was determined mainly by depth and, to a lesser extent, by season and geographical location. For some species, results suggest a pattern of gradual species replacement along the depth gradient coupled with ontogenetic habitat shifts. 93 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.24 - Ecological parameters by depth zone and summary of statistical tests for the demersal fish community in the North Aegean Sea (Labropoulou and Papacostantinou, 2000). Machias et al. (2001) examined discard practices of trawlers in three main areas of the Aegean and western Ionian Seas. Data were collected on board commercial vessels during a 3-year period (1995–1998) of seasonal (Autumn, Winter, Spring) monitoring in order to estimate discarded quantities. About 44% (range 39–49%) of the total catch was discarded at sea (13 500–22 000 t annually); the main component of the discards was fish. Hauls were classified into two main clusters using the discard quantities of fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. The two clusters were discriminated by depth. Two sets of equations that classify new hauls in the clusters, using depths and duration of the hauls or marketable yield, were applied. The discarded yield of fish showed more precise relationships with their marketable yield in each season than did crustaceans and cephalopods. The latter were strongly affected by the specific characteristic of the different areas and clusters. Maravelias et al. (2007) examined the spatial distribution patterns of John Dory (Zeus faber) in relation to sea bottom temperature, bathymetry, locational covariates and season. Data were collected during a 2-year period (1996-1997) of seasonal sampling using demersal trawl surveys in the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean). The sea bottom temperature had a significant effect on seasonal John Dory abundance both directly, as a main effect, and indirectly, through its interactive effect with the water depth. John Dory seasonal abundance was consistently greater in the shallower regions of the area having warmer bottom waters. Results indicated a distinct southward shift as progressing through the year, with peak abundances being observed in gradually lower latitudes of shallow areas as seasons evolved. John Dory appeared to avoid the deeper waters regardless of their bottom temperature and geographic position. The present results also suggested a seasonal pattern of habitat associations for specific locations characterised by weak hydrographic activity. John Dory preferences for certain water depth zones, sea bottom temperatures and substrate types are hypothesized to modulate the seasonal spatial aggregation of the species to preferred grounds. 94 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Fig. 2.2.2.33 - Contour plots of density distribution (numbers per hour trawling) for Lophius budegassa (a), Merluccius merluccius (b) and Mullus barbatus (c) (Maravelias and Papaconstantinou, 2006). Maravelias et al. (2007a) examined the seasonal distribution of Morocco dentex (Dentex maroccanus) in relation to ocean environmental conditions in the NE Mediterranean Sea. Data were collected during a 2-yr period (1996–1997) of quasi-synoptic seasonal sampling using demersal trawl surveys. The study revealed evidence for the existence of environmental relationships and temporal 95 EVOMED - draft Final Report - habitat associations of Morocco dentex. There was a strong consistency in the pattern and significance of the observed relationships across all seasons. The present results provided direct support for a preferential seasonal aggregation of Morocco dentex in specific geographic and bathymetric regions of the study area. In all four seasons, these favourable regions were found to be relatively stable and distinct, had the highest catch-per-unit-effort index, and were located over shallower grounds (50–70 m) having bottom salinity around 39.1. The current findings also indicated that, throughout the year, the species was confined below the thermocline and avoided the deeper waters (>80 m). Morocco dentex ecological preferences for certain sea-bottom salinities, water depth zones and hydrographic regimes were suggested to contribute to the processes governing differential settlement to preferred grounds. The Hellenic Seas are characterized by a thermophilic tropical and subtropical fish fauna originating from two different sources: i) relicts of the Tethys Sea and ii) immigrants of various origin arriving at different times from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Overall, Papaconstantinou (1988) reported a total of 447 species, belonging to 129 families of which 283 species (63.3%) of Atlanto- Mediterranean origin, 21 (4.7%) are cosmopolitan species, 44 (9.8%) have a worldwide distribution and 86 (19.2%) are endemic in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the latest update the total number of recorded species is 467 (IMAS-Fish, 2007). The Aegean Sea is separated into two sub-areas in respect of the distribution of fish fauna: (i) the northern Aegean Sea, roughly a rectangular basin, separated from the South Aegean by the archipelago of the Kyklades islands, characterized by cold water fauna, and (ii) the southern Aegean Sea characterized by more thermophilic species, as well as Lessepsian immigrants from the Red Sea (Papaconstantinou, 1988). Demersal fishes of the continental shelf and slope are subjected to an intensive fishery carried out by trawl, gill net and long line fleets. Long lines are selective gears targeting a small number of species, while gill nets and bottom trawls exploit a multispecies fishery targeting several demersal species. The results of experimental trawl fishing in the Hellenic Seas indicated that commercially important demersal and inshore stocks suffer from growth over-fishing. As a result, commercial catches consist mainly of young immature individuals and a variety of noncommercial species that are discarded (Stergiou et al., 1997). Demersal and inshore assemblages from experimental and commercial sampling conducted during 1983-1994 in different fishing sub-areas, have been presented by Stergiou et al. (1997) and Papaconstantinou & Faruggio (2000). The available data on the number of species and diversity patterns of soft bottom demersal fish assemblages in Hellenic waters are derived from experimental trawl surveys conducted on a seasonal basis (Tab. 2.2.2.25). Tab 2.2.2.25 - Summary table of the experimental hauls carried out by programme in the Hellenic Seas by HCMR (Labropoulou, 2007). 96 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Catch statistics on demersal and small pelagic species show a negative trend in the 1990s for the most important species or groups of species. Daily catch rates per vessel have fallen dramatically when compared to catch rates of some decades, despite the fact that the power and efficiency of fishing vessels has increased recently. Also the catch quality, both in terms of species and size composition, has changed over time. Long-life span species and bigger sized specimens have practically disappeared from demersal catches in several areas and fisheries. Fishing activity in Hellas was conducted down to 500 m depth until a few years ago (Fig. 2.2.2.34). The main reason for not exploiting lower depths is the fact that the fishermen believe that fishing at such depths is not profitable or less profitable than fishing in shallow depths. Moreover, the fishermen are not willing to invest in the possibility to develop fisheries in deep waters because of the increased risk of losing the fishing gears and active fishing time (Papaconstantinou, 2002). The extension of fishing in deeper waters is a new perspective for the development of Hellenic fisheries. This possibility has been the focus of interest of the scientific community and the European Commission has provided either scientific or structural support for deep-water fisheries. At the same time, problems related to the deep-water ecosystems became the focus of the scientific community considering that the knowledge of their organisation and function is essential for their rational fishery management. The most important deep-water stocks and in particular within the 500- 1 000 m stratum, which are exploited in Hellas, are two species of red shrimps (Aristeus antennatus and Aristeomorpha foliacea) which are fished with trawls as well as the black-spot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo), the hake (Merluccius merluccius) and the wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) which are fished mainly with long lines. The main geographic area suitable for red shrimps is the continental shelf of the Ionian Sea (Petrakis and Papaconstantinou, 1997) while the significance of the Aegean Sea in this respect is much lower and focused in a few areas of the north Aegean and southeast Aegean. Fig. 2.2.2.34 - Fishing Areas in Hellenic seas (Source: Greek Centre for Excellence for Fisheries and Coastal Zone Management, Data Centre, HCMR). 97 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Marine fisheries landings (in metric tons, t) of the Hellenic fleet have been recorded and published in yearly bulletins since January 1964 by the National Statistical Service of Hellas (NSSG Bulletins, 1964-2003). Landings’ data are collected directly from a sample of fishing vessels that are surveyed by local customs authorities. NSSG data are the best figures available with respect to length of time, spatial and temporal resolution, consistency, degree of subjectivity, and statistical design of data collection (Anonymous, 1994; Stergiou et al., 1997; Papaconstantinou, 2002). The total annual landings, fishing effort (in terms of number of boats, HP, GRT and number of fishers) and the wholesale value (in euros, €) of the total landings for 1964-2003 are shown in Tab. 2.2.2.26. Total landings increased from 53 598 t, in 1964, to 85 155 t, in 2003, reaching a peak in 1994 (181 675 t). The total fishing effort increased from 6 800 boats, 118 833 HP and 21 206 GRT, in 1964, to 6 996 boats, 609 904 HP and 34 703 GRT, in 2003 (Tab. 2.2.2.26). The wholesale value of the landings also increased from 1.55 million €, in 1964, to 257.9 million €, in 2003 (Tab. 2.2.2.26). 98 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.26 - Total annual fishing effort (engine horsepower, HP; boat tonnage, GRT; number of boats; number of fishers), marine fisheries landings (in metric tons) and wholesale value of landings (in million €), Hellenic waters 1964-2003. The mean and standard deviation (SD) are also given. 99 EVOMED - draft Final Report - According to the NSSG official landings (NSSG 1964-2003), two pelagic species European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) dominated the Greek fisheries landings, comprising 14.6% and 14.1% of the mean total, respectively, over the 1964-2003 period. In addition, seven other taxa (bogue, Boops boops; Mediterranean horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus; picarel, Spicara smaris; Atlantic mackerel, Scomber japonicus; European hake, Merluccius merluccius; grey mullets, Mugilidae; red mullet, Mullus barbatus) each contributed from 2.1% to 7%. Hellenic marine fisheries are characterized by a large number of species caught per main fishing gear (i.e. multi-species fisheries) as well as by a variety of species that are exploited concurrently by different fishing gears (i.e. multi-gear fisheries). Fig. 2.2.2.35 - Species’ composition of the mean fisheries landings for each fishery operating in Hellenic Seas, 1964-2003: (a) trawlers, (b) purse-seiners, (c) beach-seiners and (d) ‘other coastal boats’. The demersal species represent about 40% of the total Hellenic fisheries production, which corresponds to about 48 000 t/year and they include a large number of high value species (Tab. 2.2.2.27). In general, the fishing impact on the demersal resources of Hellenic waters could be considered strong for depths shallower than 500 m. There was a considerable increase in the fishing effort from 1964 to 1989. However, changes in the fishing intensity have occurred from 1993 to 2004, when there was a gradual decrease in the number of boats operating in Hellenic waters, because fishers were subsidized for laying up their boats. Furthermore, the EC regulation 1626/94 imposed an increase of the cod-end mesh opening from 28 mm to 40 mm and a more distant operation of the trawlers from the coast, in areas where the depth was less than 50 m. 100 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.2.2.27 - Mean total yearly production and percentage of production per gear for the most important demersal species, as well as percentage of mean yearly production of each species to the mean total yearly fisheries production (data of Hellenic National Statistical Service). Conclusions Early references of ichthyological reseach in Hellenic waters date back to the late 19th -beginning 20th century. These were mainly of taxonomic/systematic nature. Various scientists made up inventories and listings of marine and freshwater species found in Hellas. Published works and thus information were sporadic with chronological gaps between them, e.g between 1920-40 and 1950-70. The National Statistical Services of Greece (NSSG) provided the first systematic records not only of fish species caught in Hellenic waters but also of quantities by area/gear/month/vessel type. This fisheries database date back to 1964. An improved scientific reasearch started after the mid-late 60’s and was conducted by the scientific staff of the Institute of Oceanography that was later named National Centre for Marine Research (NCMR) and recently Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). Experimental trawl surveys were carried out in most parts of the Aegean and Ionian Seas by NCMR. Fisheries biology and stock assessment studies of demersal species were mainly carried out around 90’s, in late 20th century not only by HCMR but also from the Institute of Fisheries Research in Kavala and various Universities (e.g. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Crete, University of Patras, University of Athens). The main drawback for fisheries reasearch in Hellas has been the scarcity of routine scientific surveys to assess and monitor the aquatic living resources (incl. demersal fish species) in a systematic way. This is mainly due to a lack of political will to fund fisheries research. 101 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2.3 - Deliverable 2.3 – Electronic database of collated data 2.3.1 – Methods According to the objectives of this WP, an extensive bibliographic research was carried out, following different approaches, in order to collect the highest amount of relevant and available information. A considerable quantity of material was collected with the majority of it being in paper format. Digitalizing this information has been an extremely time consuming activity and given the amount of time required and the time constraints of EVOMED project (i.e. 12 months project) it was decided to digitalise a representative sample of the collected literature. The digitalization of the whole bibliography related to Mediterranean fisheries could have constituted a stand alone project by itself. Nevertheless it was decided to exploit most of this precious information and to extend to the last months of the project to the data entering activity. Therefore, in this report the following material is delivered: - the structure of the files prepared to store the database; - the completed database files. According to their content, different files have been prepared for each Mediterranean country where useful data have been found; - The database files are provided as an annex to this report in a separate cd-rom. From the large amount of material available, in the selection of data to enter in the EVOMED database preference has been given to the information concerning the case studies areas. With regard to data on landings and catches per unit of effort (both commercial and experimental), we selected the most important demersal species (e.g. European hake, red mullets, Norway lobster, red and pink shrimps) and several Elasmobranch species, which can be a suitable indicator of eventual changes in resource abundance over time (e.g. Squalus acanthias, Mustelus mustelus, Squatina squatina, etc.). However, given the different and sparse sources of data, some differences between and within each data set were evident. As concerns data proceeding from Mediterranean trawl surveys performed in the frameword of MEDITS EU project, a specific formal request to the National focal points for this project was sent (see. Annex 2.1), in order to have the authorization to use these data for the purposes of the EVOMED project. In the following paragraphs a brief description of the structure of each file of database, by country, as well as of their content is given. All the information stored in the database in the first phase of the project that was delivered in the revised version of the interim report has been presented accordingly to the 1st reporting period. All the remaining information that was stored in the database in the second phase of the project is available in this Final Report and is presented accordingly to the 2nd reporting period. In addition, for the most relevant databases at country level, a brief comment is provided on their limitations and/or gaps/problems. 102 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2.3.2 – Results 2.3.2.1 - Description of the structure of the database In the framework of the EVOMED project, a database has been constructed to support the storage of the collected data, the data mining and the statistical analysis. Five different modules have been agreed during the kick-off meeting and designed to cover the total of data that will be recorded. A common codification system has been adopted taking into the consideration the international and DCR coding systems. Tabs. 2.3.2.1-5 report the scheme of the EVOMED database. Tab. 2.3.2.1 - Fleet database structure. Field name Description Country Country code Year Year GSA According to DCR (GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs)) Region Region Maritime_District Maritime district Port Port Fleet_Type According to DCR (Fishing activity (metier) by Region) Power_Type Type of power N_Vessels Number of vessels HP Total HP KW Total KW GRT Total GRT GT Total GT N_Crew Crew number Mean_Vessel_Len Mean vessel length Source Source of information N_Fishing_Days Number of fishing days N_Fishing_hours Number of fishing hours per day 103 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.3.2.2. - Landings database structure. Field name Description Country Country code Year Year GSA According to DCR (GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs)) Region Region Maritime_District Maritime District Port Port name Species Modified MEDITS species list Landings Total landings (in tons) Source Source of information Fleet_type According to DCR (Fishing activity (metier) by Region) Power_type Type of Power Flag Flag If the total landings comes from demersal species (DM), demersal+small (DM-SM), pelagic+others (PE-OT) 2.3.2.3 - Commercial CPUE database structure. Field name Description Country Country code Year Year GSA According to DCR (GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs)) Region Region Maritime_District Maritime District Port Port name Type of Fleet According to DCR (Fishing activity (metier) by Region) Power_Type Type of power Vessel_Len_Cat Vessel length category according to DCR Species Modified MEDITS species list LPUE_indx LPUE index LPUE_unit Unit of LPUE LPUE LPUE value Source Source of information 104 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2.3.2.4. - Trawl survey CPUE database structure. Country Country code Year Year Season Season GSA According to DCR (GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs)) Region Region Survey_Name Survey name Mean_Kg_Effort Mean Kg/Effort (Area or Time) Mean_Number_Effort Mean Number/Effort (Area or Time) Effort_Unit Effort Unit (km2 or hour) Species Species scientific name Species Code Modified MEDITS species list Source Source of information Latitude Latitude (y1) Longitude Longitude (x1) Latitude Latitude (y2) Longitude Longitude (y2) Min_Depth Minimum depth (m) Max_Depth Maximum depth (m) Cod_End Mesh_Size Cod-end mesh size Net_Hor_Open Net horizontal opening (m) Vessel_Name Experimental vessel name Number_Tows Number of tows 105 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2.3.2.5 - Environmental database structure. Field name Country Description Year Year Season Season Month Month GSA According to DCR (GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs)) Region Region Source Source of information Parameter Type of parameter Value Value Depth_Range Depth range Unit Unit Country code 106 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2.3.2.2 - Description of the content of each file 1) FleetDB Greece 1st Reporting Period The Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Ministry of Mercantile Shipping and the National Statistical Service of Greece contribute in the collection of data that concerns the Greek professional fishing fleet. A Census of the Greek Fishing Fleet performed in September 1988 to record the number and the technical characteristics of the fishing vessels by registration port. Since then the records are being updated every 3 months. The following main parameters are included in the fleet registry: vessel identification, status, modification date, registration port, license(s), overall length, tonnage, engine power, construction year, construction place. The row data are stored in electronic database and have been classified by length category, age, gear and GFCM GSAs. Moreover the National Statistical Service of Greece keeps a register of fishing vessels with engine power greater than 20-horse power from 1964 onwards. The above data sets were compiled, checked and hosted in the integrated fisheries databank of the Institute of Marine Biological Resources of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). The work of storing these data in the database is still in progress, due to the amount of data it will be finished. At present only a fraction of these data has been entered in the database. 2nd Reporting Period During the 2nd reporting period the task of storing these data in the database has been completed. Tab. 2.3.2.6 shows the characteristics of the Greek data stored in the database. Tab. 2.3.2.6 – Characteristics of the Greek fleet data stored in the database. Period Geographical scale Gear Type of information Number of vessels, HP, GRT 1964-2008 All Greece, total 1991-2008 All Greece, by registration port By category of fishing vessels (Overseas, Open sea fishery, Inshore fisheries) All Length, GT, kW, main & secondary gear (by vessel) Source National Statistical Service of Greece Ministry of Mercantile Shipping The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been emerged while undertaking this task: - the absence of reports on fishing effort throughout the investigated period - the individual’s vessel length has been recorded only recently, i.e. 1991 (Community Fleet register) - the records of engine’s horse power are suffering from misreporting (under-declared) 107 EVOMED - draft Final Report - - prior to 1991 there have been cases where vessels have been erroneously classified as purse seiners and trawlers simultaneously in general, data prior to 1991 are considered less reliable compared with the most recent ones. Spain 1st Reporting Period The dabase mostly includes data for Catalonia. Tab. 2.3.2.7 and Fig. 2.3.2.1 show the characteristics of the data stored in the datatbase. Practically all vessels were powered by oar/sail before 1930, being the first introduction of diesel engine in a single bottom trawler in 1924. Due to the gap in the data between 1920 and 1940, all bottom trawlers using diesel engines after 1940 have been considered. Tab. 2.3.2.7 – Characteristics of the Spanish fleet data stored in the database. Period Geographical scale Gear 1907-1918 by port (incomplete) by gear 1932-1933 by Maritime District no 1934 by Maritime District no 1941, 1943-1959, 1963 by Maritime District (incomplete) no 1950 by Maritime District Yes 1904, 1908-1914, 1920, 1924, 1933 1960-1962 1966-1984 by port by Maritime District by Maritime District 1976-1990 by port 1957-1965 1992-2000 by port (Barcelona and Blanes only) 1936;1960;1963; by port (Sant Carles Type of information number of vessels, crew size number of vessels number of vessels, GRT, crew size number of vessels, GRT, crew size number of vessels, GRT bottom pair trawl number of vessels no number of vessels, GRT, crew size no number of vessels, GRT, crew size OTB number of vessels, HP, GRT, crew size yes number of vessels, HP, GRT, crew size yes number of Source HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 Bas et al. (1955) HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 Lleonart 1990 Bas et al. (2003) Millan (1986) 108 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Period Geographical scale 1970; 1975-1985 de la Ràpita only) 1920 by port 1980-1984 Gear NO OTB 1978 by port OTB 1995 by port OTB 1971-1980 1987-2007 2001-2008 by region by region by port OTB OTB OTB Type of information vessels, HP, GRT, N of fishing days, N of fishing hours per day number of vessels, GRT, crew size number of vessels, HP number of vessels, HP, GRT number of vessels, HP, GRT number of vessels, HP, GRT number of vessels, HP, GRT number of vessels, HP, GRT, GT, N of fishing days, N of fishing hours per day Source Lleo_1920 CGPM5 CGPM7 Irasola1996 Martin1991 own_data owndata 109 EVOMED - draft Final Report - * Between 1957 and 1988 data only for 3 ports: Barcelona, Blanes and Sant Carles de la Ràpita Fig. 2.3.2.1 – Characteristics of the Spanish fleet data stored in the database. 2nd Reporting Period No further data were added to the fleet database in the 2nd reporting period 110 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Italy 1st Reporting Period For what concerns Italian fishing fleets, the following sources of data were used: - the official statistics provided by the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (ISTAT), for years 1953-1992 - the official statistics provided by IREPA onlus for years 2000-2007 - the archives at national level provided by UNIMAR, for years 2000-2007. All these data were in paper format (published as annual reports); the selected information was digitalized and manually stored in the database. The database contains: - time series (1953-2007) of number of vessels, total gross registered tonnage (GRT), for each year and maritime compartment, for the trawling fleet. - time series (1953-2007) of number of vessels, total gross registered tonnage (GRT), total horse power, total crew number for each year , for all motorized fishing fleet, at national level; more scattered data for number of fishing days, mean GT and mean KW were provided; other scattered data were provide for the sail fishing fleet. Additionally, more detailed fleet data were collected by CIBM and UNIMAR during the EVOMED project in the Maritime Offices of the Coast Guard concerning the three most important fishing harbors of Tuscany (GSA9). These data were collected from the official archives, and then they were manually entered in the database. - for the port of Livorno (GSA9, Tuscany): time series (1910-2008) of number of vessels, total gross registered tonnage, total horse power, for each year for all the fishing vessels, according to two size categories, >12 m overall length or ≤ 12 m overall length. - for the port of Viareggio (GSA9, Tuscany): time series (1918-2008) of number of vessels, total gross registered tonnage, total horse power, for each year for all the fishing vessels, according to two size categories, >12 m overall length or ≤ 12 m overall length. - for the port of Porto Santo Stefano (GSA9, Tuscany): time series (1951-2008) of number of vessels, total gross registered tonnage, total horse power, for each year for all the fishing vessels, according to two size categories, >12 m overall length or ≤ 12 m overall length. - for the port of Civitavecchia (GSA9, Latium): time series (1930-2008) of number of vessels, total gross registered tonnage, total horse power, for each year for all the fishing vessels, according to two size categories, >12 m overall length or ≤ 12 m overall length. Finally, statistics on the number of vessels and the crew number present in each Tuscany port in 1850, according to different fishing category were collected from the publication of Zuccagni Orlandini (1850) published by the ancient Granducato di Toscana. Tab. 2.3.2.8 shows the characteristics of the data stored in the datatbase. Figures 2.3.2.2. and 2.3.2.3 show the characteristics of the temporal span of the fleet data, for Italy and GSA9 respectively, archived in the EVOMED database, for different indicators and resolutions. 111 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.3.2.8 – Characteristics of the Italian fleet data stored in the database. Period Geographical scale Gear 1953-1992 All Italy, by Maritime trawling district 2000-2007 All Italy, by Maritime trawling district 1850 Tuscany, by port no 1952-2000 All Italy no 2001-2007 All Italy no 1940-2009 Livorno (Tuscany, GSA9) Vessels ≥ 12 m OL 1910-2009 Livorno (Tuscany, GSA9) Vessels < 12 m OL 1918-2009 Viareggio (Tuscany, GSA9) Vessels ≥ 12 m OL 1940-2009 Viareggio (Tuscany, GSA9) Vessels < 12 m OL 1978-2009 Porto Santo Stefano (Tuscany, GSA9) Vessels ≥ 12 m OL 1951-2009 Porto Santo Stefano (Tuscany, GSA9) Vessels < 12 m OL 1977-2008 Civitavecchia (Latium, GSA9) Vessels ≥ 12 m OL 1930-2008 Civitavecchia (Latium, GSA9) Vessels < 12 m OL Type of information number of vessels, total GRT number of vessels, total GRT number of vessels, crew size number of vessels, total GRT, total Hp, crew size, number of vessels, total GRT, total Hp, total kW, crew size, number of fishing days number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW number of vessels, total GRT, total kW Source Istat Unimar Zuccagni Orlandini Istat Irepa CIBM CIBM CIBM CIBM CIBM CIBM CIBM CIBM 112 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Span of fleet data set in Italy Number of vessels Total HP Total KW Total GRT Total GT Crew Number Total Fishing Days 2004 2000 1996 1992 1988 1984 1980 1976 1972 1968 1964 1960 1956 1952 Number of vessels Total GRT year Fig. 2.3.2.2 – Characteristics of the Italian fleet data stored in the database. Span of fleet data in GSA9 Livorno, vessels >=12 m OL Livorno, vessels < 12 m OL Viareggio, vessels >=12 m OL Viareggio, vessels < 12 m OL Porto Santo Stefano, vessels >=12 m OL Porto Santo Stefano, vessels < 12 m OL Civitavecchia, vessels >=12 m OL Civitavecchia, vessels < 12 m OL 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 19 94 19 99 20 04 20 09 19 04 19 09 19 14 19 19 19 24 19 29 19 34 19 39 19 44 1949 18 50 All Tuscany ports year Fig. 2.3.2.3 – Characteristics of the GSA 9 fleet data stored in the database. 113 EVOMED - draft Final Report - The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been detected: - The scarcity of information on fishing effort throughout the investigated period; only very recent data (total fishing days) are available and only at aggregated level (the national fleet). - The absence of data, at maritime compartment level, for the period 1992-2000. - It was impossible to extract information on engine power at single gear (e.g. trawling) level. - Data were gathered from the series is made by the ISTAT until 1992, and by IREPA and UNIMAR since 2000. Due to the different vessel classification criterion adopted by the two typologies of statistic, some differences have been detected. ISTAT data classified as trawlers only the vessels which exclusively used this gear, while the more recent series include in the trawler category also the vessels with polyvalent licence. The result is that the number of trawlers provided for the more recent period is generally slightly overestimated (from 15 to 20%) than in the older one. 114 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2) LandingsDB Greece 1st Reporting Period In Greece, there are three different sources of information concerning landings data: a) Institute of Marine Biological Resources of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research: Landings data (on a monthly basis) are collected from a network of 30 landing spots. The system is based on a random sampling of all fleet segments and all gears. Available data 2003-2008. b) National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG) uses a nationwide data collection system and in cooperation with the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Directorate of Fisheries), the port authorities, the local custom offices and correspondents in municipalities and communes, keeps records of the fisheries production. The data on production refer to the annual catch per species and fishing tool, catch by species and month of fishing, and catch by species and fishing area. This information is derived by grouping together the replies on statistical questionnaires, completed each month by the captains of vessels, with engine power higher than or equal to 20 HP. Available data 1964-2008. c) National Company for the Development of Fisheries (ETANAL) is a non-profit organization under state control. ETANAL keeps records of the registered landings and the quantities of fisheries products auctioned in these ports. The data available refer to the monthly and annual quantities and selling prices of products transported through the fishing ports. The collection network now covers 11 fishing ports, located in the following towns: Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Patra, Chalkis, Chios, Alexandroupolis, Messologi, Kalymnos, Chania and Preveza. Available data 1990-2008. The work of storing these data in the database is still in progress, due to the amount of data it will be finished. At present only a fraction of these data has been entered in the database. Tab. 2.3.2.9 shows the characteristics of the data stored in the datatbase. 115 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.3.2.9 – Characteristics of the Greek landing data stored in the database. Period 1964-2008 Geographical scale All Greece, total Gear Trawl nets, Ring nets, seine nets, others (static nets, longlines) All together, by month Species M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias 1964-2008 All Greece, total 1964-2008 All Greece, by fishing areas (16 fishing areas) 1964-2008 All Greece, by fishing areas (16 fishing areas) 1990-2008 All Greece, by auction port All together 2003-2008 All Greece, by landings port According to DCR Source NSSG Trawl nets, Ring nets, seine nets, others (static nets, longlines) All together All together NSSG M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias According to DCR NSSG NSSG National Company for the Development of Fisheries (ETANAL) Institute of Marine Biological Resources of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research: Landings data 116 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2nd Reporting Period The task of storing these data in the database has now been completed. The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been emerged while undertaking this task: - the available landings’ data were collected from a sample of fishing vessels that were surveyed by local customs authorities. - there are no detailed fisheries data prior to 1964 - a part of the data collected from 1964 to 1981 were categorized by major species groups and not by species. Therefore there are different species lists for recording before and after 1981. - information for Selachii was recorded only after 1982 - detailed information by species was recorded after 1990. Spain 1st Reporting Period The data entered in the database mostly concerns the Catalonia fleet. Tab. 2.3.2.10 and Fig. 2.3.2.2.4 show the characteristics of the data stored in the datatbase. Tab. 2.3.2.10 – Characteristics of the Spanish landing data stored in the database. Period 1907-1914 Geographical scale by port (incomplete) by province (incomplete) Cartagena Maritime Region (slightly larger than GSA06) by port (incomplete) Gear by gear Species total catch no total catch no total catch no HMAP Dataset10 no 1933 by province (incomplete) and Tramontana Region Tramontana Region sardine, tuna and “almeja fina” (Tapes decussata) by species no by species 1934 by province no no 1940-1961 by port (total catch all gears) and Tramontana Region (catch by species no not by port, only by region HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 1915 1916-1918 1920 1929 Source HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 HMAP Dataset10 117 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 1946-1950 1962-1969 1962-1974 1957-1965 1960-1965; 1970; 19751985 1970-1984 1988-2008 all gears) by Maritime District, total catch by port (incomplete) and Tramontana region by Region yes no no by species (20 main species) and total catch no yes by port (Barcelona yes and Blanes only) by port (Sant Carles yes de la Ràpita only) yes by port (incomplete) by port no no yes yes no Bas et al. (1955) HMAP Dataset10 Lleonart (1974) Bas et al. (2003) Millan (1986) HMAP Dataset10 Bas et al. (2003) and own data 118 EVOMED - draft Final Report - * Before 1988 data only for 3 ports: Barcelona, Blanes and Sant Carles de la Ràpita ** Number of species and reliability in their identification varies by time period *** Between 1957 and 1988 catches by gear only for 3 ports: Barcelona, Blanes and Sant Carles de la Ràpita Fig. 2.3.2.4 – Characteristics of the Catalonian landing data stored in the database. 2nd Reporting Period No further data on landings were produced for the 2nd reporting period. 119 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Italy 1st Reporting Period National data Data on commercial landings were collected through the official statistics provided by the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (ISTAT). ISTAT has been collecting fish landing statistics for marine, brackish and freshwater species since 1860. All the paper copies of the ISTAT statistical bulletins have been digitized at the ISTAT library in Rome and data were entered by hand in the database. At present data from 1961 to 2000 were stored in the EVOMED database, being this data series the most consistent and complete. In the first 80 years (18601938), with the exception of small pelagics, tuna, red coral and sponges, most species were not detailed to single species or species group and landings were reported only as total value. In the period 19471954 fish landings statistics are extremely aggregated. From 1953 to 1960 there are detailed species landings for the most important Italian fish markets. From 1961 fish landings are reported at species level for the most commercially relevant species, groped by categories for the other species. Yearly total landings in tons (all gears) for each Italian Region of the GSA 9, 17 and 18 of the following species (or categories) have been entered in the database, for the period 1961-2000: Anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus Sardine, Sardina pilchardus European hake, Merluccius merluccius Red mullets, Mullus spp. Smooth hounds, Mustelus spp. Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus Rays, Raja spp. Deep water pink shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris Northern Adriatic markets The northern Adriatic since the beginning of the XX century has been under the attention of many fisheries researcher that have monitored and collected fish landings time series. D’Ancona has been one of the first scientists to collect landings data from the markets of Trieste, Fiume and Venezia. The more recent data from the Trieste market (from 1955 to 1965) and from Chioggia (from 1945 to 1996) has been respectively collected from the Municipal Archive of Trieste and from the archive of the fish market in Chioggia. As concerns the EVOMED database, at present the following data from Adriatic fish markets were entered: Yearly landings of Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Scyliorhinus spp ) from the market of Chioggia (GSA 17) for the period 1945-1996 Yearly landings of Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Scyliorhinus spp.) from the market of Trieste (GSA 17) for the period 1905-1968. In the following months other official (ISTAT) data prior 1961 will be stored in the database. In addition, historical series of total landings at single port level will be entered for GSA9. Tab. 2.3.2.11 shows the characteristics of the data stored in the datatabase. Fig. 2.3.2.5 reports the characteristics of the temporal span of the Italian landing data archived in the EVOMED database, for different indicators and resolution. The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been emerged while undertaking this task: 120 EVOMED - draft Final Report - - The oldest data (1860-1938), with the exception of small pelagics, tuna, red coral and sponges, were not detailed to single species or species group and landings were reported only as total value. In the period 1947-1954 fish landings statistics are extremely aggregated. Data are not reported by métier or gear level, but grouped for the the fishing vessels - Tab. 2.3.2.11 – Characteristics of the Italian landing data stored in the database. Period 1961-2000 Geographical scale Gear All Italy, by Region No of the GSA 9, 17 and 18 1945-1996 Chioggia fish market (Veneto, GSA17) no 1905-1968 Trieste fish market (Veneto, GSA17) No Species E. encrasicolus S. pilchardus M. merluccius Mullus spp. Mustelus spp. N. norvegicus Raja spp. P. longirostrs M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus Scyliorhinus spp. M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus Scyliorhinus spp Source Istat Chioggia fish market Trieste fishe market Span of landing data in Italy GSA 9 GSA 17 GSA 18 Chioggia market 2002 1996 1990 1984 1978 1972 1966 1960 1954 1948 1942 1936 1930 1924 1918 1912 1906 1900 Trieste market year Fig. 2.3.2.5 – Characteristics of the Italian landing data stored in the database. 121 EVOMED - draft Final Report - OTHER COUNTRIES 1st Reporting Period France Thanks to the collaboration of the Sete IFREMER colleagues, an historical series of landings of the port of Port of Sete (Gulf of Lions, GSA7) was available for the EVOMED project (Tab. 2.3.2.12). Yearly total landings for the period 1969-1997 of the following species were entered in the database: Anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus Sardine, Sardina pilchardus European hake, Merluccius merluccius Red mullets, Mullus spp. Common pandora, Pagellus erythrinus Sharks, Squalus spp. Rays, Raja spp. Cat sharks, Scyliorhinus spp. Tab. 2.3.2.12 – Characteristics of the French landing data stored in the database. Period 1969-2007 Geographical scale Fleet of Sete (Gulf of Lions, GSA7) Gear No Species E. encrasicolus S. pilchardus M. merluccius Mullus spp. P. erythrinus Squalus spp. Raja spp. Scyliorhinus spp. Source IFREMER Albania According to the publication of Osmani et al. (2003), time series (1960-1992) of total annual landings of European hake and red mullets produced by the Albanian (GSA18) fleet were entered in the database (Tab. 2.3.2.13). Tab. 2.3.2.13 – Characteristics of the Albanian landing data stored in the database. Period 1960-1992 Geographical scale All Albania (GSA18) Gear No Species M. merluccius Mullus spp. Source Osmani et al., 2003 122 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 3) CommercialCPUEDB Greece 1st Reporting Period The characteristics of the Greek CPUE data to be stored in the database are reported in Tab. 2.3.2.14. Two sources of information collect data to estimate commercial CPUE: a) Institute of Marine Biological Resources of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research: The system is based on the sampling of all the fleet segments in 30 landing spots. The sampling data collection started in 1996 and is continuing uninterrupted until now on a monthly basis. The fishing vessels are sampled randomly. All fleet segments and all gears are represented in the sampling. The fishing effort data set in combination with the fleet data are used as the input data for the estimation of a series of parameters such as: Fishing effort as days at sea, fishing effort by engine power, fishing effort by capacity. The development of standard analysis procedures using classical statistical methodologies will provide tools for on-line provision of the information. Available data 2003-2008. b) National Statistical Service of Greece: The collected information can support the annual estimation of LPUE for the whole Greece. Available data 1964-2008. 2nd Reporting Period The work of storing these data in the database has been completed. Tab. 2.3.2.14 – Characteristics of the Greek LPUE stored in the database. Period 1964-2008 Geographical scale All Greece, total Gear trawling Species M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias 1996-2008 All Greece, by GSA trawling According DCR Unit Kg/fishing day to Kg/fishing day Source NSSG Institute of Marine Biological Resources of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research 123 EVOMED - draft Final Report - The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been encountered while undertaking this task: - reliable data cover only the 2003 onwards period; - the NSSG data series do not contain fishing effort information by gear/vessel type/métier; - the NSSG data do not contain information on discard rates; - there are no detailed fisheries data prior to 1964; - A part of the data collected from 1964 to 1981 were categorized by major species groups and not by species (different species lists for recording before and after 1981); - information for Selachii was recorded only after 1982. Spain 1st Reporting Period It was completed in the 2nd reporting period. 2nd Reporting Period Using data from the previous 2 tables for the coincident time spans and using 3 indicators of capacity (NV: number of vessels, HP: engine power, GRT: gross registered tonnage) a data set of commercial landings per unit effort was prepared. The following tables lists the characteristics of this data set: The following figure (Fig. 2.3.2.6) shows the characteristics of the temporal span of the Catalonian landing data archived in the EVOMED database, for different indicators and resolution. * 1957-1988 some ports only (Barcelona, Blanes, Sant Carles de la Ràpita) ** main target demersal species Fig. 2.3.2.6 – Characteristics of the Catalonian LPUE data stored in the database. 124 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Italy 1st Reporting Period Estimations of catch per unit of effort are not directly available in the archives provided by ISTAT at national level. Even though data on landings are available and also sufficiently detailed for a wide time period, data on fishing activity (e.g. number of fishing days) are not present in the official statistics, being not possible to calculate LPUE indices from these data. However, time series of commercial CPUE have been produced by research Institutions according to landing monitoring activities performed in the past twenty years, but sparsely and on an irregular temporal basis. The following data series have been entered in the EVOMED database: - Annual LPUE (kg/fishing day) of the trawl fleets of Porto Santo Stefano and Castiglione della Pescaia (GSA9) produced by CIBM for the he period 1991-2008 for the following species: European hake, Merluccius merluccius Red mullet, Mullus barbatus Skates, Raja spp. Cat sharks, Scyliorhinus spp. Black spot catshark, Galeus melastomus Horned octopus, Eledone cirhosa Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus Deep water pink shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris Red shrimps, Aristaeidae - Annual LPUE (kg/fishing hour) of the trawl fleets of Viareggio (GSA9) produced by ARPAT (Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente Toscana) of Livorno for the period 1991-2008 for the following species: European hake, Merluccius merluccius Red mullet, Mullus barbatus Horned octopus, Eledone cirhhosa 2nd Reporting Period During the activities of WP3, two tally books of two trawling vessels of Porto Santo Stefano were collected; they contain data on landings by fishing trip from 1962 to 1969. On these diaries, information on the total catch and the total incomes for each selling day has been reported, ufortunately without further specifications on the specific composition of the landing. These are landings by fishing trip, it is not possible to know the number of fishing days. At the same time, detailed information on every sort of expenses (e.g. or gasoline, crew salaries, insurance, mainentance of vessel and gear, ice, etc….) was usually reported. The two vessels, “Dandalo” and “Edda”, had similar characteristics (18.2 m overall length, 24.2 Gross Registered Tonnage and 75 horse power the Dandalo; 16.4 m overall length, 19.1 Gross registered Tonnage and 70 horse power the Edda); on this basis it can be assumed that the majority of fishing trips consisted in one day. Fig. 2.3.2.7 shows an example of these tally books. Data from tally books have been stored in the database the database in the second part of the project, as mean kg of total landing per fishing trip per month, for the period 1962-1969. 125 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Proceedings by fishing trip List of expenses Total landings (kg) Incomes (Italian liras) Fig. 2.3.2.7- Example of two pages of one “tally book” (January 1962, f/v “Edda”, Porto Santo Stefano , GSA9). The characteristics of the Italian CPUE data stored in the database are reported in Tab. 2.3.2.15. The following main limitation and/or gap/problem have been detected: the ISTAT data series, at national level, do not contain fishing effort information by gear/vessel type/métier. 126 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.3.2.15 – Characteristics of the Italian CPUE data stored in the database. Period 1991-2008 Geographical scale Porto Santo Stefano fleet (Tuscany, GSA9) Gear trawling 1991-2008 Castiglione della Pescaia fleet (Tuscany, GSA9) trawling 1991-2008 Viareggio fleet (Tuscany, GSA9) trawling 1969 Two trawlers of Porto Santo Stefano (GSA 9) Trawling (tally books) Species M. merluccius M. barbatus Raja spp. Scyliorhinus spp. G. melastomus E. cirhosa N. norvegicus P. longirostris Aristaeidae M. merluccius M. barbatus Raja spp. Scyliorhinus spp. G. melastomus E. cirhosa P. longirostris M. merluccius M. barbatus E. cirhosa Total catch Unit Kg/fishing day Source CIBM Kg/fishing day CIBM Kg/fishing hour ARPAT Kg/fishing trip CIBM 127 EVOMED - draft Final Report - OTHER COUNTRIES France 1st Reporting Period During the visit at the IFREMER Laboratory, data on daily landings (period 1971-1973) by species for several vessels of different size class belonging to the trawl fleet of Sete were collected). These data were processed from paper to digital format. Successively, indices of monthly kg/day/vessel of the following species were calculated and entered in the database. European hake, Merluccius merluccius Red mullets, Mullus spp. Common Pandora, Pagellus erythrynus Common sole, Solea officinalis Cat shark, Scyliorhynus spp. Smoot hounds, Mustelus spp. Rays, Raya spp. Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis Grooved sea squirt, Microcosmus spp. 2nd t Reporting Period Other similar data of French fleets were collected (for the fleet of Port Vendres, for the period 19831985) and they will be entered in the database in the second phase of the project. Tab. 2.3.2.16 resumes the characteristics of the French landing per unit of effort data stored in the database. Tab. 2.3.2.16 – Characteristics of the French CPUE data stored in the database. Period 1971-1973 Geographical scale Sete fleet (Gulf of Lions, GSA7) Gear trawling 1971-1973 Port Vendres (Gulf of Lions, GSA7) trawling Species M. merluccius Mullus spp. P. erythrinus S. officinalis Scyliorhynus spp. Mustelus spp. Raja spp. S. officinalis Microcosmus sp M. merluccius Trachurus trachurus Mullus spp. Solea vulgaris Unit Kg/fishing day Source IFREMER Kg/fishing day IFREMER 128 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Former Jugoslavia Scattered commercial CPUE data for several former Jugoslavian trawl vessels are available for the period 1938-1972 from raport or paper of several Authors: e.g. Zei and Sabbioncello, 1949, Zupanovic, 1953, Sharfe, 1961, Crinkovic, 1970, Juckic, 1971, 1975. These data were digitalised and included in the database in the second part of the project. They concern information on total landing (all species) per fishing day or per fishing hour for different trawlers which worked in the former Jugoslavian waters. For many vessel information on engine power was also provided as well. 129 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 4) Trawl surveys CPUE DB From 1994 the international MEDITS trawl survey is carried out in Mediterranean by all the EU countries and also by several non EU countries. In order to calculate CPUE indices for the most important demersal species, original raw data and the formal authorization (see file in Annex) to use them was requested to the MEDITS national focal point responsibles of Spain, France, Italy and Greece. In this way, it was possible to use MEDITS data for the analyses planned by EVOMED project (in particular for WP5). As concerns the more “historical” trawl surveys, several research surveys were performed in the past in different Mediterranean sectors. The most important were carried out in a large area of the Adriatic Sea (the HVAR expedition, among others), in the gulf of Lions and in Western Mediterranean (e.g. by the French INSTP research vessels President Thissier, Thalassa and Dauphin). Additionally, several other minor trawl surveys were carried out in the past at more small geographical scale. Most of these data were collected, in the framework of the EVOMED project, and found in paper format. To digitalize all these data requires an effort notably higher than the man months offered by the EVOMED project; for this reason it has been necessary to do a selection of data use for this project. Priority was given to the information important for the selected case studies and the most (economically or ecologically) relevant species. In the interim report only a partial data set was delivered; the trawl survey database has notably been improved in the second phase of the project. Greece 1st Reporting Period Historically, the first exploratory trawling survey was conducted on the Greek Seas in the period 19471950 by the Hydrobiological Institute. The objective of the survey was the identification of new trawling grounds in unexploited areas. Until now, the trawling surveys are conducted at specified areas, according to the national priorities for fisheries management. In the course of the surveys, sampling is carried out on a pre-selected sampling stations (stratified depth random sampling), repeated seasonally over the period of the project. In the framework of the program EU/MED/1993, a joint research project named “Biological Sampling in the Mediterranean - MEDITS” has been initiated at the beginning of 1994. The established statistical design is stratified random sampling by depth. The work of storing these data in the database was partially completed, due to the amount of data. 2nd Reporting Period The task of storing these data in the database has been completed. The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been encountered while undertaking this task: - the data source is the HCMR database with various levels of public access;. the data cover the period 1983-2008 only; the fragmented nature of the data in space and time; the catchability of the gear used in MEDITS programme is dissimilar to the that of a 130 EVOMED - draft Final Report - commercial trawl gear;. - the sampling design of the oldest surveys are frequently different among each and also different to the sampling design applied by MEDITS survey; - most programs were annual/bi-annual, no consecutive long-term dataseries or monitoring of the same areas/species. The characteristics of the Greek trawl survey data stored in the database are reported in Tab. 2.3.2.17. Tab. 2.3.2.17 – Characteristics of the Greek trawl survey data stored in the database. Period 1983-1985 Geographical scale Survey Species Ionian Sea, Gulf of Patraikos, Korinthiakos Ionian Sea, Gulf of Patraikos, Korinthiakos M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias 1986-1988 Euboikos and Pagassitikos Gulf 1990-1992 North and NorthWest Aegean Sea Euboikos and Pagassitikos Gulf North and North-West Aegean Sea 1991-1993 Thermaikos Gulf, Toroneos Gulf and Thracian Sea 1995-1996 Cyclades and Dodekanissa 1999-2000 INTERREG GreeceItaly (IONIAN Sea) INTERREG Greece-Italy (IONIAN Sea) 2000-2001 RESHIO ((IONIAN Sea) RESHIO ((IONIAN Sea) 1996-1997 Deep fishery (IONIAN Sea) Deep fishery (IONIAN Sea) 1999 Pagasitikos Gulf Pagasitikos Gulf 1994-2008 The whole area of the Greek territorial waters MEDITS Thermaikos Gulf, Toroneos Gulf and Thracian Sea Cyclades and Dodekanissa Unit Number of specimens and kg per square km Source Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km HCMR Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km HCMR HCMR HCMR HCMR HCMR HCMR HCMR HCMR 131 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Spain 1st Reporting Period Species biomass and density indices were stored in the database for the MEDITS surveys performed in Mediterranean Spanish waters from 1995 to 2008. 2nd Reporting Period Data collected through the experimental survey “Mediterraneo II” (Suau, 1981) carried out in the Catalan Sea (GSA6) with the research vessel “Cornide de Saavedra” in 1977 were collected and digitalized. Species biomass and density indices were stored in the EVOMED database Tab. 2.3.2.18 shows the characteristics of the Spanish trawl survey data stored in the EVOMED database. Tab. 2.3.2.18 – Characteristics of the Spanish trawl survey data stored in the database. Period 1977 1995-2008 Geographical scale GSA 6 GSA 1,2,5,6 Survey Species MEDITERRANEO M. merluccius M. barbatus II MEDITS N. norvegicus R.. clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R.. clavata S. canicula S. acanthias Unit Source Number of specimens and kg per fishing hour Suau, 1981 Number of specimens and kg per square km Italy 1st Reporting Period In the first six months of the project, MEDITS density and biomass (num. of specimens and kg per square km) indices for the GSA9 (period 1994-2009) of the following species were stored in the database, European hake, Merluccius merluccius Red mullet, Mullus barbatus Horned octopus, Eledone cirrhosa Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus Deep water pink shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris 132 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2nd Reporting Period CPUE indices for M. merluccius and M. barbatus from the Matta (1958) and Merlo (1972-74) trawl surveys realized in Tuscany (GSA9) were entered in the database. The two surveys comprised a small number of experimental hauls performed in small areas. The characteristics of the Italian trawl survey data stored in the database are reported in Tabs. 2.3.2.1920. Tab. 2.3.2.19 – Characteristics of the Italian trawl survey data (GSA9) stored in the database. Period 1994-2009 Geographical scale GSA9 Survey MEDITS 1994-2008 GSA9 GRUND 1958 Tuscany (GSA9) Matta 1972-1973 Tuscany (GSA9) Merlo Species M. merluccius M. barbatus E. cirhhosa N. norvegicus P. longirostris M. merluccius M. barbatus E. cirhhosa N. norvegicus P. longirostris M. merluccius M. barbatus M. merluccius M. barbatus Unit Number of specimens and kg per square km Source Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per fishing hour Number of specimens and kg per fishing hour Matta (1958) Merlo (1974) Adriatic sea 1st Reporting Period As previously mentioned, Adriatic sea was one of the most investigated areas by trawl surveys in the past. We consider the data coming from these surveys particularly relevant for the EVOMED purposes. For this reason, a particular effort has been spent to digitalize as much as possible these data and to calculate CPUE indices for the database. Many “old” data from experimaental surveys performed in the GSA17 have been gathered, digitalysed and stored as CPUE indices in the EVOMED database: HVAR (1948-1949), Zupanovic (1957-1959); Juckic (1963-1971); Giannetto (1972). In addition to this information, data from GRUND (years 1994-1995) and MEDITS (years 1995-2005) were entered in the database. 133 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 2st Reporting Period MEDITS density and biomass indices for the GSA18 (period 1994-2008) were entered in the database. Tab. 2.3.2.20 shows the characteristics of trawl survey data stored for Adriatic in the EVOMED database. Tab. 2.3.2.20 – Characteristics of the Adriatic trawl survey data (GSA17 and GSA18) stored in the database. Period 1948-1949 Geographical scale GSA17 Survey Hvar 1957-1959 GSA17 Zupanovic 1963-1971 GSA17 Juckic 1972 GSA17 Giannetto 1994-1995 GSA17 GRUND 1995-2005 GSA17 MEDITS 1994-2008 GSA18 MEDITS Species M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R.. clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus R..clavata S. canicula S. acanthias Unit Number of specimens and kg per square km Source Karlovac (1956) Number of specimens and kg per square km Zupanovic (1961) Number of specimens and kg per square km Jukic (1975) Number of specimens and kg per fishing hour Juckic and Piccinetti (1978) Number of specimens and kg per square km Piccinetti (1995) Number of specimens and kg per square km Number of specimens and kg per square km 134 EVOMED - draft Final Report - The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been encountered while undertaking this task: • • before the GRUND and MEDITS surveys, in the western part of Italy, there are available only two very limited (in space and time) surveys performed off the Tuscany waters. more “historical information” is available for northern and central Adriatic, but the surveys performed before MEDITS are very different in terms of gographical coverage, sampling design and sampling gear. France During the visit to the IFREMER Sete laboratory, data on several historical trawl surveys carried out by INSTPM, the former IFREMER, were collected. Also in this case all the material is in paper. Since it will be impossible to digitalize all of this material, a subset of data was chosen to show an example of the potential of this material. Characteristics of the French trawl survey data stored in the database are reported in Tab. 2.3.2.21. Tab. 2.3.2.21 – Characteristics of the French trawl survey data (GSAs 7 and 8) stored in the database. Period 1958, 1970, 1988 Geographical scale GSA 7 (Gulf of Lions) Survey INSTPM old surveys 1960, 1983 GSA 8 (Corsica) INSTPM old surveys 1994-2008 GSA 7 and 8 MEDITS Species M. merluccius M. barbatus M. mustelus M. asterias S. acanthias S. blainvillei M. merluccius M. barbatus M. mustelus S. squatina S. acanthias R..clavata S. canicula M. merluccius M. barbatus N. norvegicus S. acanthias Unit Number of specimens and kg per square km Source IFREMER Number of specimens and kg per square km IFREMER Number of specimens and kg per square km 135 EVOMED - draft Final Report - The following limitations and/or gaps and/or problems have been encountered while undertaking this task: The MEDITS dataset contained only data from the DCF target species. This aspect has limited the analyses on the faunistic composition composition between the surveys performed before and after the 1990’s Common problems/limitations/gaps to surveyCPUE database files. The following common limitations and/or gaps and/or problems to surveyCPUE datafiles have been encountered in all countries’ surveys and thus are also given here: - the fragmented nature of the data in space and time; the catchability of the gear used in MEDITS programme is dissimilar to the that of a commercial trawl gear; the sampling design of the oldest surveys are frequently different among each and also different to the sampling design applied by MEDITS survey; most programs were annual/bi-annual, no consecutive long-term dataseries or monitoring of the same areas/species; the MEDITS dataset contained only data from the DCF target species. This aspect has limited the analyses on the faunistic composition composition between the surveys performed before and after the 1990’s. 136 EVOMED - draft Final Report - 5) Environmental data 1st Reporting Period Environmental variables play an important role on ecosystem production and may potentially affect the temporal evolution of the abundance of the demersal communities and of the fishery production. Time series of the following environmental factors were selected: the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO), the sea surface temperature (SST, °C), and the wind speed (W, m/s). NAO index is traditionally defined as the normalized pressure difference between a station on the Azores and one on Iceland. An extended version of the index can be derived for the winter half of the year by using a station in the South-western part of the Iberian Peninsula (Hurrell, 1995). Since there is no unique way to define the spatial structure of the NAO, it follows that there is no universally accepted index to describe the temporal evolution of the phenomenon. Most modern NAO indices are derived either from the simple difference in surface pressure anomalies between various northern and southern locations, or from the principal component analysis (PCA) of the leading (usually regional) empirical orthogonal function (EOF) of sea level pressure (SLP). Many examples of the former exist, usually based on instrumental records from individual stations near the NAO centers of action, but sometimes from gridded SLP analyses. A major advantage of most of these indices is their extension back to the mid-19th century or earlier. A disadvantage of station-based indices is that they are fixed in space. Given the movement of the NAO centers of action through the annual cycle, such indices can only adequately capture NAO variability for parts of the year. Moreover, individual station pressures are significantly affected by small-scale and transient meteorological phenomena not related to the NAO and, thus, contain noise. An advantage of the PCA approach is that such indices are more optimal representations of the full NAO spatial pattern; yet, as they are based on gridded SLP data, they can only be computed for parts of the 20th century, depending on the data source. The NAO provides a measure of the strength and position of the track of storms and depressions across the North Atlantic and into Europe, and of the strength of the prevailing westerly winds associated with the storm track. The storm track exhibits variations from one winter to the next in its strength (i.e. number of depressions) and position (i.e. the median route taken by that winter’s storms). A particularly recurrent variation is for the storm track to be either strong with a north-eastward orientation taking depressions into north-west Europe (a high winter NAO) or weaker with an east-west orientation taking depressions into Mediterranean Europe (a low winter NAO) (Osborn, 2006).+ An unique file concerning all Mediterranean was created to store environmental variables. Three different NAO indices were downloaded for the Evomed Project purposes and entered in the database: - The NAO index computed by Hurrell, based on the difference of normalized sea level pressures (SLP) between Ponta Delgada (Azores) and Stykkisholmur, Reykjavik (Iceland). The time series were downloaded from http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/cas/jhurrell/indices.data.html#naostatdjfm. The time series from 1865 to 2003 of mean monthly and annual NAO index are available, as well as the time series of the winter NAO (computed from December to March) from 1864 to 2009. - The NAO calculated from Gibraltar and SW Iceland (Jones et al., 1997), available on the web site http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/data/nao. The time series of mean monthly and annual NAO from 1821 to 2009 were downloaded and entered in the database. - A time series of mean monthly NAO was downloaded from the NOAA web site, http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/index.php. 137 EVOMED - draft Final Report - As concerns sea surface temperature (SST) and wind speed, the data were downloaded from ICOADS (http://icoads.noaa.gov/index.shtml). The period of time from January 1865 to December 2006 is covered by the data available on this web site. A subset of data, according to several Mediterranean locations was downloaded and elaborated by means of the software Panoply, in order to cover most of the Mediterranean GSAs. Values of SST and wind speed from January to December 2007 were downloaded from (http://las.pfeg.noaa.gov/oceanWatch/oceanwatch.php). It was decided to use the scalar component of the wind. However, also the Meridional (v-wind) and the Zonal (u-wind) components are available. In a north/south direction or parallel to lines of longitude the meridional wind (v-wind) is the component of the wind that blows north/south. Positive values refer to winds from the south. In an east/west direction (parallel to lines of latitude) Zonal winds (u-wind) can be easterly or westerly, with positive values being from the west. 2nd Reporting Period In the second phase of the project new data were added to the environmental database of EVOMED: the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) and data series on concentratiojn of Chlorophyll a. WeMOi was recently defined by Martin-Vide and Lopez-Bustins (2006). The WeMO index is defined only within the synoptic framework of the western Mediterranean basin and its vicinities. The two areas identified for the definition of the WeMOi are the Po river plain, in the north of the Italian peninsula, an area with a relatively high barometric variability due to the different influence of the central European anticyclone and the Liguria low; and the Gulf of Cadiz, in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula, often subject to the influence of the Azores anticyclone and, episodically, to the cut off of circumpolar lows or to its own cyclogenesis. The positive phase of the WeMO corresponds to the anticyclone over the Azores enclosing the southwest Iberian quadrant and low-pressures in the Liguria Gulf; and its negative phase coincides with central European anticyclone located north of the Italian peninsula and a low-pressure centre, often cut off from northern latitudes, in the framework of the Iberian south-west. A neutral phase will apply in the case of the low-pressure gradient over the western Mediterranean basin and the surrounding areas, or whenever a north-east advection with the same isobar is established, linking both areas of the dipole. Monthly WEMOi for the period januay 1821-January 2010 were stored in the database. Data on concentration of Chlorophyll a (mg/m3) were downloaded from http://gdata1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/daac-bin/G3/gui.cgi?instance_id=ocean_month. This data consist of Chlorophyll concentrationestimation through satellite acquisition (Ocean Color Radiometry Visualization and Analysis). Data for 24 different Mediterranean sites were soted in the EVOMED database, for the period September 1997 - May 2010. The characteristics of the Environmental data stored in the database are reported in Tab. 2.3.2.22. 138 EVOMED - draft Final Report - Tab. 2.3.2.22 – Characteristics of the Environmental data stored in the database. Period Geographical scale 18652003 18642009 18212009 19502009 18652006 18652006 2007 2007 18212010 All Mediterranean GSas All Mediterranean GSas All Mediterranean GSas All Mediterranean GSas Western Mediterranean Index Source Monthly NAO from Hurrell www.cgd.ucar.edu/cas/jhurrell/indices.data.html#naostatdjfm. Annual NAO from Hurrell Winter NAO from Hurrell Monthly NAO from Jones Monthly NAO from NOAA Monthly Sea Surface Temperature Monthly Wind speed (scalar component) Monthly Sea Surface Temperature Monthly Wind speed (scalar component) Annual WEMOI (Western Mediterranean Oscillation Index) www.cgd.ucar.edu/cas/jhurrell/indices.data.html#naostatdjfm Jones et al., 1997 www.cpc.noaa.gov/index.php. http://icoads.noaa.gov/index.shtml http://icoads.noaa.gov/index.shtml http://las.pfeg.noaa.gov/oceanWatch/oceanwatch.php http://las.pfeg.noaa.gov/oceanWatch/oceanwatch.php http://www.ub.es/gc/English/wemo.htm Monthly WEMOI 19972010 All the mditerranean GSas concentration http://gdata1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/daacof Chlorophyll bin/G3/gui.cgi?instance_id=ocean_month a. 139 EVOMED – draft Final Report - CHAPTER 3 WP3 - Historical fishermen knowledge 140 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.1 - Introduction An important aspect to take into account in the research of historical data is to gather information from old fishermen and fishing captains. Their historical memories on past activities are still vivid and can provide valuable information on decades spent at sea fishing. This approach could substantially contribute to improve the historical picture and understanding of the fisheries and associated fish communities obtained from the other sources. Useful information for a better description of fishing practices, for the reconstruction of the trends of exploited stocks, changes in the species catch composition can be obtained. Even though some discrepancies due to emotionality and affectivity of the past memories can sometimes confound the information, its added value is indubitable to reconstruct a past picture of marine environment. Disqualifying such information as “anecdotal” dismisses important first-hand information. Historical fishermen knowledge will be available for not much longer as the fishing captains that participated to the fishing expansion in the 1950’s are now getting very old. In addition, fishermen’s traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) could have an important role in the management process; this kind of information should constitute a complementary source to get new knowledge in fisheries biology and marine ecology. For these reasons, it was decided to create a specific workpackage (WP3) of EVOMED for the realization of interviews to fishermen by all the partners involved in this project. Particular effort was spent in this activity which, although very time consuming and in spite of the difficulties in extracting quantitative data and standardise them, provided interesting results. In this context, the main objective of WP3 was to gather and summarise information coming from the historic fishermen knowledge, in order to obtain additional data on fishing practices, and species caught in the past decades. The collected information will be used to integrate the picture of the evolution of Mediterranean fisheries in the 20th Century, obtained from fishery dependent and independent sources. 3.2 - Methods In the first months of the project the activities were focused on organizing the work and defining the methodological aspects of this WP. A large part of the first coordination meeting was dedicated to these aspects. A standardised sampling protocol, evaluated also by the social scientist Garcia Allut, was defined during the first months of the project and applied by all the partners. The approach was similar to that adopted in the past in similar studies carried out in other areas (Bergmann et al., 2004; SáenzArroyo et al., 2005), consisting to carry out interviews on a significant sample of fishermen using a pre-defined questionnaire. Other methods, like Delphi method or Estimate-talk-Estimate (ETE), result not adequate to the scope of WP3. They are normally applied when the number of interviewed persons is very low, for example, when there is the necessity to agree on solutions to issues among a group of stakeholders. In order to facilitate the approach to fishermen (older active fishermen and retired fishermen) and to contact the highest number possible of people, several strategies have been followed. First of all, contacts with fishermen and fishermen associations were established in the sites or ports where the EVOMED partners work, in order to inform about the interviews and to spread the word about the upcoming interviews, to gather the highest number possible of fishermen. In many cases, the interviewing process started by first contacting via telephone the single person (if already known) or a responsible of the local Fishermens' Association to obtain names and contact details of retired fishermen (asking specifically for persons involved in trawl fishing and preferably skippers). In several occasions the EVOMED partners had already well-established 141 EVOMED – draft Final Report - relations with fishers that facilitated the whole procedure. Still a variety of responses were encountered: most of them reacted positively in the idea of being interviewed, a few also provided further contacts of retired fishers but others declined. Moreover, a leaflet was prepared, describing the objectives and finalities of the interviews (see Annex 3.1); it was widely distributed in the coastal places chosen for this activity. Publicity of the EVOMED project and of the fishermen interviews was made also by the web sites of the Institutions involved in this project. The choice of sites/areas where the interviews were collected was based on: a) the importance of the local trawl fisheries, at a national level, in terms of total production, employment and number of fishermen; b) the historical, aspect i.e. it was necessary for EVOMED to collect a representative sample of the oldest active and retired trawl fishermen; c) the areas selected as case study for this project; d) an already existing mutual confidentiality and respectful relationship between the fishing associations/individual fishermen and the researchers; e) other constraints such as time and distance. At the same time, following the guidelines set during the first coordination meeting, the questionnaire for the interviews was prepared (Deliverable 3.1, see Annex 3.2). In order to standardise the information coming from the interviews, a common standardised format was adopted to register data coming from different sites. The main contents of the questionnaire concerned information about vessels, fishing gears, fishing practices and fishing grounds (location of main fishing grounds, duration of fishing trips, on board activity, etc.), the main target species, estimation of catches (the usual catch, memories of exceptional captures, sizes of specimen caught, etc) and discard compositions. Particular attention was given to information on species composition of all the exploited fauna (including not commercial species). The questionnaire contains a specific section dedicated to species of particular interest, such as marine mammals and selachians. For this last group the questionnaire is focused on collecting information on catches, sightings, economic importance and disappearance of species from the catches over time. The questionnaire was planned to collect information according to three main time periods, in order to facilitate the estimation of eventual changes over time: from 1940’s to 1960’s and from 1960’s to 1980’s of the last Century, and from 1980’s of the last Century to present. The interview protocol has been constructed to maximise the reliability of the information gathered and to obtain as much as possible quantitative information. In mid-October the interviews started in the selected areas: Catalan Sea (Spain), Ligurian, northern and central Tyrrhenian Seas (Italy), northern Adriatic (Italy), Aegean Sea (Greece), Ionian Sea (Greece). In the selection of the fishermen to interview, preference was given to vessel Captains. Most information concerns trawl fisheries, only a smaller part concerns small scale fisheries (mostly trammel nets and gill nets); however, all the information collected focused on demersal resources. At the same time of the realization of the interviews, a common database in Excel was prepared in a standard format to store all the information gathered (Deliverable 3.2). The structure of the database strictly reflects that of the questionnaire; it has been prepared according to four different sheets: “fishermen interview”; “vessel-gear-trip”; “catch-marketing”; “fishes-of-particular-interest”. The data entry has been planned according to a fixed codification, in order to minimize the errors of data input. Tab. 3.2.1 summarizes the structure of the database. The completed database with all the collected information is provided as an Annex to the present report, in a cd-rom (Deliverable 3.4). In order to guarantee the privacy, all the possible sensitive data of the fishermen interviewed (as name and surname, name of the vessels, personal information), were excluded from the database. 142 EVOMED – draft Final Report - All data gathered with the interviews were analysed in order to quantify the information collected. Summary reports (Deliverable 3.5) have been produced for the following case studies: 1) Trawl fishery in the Catalan Sea (GSA6) 2) Trawl fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian sea (GSA9) 3) Small scale fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian sea (GSA9) 4) Trawl fishery in the central Adriatic sea (GSA17) 5) Trawl fishery in the Greek Ionian and Aegean seas (GSA 20 and 22) 143 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.2.1 – Structure of the Excel database prepared to store the information collected through the fishermen interviews. Sheet Fishermen interview Sheet Vessel_gear_trip Sheet Catch_Marketing Sheet Fishes-of-particular-interest Fields: Fields: Fields: Fields: N. of Interview Date Place Tape recorded File code Age Place of origin Ports of activity Starting activity (year) Education 1 Education 2 Education 3 Education 4 Education 5 Notes interviewer Photos Articles Captain logbooks Films Video-rec. interview N. of Interview Period Mooring port Overall length (m) Tonnage Radar (year) GPS (year) Sonar (year) Radio VHF (year) Echo-sounder (year) Other Engine kW Gear Type N. of Interview Period Past catches compared with those of the present Most abundant species 1 Most abundant species 2 Most abundant species 3 Most abundant species 4 Sizes of target species compared with the present Examples Unit of the Catch x Effort Catch Minimum catch Maximum catch Presence of benthic organisms Examples Main Comm. sp. discarded 1 Main Comm. sp. discarded 2 Main Comm. sp. discarded 3 Main Comm. Sp. discarded 4 Reasons of discarding Period of max pres. juveniles Examples More econ. relevant sp. 1 More econ. relevant sp. 2 More econ. relevant sp. 3 More econ. relevant sp. 4 More econ. relevant sp. 5 N. of Interview Period Dolphin Incidental Catches Whale Incidental Catches Seal Incidental Catches Turtle Incidental Catches Dolphin Intentional Catches Whale Intentional Catches Seal Intentional Catches Turtle Intentional Catches Gear Purpose Dolphin Sighting Frequency Whale Sighting Frequency Seal Sighting frequency Turtle Sighting frequency Elasmob. catches compared with the present % Elasmob. on the Total Catch Elasmob. main species caught 1 Elasmob. main species caught 2 Elasmob. main species caught 3 Elasmob. main species caught 4 Disapp. Elasmobranch species 1 Disapp. Elasmobranch species 2 Disapp. Elasmobranch species 3 Disapp. Elasmobranch species 4 Last catch of disapp. species 144 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3. 3 - Results This chapter reports the results of the interviews carried out with the fishermen in different places of the Mediterranean. Overall, 107 interviews were carried out (Deliverable 3.3), collecting a highly diversified information as concerns fishing grounds exploited and fishing patterns. The majority of them concern trawl fisheries, only a few were collected for small scale fisheries mainly using set nets. The duration of each individual interview ranged on average from 1 to 2 hours. The interviews were carried out in 20 ports of Spain, Italy and Greece (Fig. 3.3.1). The collected information has allowed producing the following five summary reports (Deliverable 3.5): 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 3.3.4 3.3.5 - Trawl fishery in the Catalan Sea (GSA6) - Trawl fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) - Small scale fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) - Trawl fishery in the central Adriatic Sea (GSA17) - Trawl fishery in the Greek Ionian and Aegean Sea (GSA 20 and 22) 145 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 13 14 22 15 16 1718 19 20 1 2 3 6 5 10 11 12 98 7 23 21 4 24 26 25 Fig. 3.3.1 - Map showing the ports where the interviews with the fishermen were carried out. 1: Port de la Selva; 2: Roses; 3: Palamos; 4: Blanes; 5: Arenys de Mar; 6: Mataro; 7: Barcelona; 8: Vilanova i la Geltrù; 9: Tarragona; 10: Cambrils; 11: L’Ametlla de Mar; 12: San Carles de la Rapita; 13: Viareggio; 14: Livorno; 15: Elba Island; 16: Castiglione della Pescaia; 17: Porto Santo Stefano; 18: Porto Ercole; 19: Civitavecchia; 20: Fiumicino; 21: Ponza Island; 22: Civitanova Marche; 23: Nea Michaniona; 24: Chalkis; 25: Peireas; 26: Patra. 146 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.1 - Trawl fishery in the Catalan Sea (GSA6) 3.3.1.1 - General information All the ports in Catalonia with a significant trawl fleet during the 20th century were visited. The names of the ports, the number of fishermen approached and the number of valid questionnaires retrieved (23) are summarised in Tab. 3.3.1.1. The mean age of the fishermen interviewed was 69.4 years, while the range was comprised between 49 and 88 years. As concerns the year of starting activity, the average value, 1954 was comprised in a wide range (1932-1974). In Tab. 3.3.1.2 the number of fishermen for age classes interviewed for each period is reported. The number of vessels is referred to the trawlers operating in each period in the GSA 6. 147 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.1.1 - GSA 6. Ports where the interviews have been carried out and number of fishermen interviewed. Port Nb of registered trawlers (2005) Nb of fishermen approached Nb of valid interviews Llançà 13 2 0 Port de la Selva 11 2 2 Roses 46 2 2 Palamós 47 2 2 Blanes 29 3 3 Arenys de Mar 27 1 1 Mataró 2 1 1 Badalona 1 -- -- Barcelona 39 2 2 Vilanova i la Geltrú 45 3 1 Tarragona 70 4 2 Cambrils 47 4 4 L'Ametlla de Mar 43 7 2 L'Ampolla 7 -- -- Sant Carles de la Ràpita 108 4 1 Les Cases d'Alcanar 10 -- -- Total 545 37 23 Tab. 3.3.1.2 – GSA 6. Number of interviewed fishermen for age classes and number of active trawlers in each investigated period (average value). Fishermen age class 40-60 61-80 >80 Investigated period From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews 322 9 4 500 5 14 4 407 5 7 Fig. 3.3.1.1 shows the education level of the persons interviewed. 30% had an intermediate level (high school) of education, while 57% had a primary level (elementary) and 13% were illiterate. 148 EVOMED – draft Final Report Education level 30% 57% HIGH SCHOOL ILLITERATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY PRIMARY SCHOOL 13% Fig. 3.3.1.1 – GSA 6. Levels of education of the persons interviewed. 3.3.1.2 - Characteristics of the fishing vessels Tab. 3.3.1.3 and Figs. 3.3.1.2-4 report the results on the mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. The fishing capacity indicator that showed the highest increasing trend from 40’s-60’s period to the present was the mean horse power, which increased almost tenfold. The two other indicators, the mean overall length and the tonnage increased also continuously. As concerns the crew, the mean number of personnel embarked remained relatively stable in time, at around 6 persons (including the skipper). Tab. 3.3.1.3 – GSA 6. Mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. From 40’s to 60’s Mean overall length (m) Mean tonnage Mean horse power (Hp) Mean embarked persons Mean 14.38 13.42 43.77 5.92 St. dev. 8.96 7.76 22.50 1.77 From 60’s to 80’s Mean 17.05 39.98 177.39 6.70 St. dev. 4.25 19.08 138.24 2.23 From 80’s to present Mean 21.5 62.04 407.08 5.86 St. dev. 5.65 38.42 207.46 2 149 EVOMED – draft Final Report Length (LOA) 30 28 26 24 22 Length (m) 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 6 4 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.1.2 – GSA 6. Median length of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. Tonnage 120 100 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range tons 80 60 40 20 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.1.3 – GSA 6. Median tonnage value of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 150 EVOMED – draft Final Report Engine Power 700 600 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 1940_1959 1960_1979 500 kW 400 300 200 100 0 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.1.4 – GSA 6. Median engine power (in kW) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. As concerns the on board instruments of the vessels (Tab. 3.3.1.4), a notable increase of the technological creeping was reported in the second period; from 80’s the majority of the vessels were equipped with GPS. For the conservation of fish, all the vessels had already the ice house in the period 40’s-60’s of the last Century. Tab. 3.3.1.4 – GSA 6. Main on board instruments of the vessels used by the interviewed fishermen. Radar GPS/Loran Echo-sounder Radio (VHF) Ice House Ice production Starting date From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present from 1974 0.0% 8.7% 87.0% from 1984 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% from 1980 0.0% 0.0% 83.0% from 1970 0.0% 74.0% 100.0% from 1946 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% from 1970 0.0% 7.0% 75.0% Until the late 1970s fish was landed in 3 types of containers (Fig. 3.3.1.5): boxes made of wood with a weight of around 30 kg (between 20 and 40 kg, depending of the port) and two types of wicker baskets: large baskets (“coves”, holding around 10 kg) and small baskets (“paneres”, holding 2-3 kg destined to high-prize fish, often single individuals). Since 1981, in all ports, trawlers use standard 20-kg plastic boxes to land their catch. 151 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 3% 1980_present 31% 97% 100% Wood or wicker containers Plastic Wood or wicker containers Plastic 69% Wood or wicker containers Plastic Fig. 3.3.1.5 – GSA 6. Material of the boxes used to store the catches. 3.3.1.3 - Characteristics of the fishing gear Tab. 3.3.1.5 shows the temporal evolution of the characteristics of the fishing gear. According to what reported by the interviewed fishermen, the mean length of the net showed a notable increase over time, while its mean vertical opening was higher only in the last period. The same occurred for the cod-end mesh size, which showed an evident increase, from about 22 mm in the earlier period to about 43 mm in the last years; this was due to the introduction by the Spanish law of a minimum mesh size of 40 mm at the beginning of 80’s and by the following EU Regulations. As concerns the net material, until 1960, all trawl nets were made of hemp or other natural fibres (cotton, esparto grass); in the following twenty years the majority of vessels used nets made by polyamide or by a mix polyamide/hemp. Finally, from 1980 all the nets were made by synthetic material. According to the interviews, the majority of the vessels were equipped with mechanical winches in the 1st period, while the hydraulic winches become predominant after 1960 in 80% of the vessels. Tab. 3.3.1.5 – GSA 6. Temporal evolution of the main characteristics of the fishing gear. Main Gear Type of net Mean length of the net (m) Min/Max/SD length of the net (m) Mean vertical opening (m) Min/Max/SD vertical opening (m) Mean mesh size (cod end) mm Min/Max/SD mesh size (cod end) mm Net material Winches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present Trawl net Trawl net Trawl net 28.77 44.82 76.5 6.5/120/31.64 14.0/120/24.45 30.0/120/31.15 1.08 2.09 3.53 0.40/2.5/0.67 0.55/4.8/1.23 1.00/9.0/2.35 21.84 34.17 42.68 6.6/35/8.65 6.6/50/8.96 36.0/60/6.70 hemp or cotton 100% synthetic 0% cotton/synthetic 0% mechanical 100% hydraulic 0% cotton 21.7% synthetic 60.9% cotton/synthetic 17.4% mechanical 20% hydraulic 80% cotton 0% synthetic 100% cotton/synthetic 0% mechanical 12.5% hydraulic 87.5% 3.3.1.4 - Main target species, main fishing grounds, fishing season 152 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The Catalonian bottom trawl fishery is multi-specific in nature and was/is managed by technical measures such as: spatial closure within a 3 mile of coastal zone or 50 m depth minimum landing sizes, which vary by species minimum mesh sizes (currently, minimum 40 mm diamond meshes are in force) time restrictions: In the period studied, fishing has always been 12 h / day (daylight hours only; since 1936). Fishing trips lasted/last 1 day only, because of the obligation of returning daily to port. Until 1968 trawlers were allowed to work 6 days / week (i.e., including Saturdays), from that year they are allowed to work 5 days / week. The main target species on which the fishery was based over time are reported in Tab. 3.3.1.6; the main shift in the target species of the fishery over time has been the intensification of the deep water fishery, which started as early as the 1950s in some ports (such as Blanes and Palamós). Hence the relative importance of coastal species has diminished in this area. Tab. 3.3.1.6 – GSA 6. Temporal evolution of the main target species. 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 M. merluccius M. merluccius A. antennatus Mullus spp. Mullus spp. N. norvegicus P. kerathurus A. antennatus M. merluccius M. potassou N. norvegicus N. norvegicus Sepia officinalis E. cirrhosa E. cirrhosa Aristeus antennatus Nephrops norvegicus Mullus spp E. cirrhosa Pagellus erythrinus The most abundant species according to the fishermen’s interviews in the Catalonian trawl fishery before the 1960s were relatively coastal species such as juvenile European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Red mullets (Mullus spp), Picarel (Spicara smaris), Bogue (Boops boops), blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), Caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus), seabreams (Pagellus spp.), flatfishes (Citharus linguatula), and octopi (Eledone cirrhosa). In the 1960-1980 period, the same species are cited by the interviewees, with the addition of Loligo vulgaris, Octopus vulgaris and Squilla mantis by some fishermen. In the most recent period, the list of species cited as most abundant reduces to M. merluccius, Nephrops norvegicus, Micromesistius and Aristeus antennatus, with coastal species being cited less often, due to the increase in deep water fishing in the area. Although relatively nearshore (50-200 m depth) trawl fishing continues to be practiced in the area (especially in the southernmost ports), deep water trawling (200-800 m depth) has been the main driver of the trawl fishery since the 1970s (early 1950s in some ports, such as Blanes or Palamós). The deep-water trawl fishing targets the very lucrative red shrimp stock (Aristeus antennatus), with valuable accompanying species such as large hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), and Greater forkbeard (Phycis blennoides). 153 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.1.7 – GSA 6. Temporal evolution of the most abundant target species. 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 M. merluccius M. merluccius M. merluccius Mullus spp. Mullus spp. Spicara smaris Spicara smaris Boops boops Micromesistius poutassou. Penaeus kerathurus Boops boops Micromesistius poutassou Penaeus kerathurus Pagellus spp. Citharus linguatula Eledone cirrhosa Loligo vulgaris Octopus vulgaris Squilla mantis N. norvegicus Micromesistius poutassou Aristeus antennatus Pagellus spp. Citharus linguatula Eledone cirrhosa Extensive, relatively shallow the fishing grounds along the Catalan coast are only common in the southernmost area (delta of the Ebro river) and in the Gulfs of Roses and Lions (in the north). The ports in the Central coast (from Tarragona to Palamós) have deep fishing grounds (200-800 m) within the limits of the obligatory 1-day fishing trips and these are the fishing grounds more intensively exploited in the last 30 years. Until 1965, approximately, due to the small size of the vessels and the obligation of returning daily to port only shallow fishing grounds were trawled, except in 2 important ports (Blanes and Palamós) where the head of deep submarine canyons are very close to shore (4-5 miles). The 13 questionnaires that reported information on fishing grounds in the 1940-1959 period declared that the fishing grounds were in the 40-150 m depth range, with 2 trawlers working occasionally at 300-600 m in red shrimp fishing grounds. In the period 1960-1979, 44% of the trawlers continued working in the 40-150 m depth range, but 30% combined shallow and deep water fishing grounds, and 17% of the trawlers worked exclusively in deep water fishing grounds. From 1980 to the present, this percentage has increased to 36%, as seen in Tab. 3.3.1.8. Tab. 3.3.1.8 – GSA 6. Proportion of trawlers reporting depth of typical fishing grounds. 1940-1959 1960-1979 1980-present Shallow water fishing grounds (40-150 m) 85% 44% 36% Shallow and deep water (40-800 m) 15% 30% 27% Exclusively deep water (200-800 m) 0% 17% 36% 3.3.1.5 - Fishing activity Fishing is carried year round, as there is no closed season for trawlers in the area. The duration of the trips is 1 day because of the obligation of returning daily to port (Tab. 3.3.1.9). The number of hauls per day has remained approximately stable. Instead, mean haul duration has increased from 3 to 3.5 hours, probably because with more powerful engines, boats can reach the fishing grounds 154 EVOMED – draft Final Report - earlier and have more time for fishing. The number of yearly fishing days was very high, slightly smaller than 300 in the 1st period, because fishing was permitted for 6 days a week. With the prohibition of Saturday fishing since 1968 the number of legal fishing days has naturally reduced. Tab. 3.3.1.9 - GSA 6. Evolution of the fishing activity over time. Mean duration (days) Min/Max/SD duration (days) Mean number hauls per day Min/Max/SD number hauls per day Mean haul duration (hours) Min/Max/SD haul duration (hours) Mean fishing days per year Min/Max/SD fishing days per year Habitual fishing trip From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s 1 1 From 80’s to present 1 1/1/0 1/1/0 1/1/0 2.5 2.5 2.7 2/4/0.56 1/5/0.89 2/5/0.89 3.0 3.6 3.5 1.5/4/0.80 1.45/7/1.40 1.25/7/1.68 292 250 242 200/300/28.87 190/300/31.78 200/300/28.92 The problems with the gear were very common until 1960 and were still important also during the second period investigated (Fig. 3.3.1.6); 100% of the interviewed fishermen reported frequent gear problems in the 1940-1959 period, due to the low resistance of natural fibre nets to being dragged over the bottom. In the 1960-1979 period only 39% of the fishermen reported frequent problems, while in the last period (1980-present) none reported frequent problems. 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 0% 0% 61% 39% Frequent Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual Unusual 100% 100% Fig. 3.3.1.6 - GSA 6. Frequency of problems with gear over time. All fishermen interviewed declared that they never used explosives. 3.3.1.6 Catches of the past compared with those of the present According to what reported by the interviews, the mean total catches showed an increase from the early to the most recent period investigated, mainly due to the increase of fishing capacity observed for trawlers of GSA 6 (Tab. 3.3.1.10 and Fig. 3.3.1.7). In general all the fishermen interviewed were rather vague when a quantitative estimate of the old catches was asked. A realistic difficulty in this estimate was perceived. 155 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.1.10 - GSA 6. Total catches over time. Estimation of the catches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s Mean number of boxes per fishing day Min/Max/SD number of boxes per fishing day Mean weight in kg/fishing day Min/Max/SD weight in kg per fishing day Range of the catch (kg/fishing day) From 80’s to present 22 29 50 2 / 100 / 55.41 2 /120 / 26.61 10 /150 / 42.04 461.4 802.4 936.4 0 / 3000 / 773.4 0 / 3600 / 901.5 0 / 3000 / 760.1 Min: 0 Max: 3000 Min:0 Max: 3600 Min: 0 Max: 3000 Mean total landing per fishing day 2200 2000 1800 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 1600 1400 Kg 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.1.7 – GSA 6. Median values of the total landings per vessel and per fishing day. Pictures of Fig. 3.3.1.8 report the perception of the fishermen about the comparison of the catches of the past with those of the present. There was not a clear tendency to declare that the catches of the past were more or much more abundant than those of the present. A general difficulty by the fishermen interviewed to estimate the catches of the past or to make comparison was perceived from all the interviews carried out. 156 EVOMED – draft Final Report Much more abundant (more than three times) 1940_1959 More abundant (two times) 36% The same 43% Less abundant Not able to evaluate 21% Much more abundant (more than three times) 1960_1979 4% 22% More abundant (two times) The same 39% Less abundant 35% Not able to evaluate Much more abundant (more than three times) 1980_present More abundant (two times) 27% 37% The same Less abundant 36% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.1.8 - GSA 6. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of the past compared with those of the present. It seems that there was actually no trend in the mean size of the target species (Fig. 3.3.1.9). Although no clear trend is apparent from these figures, 50% or more of all answers claim that fish size was smaller than present in the past. These results may be masked by the different mesh sizes employed over the 2nd half of the 20th century, with cod-end mesh size increasing from 20 mm in the 1940s to 40 mm in the 1990s. 157 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 29% 1960_1979 Larger 17% More or less the same Larger More or less the same Lower Lower 50% 30% 21% 1980_present Larger More or less the same Lower 54% 46% Fig. 3.3.1.9 – GSA 6. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the size of the specimens caught in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.1.7 - Discards In the first period (1940-1959) there were little discards of commercial species. Many fishermen answered that everything was sold or consumed. In the second and third periods, there exist discards for various reasons, often because of low sale price (registered as “other”). Damaged specimens and undersized fish were / are also occasionally discarded. The discarded commercial species include small Merluccius merluccius, small or damaged Aristeus antennatus, Micromesistius poutassou, Trisopterus minutus, Boops boops, and Trachurus spp. 158 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 14% 18% Damaged specimens 35% Not commercial specimens Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens Other Other 47% 86% 1980_present Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens 50% 50% Other Fig. 3.3.1.10 – GSA 6. Variation of the reason of discarding over time. 3.3.1.8 - Presence of benthic organisms in the catch Pictures of Fig. 3.3.1.11 show the results about the perception of the fishermen about the presence of benthic organisms in the catch in the past compared with that of the present. The analysis of this figure show that benthic organisms were perceived as more abundant or much more abundant by 50% of the persons interviewed in the 1st period, decreasing to 39% in the 2nd period and to 20% in the most recent period, with a corresponding inverse trend in the perception of “the same” or “less abundant” categories. The types of benthic organisms recognised were mostly different classes of Echinoderms, followed by bivalves, sponges and ascidians. Two fishermen reported the increasing rarity of Pinna and Pennatula rubra, but this my be related to the deeper fishing grounds exploited nowadays. 159 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 21% 7% 1960_1979 Much more abundant (more than three times) 4% 26% More abundant (two times) Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) 35% The same The same 43% 29% Less abundant 35% 1980_present 20% 10% Less abundant Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same 70% Less abundant Fig. 3.3.1.11 – GSA 6. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of benthic organisms compared with those of the present. 3.3.1.9 - Periods with maximum presence of juveniles Spring and autumn are the recruitment period for most species exploited by trawlers. Specifically, most fishermen identified April-June as the period of maximum abundance of juveniles of Merluccius merluccius and Nephrops norvegicus. September was identified as the month of recruitment for Mullus spp. Other species recruited in autumn (October-December) are Lophius spp., Phycis blennoides and Pagellus bogaraveo. Small Eledone cirrhosa are recruited in AprilMay. These recruitment periods have not changed throughout the years, as has been suggested by the vast majority of fishermen. 3.3.1.10 - Marketing Tab. 3.3.1.11 shows the temporal evolution of the more economically relevant species according to the information collected with the interviews. The most important species in terms of revenues have been Merluccius merluccius, small Eledone cirrhosa, Mullus spp., Sepia officinalis, Lophius spp., and, locally, Penaeus kerathurus throughout the study period. Since the early 1960s, with the intensification of the deep trawl water fishery, the important species most often identified are the crustaceans Aristeus antennatus and Nephrops norvegicus, replacing all other species except M. merluccius in terms of economic importance. 160 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.1.11 – GSA 6. More economically relevant species over time. 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 M. merluccius M. merluccius A. antennatus Mullus spp. Mullus spp. N. norvegicus P. kerathurus A. antennatus M. merluccius M. potassou N. norvegicus N. norvegicus Sepia officinalis E. cirrhosa E. cirrhosa Aristeus antennatus Nephrops norvegicus Mullus spp E. cirrhosa Pagellus erythrinus 3.3.1.11 – Catches and sightings of species of particular interest In Catalonia “whales” refers always to pilot whales (Globicephala melas), not to baleen whales (Order Mysticeti), and with only 1 incidental catch reported in the period 1940-1959 and 2 in the period 1960-1979. Basically, reports of cetacean incidental or intentional catches and sightings refer to dolphins (Delphinus delphis, Tursiops truncatus or Stenella coeruleoalba). The monk seal (Monachus monachus) has been extirpated from the area in the 1930s or before. Incidental catches of dolphins Incidental catches of sea turtles 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent Fig. 3.3.1.12 – GSA 6. Occurrence of incidental catches of species of dolphins and sea turtles over time. There has never been a market of cetaceans or turtles in the area. Only 2 fishermen reported intentionally catching dolphins for consumption in the early 1940s. This was always selfconsumption. Generally, the fishermen report that dolphins were more abundant in the past but there was not a target fishery for this resource because dolphin meat was not well appreciated and the preparation of dolphins for consumption was very time-consuming, compared to fish or other sources of meat. Several fishermen reported using rudimentary devices placed outside the cod-end to avoid the net being ripped open by dolphins. These devices consisted in sharp, pointing devices made of natural materials, such as the plants cane (Arundo donax) or spiny broom (Calicotome spinosa). Many fishermen reported that these systems were not very efficient in deterring dolphins. 161 EVOMED – draft Final Report Intentional catches of dolphins 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Fig. 3.3.1.13 – GSA 6. Occurrence of intentional catches of species of dolphins over time Many fishermen reported that large shoals of dolphins (hundreds of individuals) were common very close to shore during the 1940-1959 period; they were easily spotted from land. Dolphins have become scarcer in the area since the 1960s and only small shoals (10-20 individuals) are commonly sighted nowadays. Turtles and pilot whales have been always sighted occasionally in the area. Sighting frequency (dolphins) Sighting frequency (pilot whales) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Sighting frequency (Seals) Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Sighting frequency (sea turtles) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Fig. 3.3.1.14 – GSA 6. Sighing frequency of species of particular interest (cetaceans, seals, turtles) over time. 3.3.1.12 - Elasmobranch catches of the past compared with those of the present There is a clear trend in the perception of Elasmobranch abundance from the fishermen’s interviews, with over 80% of the responses reporting the same or higher abundance in the 19401959 period, to 60% in the 1960-1979 period and around 30% in the most recent period (Fig. 162 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.1.15). This perception is reinforced by the fact that around 90% of the fishermen were able to evaluate this relative index of abundance. However, in quantitative terms only 6 fishermen were able to evaluate the proportion of total catches made up by Elasmobranches and the variation of this percentage was very high, from less than 1% to 25% depending on the person. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Less abundant The same More abundant (two times) Much more abundant (more than three times) Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.1.11 – GSA 6. Comparison of the catches of Elasmobranches reported for the past with those of the present. The main selachian species caught were / are: Unidentified skates or rays (Raja spp) Small spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) These 3 taxa continue to be caught with no apparent trend (as inferred from the responses) in the area. Other species that were and continue to be caught in the trawl fishery, albeit much less frequently and with no apparent trend are: Squalus acanthias, Prionace glauca and the baskingshark Cetorhinus maximus. The latter is well-known in the northern part of the area (Roses, Port de la Selva, Llançà) as a problematic species that occasionally enters and destroys the net. To avoid this problem fishermen use a coarse net (about 200 mm stretched mesh) placed in front of the codend as a sort of “basking-shark excluding device”. A species that was cited frequently as accidental catch in the periods 1940-1959 and 1960-1979, is the smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus1). 64% of the fishermen were able to determine that this species had disappeared from the catches before 1979, but no precise information about the 1 Two more species of Mustelus have been reported in the area and fishermen do not differentiate them, but M. mustelus was the most common species. 163 EVOMED – draft Final Report - approximate year was obtained. Other species having disappeared from the catches are Squatina squatina2 (14% of fishermen recognised it) and unspecified species of skates (Raja spp.). It is difficult to know whether the abundance of these species has really decreased in the area or, conversely, these species have disappeared from the trawl catches simply because trawling has been prohibited within 3 miles (or 50 m depth) from the coast since the early 1960s. In any case, there have been occasional catches and sightings of Mustelus and Squatina in the MEDITS trawl surveys or by recreational divers (D. Lloris, pers. comm.). 3.3.1.13 - Other or ancillary information collected during the interviews Most of the old fishermen interviewed are still active in the field due to the nature of the business (family based): all of them originate from fishermen families and their descendants (sons or nephews) continue to be involved in the trawl fishery. As a result, their comparisons regarding the situation in the past and nowadays can be considered reliable in general terms, since they are very well aware of the current status of the fishery. However, it should be pointed out that quantitative information was difficult to obtain. When asking about volume of catches, most fishermen responded that there is a strong year-to-year variability, and gave a figure on what was the typical catch in each period only after much insisting. Many fishermen declared that catches have been increasing in the 2nd half of the 20th century simply because a) boats are more powerful and technology is better; b) meshes are larger; and c) deeper fishing grounds have been discovered. The idea that fish abundance may be decreasing in the wild was not accepted by many fishermen and, when accepted, it was attributed to other anthropogenic factors, such as pollution or climate change. Other types of information, such as the technical characteristics of their boats and navigation instruments, was instead well-remembered. Not all the persons approached accepted to answer the questionnaires (38% rejected). As concerns tally books, only two documents could be identified and observed, but the quality of the information reported in them (non systematic and referring only to 1 or 2 target species) was not worth the effort of digitalization. It seems that most of the fishermen interviewed did not write down their daily activity; in other cases they declared to have not conserved any tracks of the past once they finished to work. 3.3.1.14 - Conclusions: The general outcome of this series of interviews can be summarized in the following lines: Trawler skippers did not report dramatic changes in their total catches throughout the years; rather an increasing trend attributed to more powerful boats, larger meshes and new fishing grounds can be observed. The average capacity of the boats (length, engine power) has increased substantially Technological innovations have improved both the fishing efficiency, as well as the working standards. Discarding practices are mainly driven by low market prices at certain times of the year Dolphins are the most common sightings of ‘particular interest species’, with a clear decreasing trend in the study period. 2 Two more species of Squatina have been reported in the area and fishermen do not differentiate them, but S. squatina was the most common species. 164 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Elasmobranches have declined considerably in the fishery and certain species (Mustelus mustelus, Squatina squatina) have disappeared from the catches. 165 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.2 - Trawl fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) 3.3.2.1- General information The information collected in Italy on the Ligurian, Northern and Central Tyrrhenian Seas covered the following sites/areas: Viareggio and Livorno (Ligurian Sea), Castiglione della Pescaia, Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole (Northern Tyrrhenian Sea), Civitavecchia, Fiumicino and Ponza (central Tyrrhenian Sea). A total of 35 interviews were carried out (Tab. 3.3.2.1). 166 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.2.1 – GSA9. Ports where the interviews have been carried out and number of fishermen interviewed. Region Ports Ligurian Sea Viareggio Number of interviews 6 Ligurian Sea Livorno 3 Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Castiglione della Pescaia 4 Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Porto Santo Stefano 6 Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Porto Ercole 6 Central Tyrrhenian Sea Civitavecchia 2 Central Tyrrhenian Sea Fiumicino 7 Central Tyrrhenian Sea Ponza 1 The mean age of the fishermen interviewed was 68.8 years, while the range was comprised between 49 and 85 years. As concerns the year of starting activity, the average value, 1958, was comprised in a wide range (1936-1982). In Tab. 3.3.2.2 the number of fishermen for age classes interviewed for each period is reported. The number of vessels is referred to the trawlers operating in each period in the GSA9. Tab. 3.3.2.2 – GSA9. Number of interviewed fishermen for age classes and number of active trawlers in each investigated period (average value). Fishermen age class 40-60 61-80 >80 Investigated period From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews 495 0 13 2 525 6 25 2 391 6 26 2 Fig. 3.3.2.1 shows the education level of the persons interviewed. 53% had an intermediate level (high school) of education, while the remaining 47% had a primary level (elementary) of education. 167 EVOMED – draft Final Report Education level 47% HIGH SCHOOL ILLITERATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY PRIMARY SCHOOL 53% Fig. 3.3.2.1 – GSA 9. Levels of education of the persons interviewed. 3.3.2.2 - Characteristics of the fishing vessels Tab. 3.3.2.3 and Figs. 3.3.2.2-4 report the results about the mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. The fishing capacity indicator that showed the highest increasing trend from 40’s-60’s period to the present was the mean horse power, which increased of about four times. The two other indicators, the mean overall length and the tonnage increased from 40’s-60’s period to the 60’s-80’s one; then, they remained quite stable comparing the two last twenty years. As concerns the crew, the mean number of personnel embarked showed an evident decrease over time. Tab. 3.3.2.3 – GSA 9. Mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. From 40’s to 60’s Overall length (m) Tonnage Engine power (kW) Embarked persons Mean 17.1 28.1 89.7 6.9 St. dev. 3.0 13.9 46.9 1.5 From 60’s to 80’s Mean 20.2 42.5 149.1 5.5 St. dev. 3.7 18.6 109.1 1.3 From 80’s to present Mean 20.5 45.8 312.6 3.9 St. dev. 3.7 24.2 156.8 1.1 168 EVOMED – draft Final Report Length (LOA) 28 26 24 Length (m) 22 20 18 16 14 12 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 10 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.2.2 – GSA9. Median length of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. Tonnage 100 90 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 80 70 tons 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.2.3 – GSA9. Median tonnage value of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 169 EVOMED – draft Final Report Engine power 700 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 600 500 kW 400 300 200 100 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.2.4 – GSA9. Median engine power (in kW) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. As concerns the on board instruments of the vessels (Tab. 3.3.2.4), a notable increase of the technological creeping was reported in the second period; from 80’s the majority of the vessels were equipped with GPS. For the conservation of fish, all vessels had already the ice house in the period 40’s-60’s of the last Century. Tab. 3.3.2.4 – GSA 9. Main on board instruments of the vessels used by the interviewed fishermen. Radar GPS/Loran Echo-sounder Radio (VHF) Ice House Ice production Starting date from 1955 from 1976 from 1941 from 1955 from 1947 from 1980 From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 6.7% 0.0% 60.0% 46.7% 100.0% 0.0% 66.7% 9.7% 90.9% 84.8% 100.0% 8.3% 100.0% 62.5% 97.1% 97.1% 100.0% 33.3% The boxes used to store the catches were in wood until 1980 (Fig. 3.2.2.5); they approximately contained 10 kg of fish. Only a few vessels utilised plastic boxes starting from 1975. In the last twenty years the use of boxes made in polystyrene (on average containing 5 kg of fish) has been introduced. . 170 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_present 14% 18% 18% 100% Wood 64% 86% Plastic Polystyrene Wood Plastic Polystyrene Wood Plastic Polystyrene Fig. 3.3.2.5 – GSA 9. Material of the boxes used to store the catches. 3.3.2.3 - Characteristics of the fishing gear Tab. 3.3.2.5 shows the temporal evolution of the characteristics of the fishing gear. According to what reported by the interviewed fishermen, the mean length of the net showed a notable increase over time, while its mean vertical opening was higher only in the last period, mostly in correspondence with the introduction of high vertical opening trawl nets in several ports of the GSA9 like Porto Santo Stefano and Fiumicino. The same occurred for the cod-end mesh size, which showed an evident increase, from about 24 mm in the earlier period to about 39 mm in the last years; this was due to the introduction by the Italian law of a minimum mesh size of 40 mm at the beginning of 80’s and by the following EU Regulations. As concerns the net material, until 1960, 93% of the gears were made by hemp; in the following twenty years the majority of vessels used nets made by polyamide or by a mix polyamide/hemp. Finally, from 1980 all the nets were made by synthetic material. According to the interviews, in all the investigated periods the majority of the vessels were equipped with mechanical winches, while the hydraulic ones were on board of only 7-21% of the vessels according the different periods. Tab. 3.3.2.5 – GSA 9. Temporal evolution of the main characteristics of the fishing gear. Main Gear Type of net Mean length of the net (m) Min/Max/SD length of the net (m) Mean vertical opening (m) Min/Max/SD vertical opening (m) Mean mesh size (cod end) mm Min/Max/SD mesh size (cod end) mm Net material From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present Trawl net Trawl net Trawl net 32.3 36.4 45.5 15 / 40.0 / 6.8 20.0 / 60.0 / 10.9 23.0 / 70.0 / 13.4 0.9 0.9 1.5 0.4 / 3.0 / 0.8 0.3 / 1.3 / 0.2 0.4 / 8.0 / 1.9 20.0 23.8 38.5 10.0 / 30.0 / 6.7 10.0 / 40.0 / 9.5 14.0 / 40.0 / 5.2 hemp 92.9% hemp 15.2% hemp 0.0% synthetic 7.1% synthetic 66.6% synthetic 100.0% hemp/synthetic 0.0% hemp/synthetic 18.2% hemp/synthetic 0.0% 171 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.2.4 - Main target species, main fishing grounds, fishing season The Italian bottom trawl fishery is multi-specific and is managed by technical measures such as: Summer-autumn closure of 30-45 days; Fishing prohibited on Saturday and Sunday Spatial closure (within 3 miles coastal zone; two small No Take Zones, since 2005) Minimum landing sizes Most of these limitations were brought in action after the mid-80’s. The closure to the trawl fishery in the coastal area has been introduced in Italy, at national level, in 1968 with the entry in force of the DPR 1639/68; however, local rules for the interdiction of trawling in the coastal area were already applied before the above-mentioned national regulation. DPR 1639/68 introduced also, for the first time, the minimum landing size for the main species. At present the Italian fisheries follow the EC regulations (e.g. 1967/06). The Summer-autumn closure of 30-45 days, the so called “biological fishing ban”, has been introduced in 1988 in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas with the application of the national Italian Law n. 278 of the 19th July 1988 and, successively, with the “Decreto” n. 304 of the 21st July 1988. The main target species on which the fishery was based over time are reported in Tab. 3.3.2.6; no differences were found comparing the three different periods investigated. The main species was M. merluccius, followed by Mullus spp. (mainly M. barbatus). The only exception is represented by M. poutassou that was a target before 1960, when this species was very abundant at sea. Tab. 3.3.2.6 – GSA 9. Temporal evolution of the main target species. From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present M. merluccius M. merluccius M. merluccius Mullus spp. Mullus spp. Mullus spp. P. longirostris P. longirostris P. longirostris M. potassou N. norvegicus N. norvegicus N. norvegicus E. cirrhosa E. cirrhosa A. foliacea O. vulgaris A. foliacea E. cirrhosa A. foliacea O. vulgaris The interviewed fishermen reported also interesting information about the most abundant species observed in the catches (Tab. 3.3.2.7). No evident changes occurred among the three different periods analysed. The list showed a high correspondence with the target species of the fleets. M. merluccius and Mullus spp. (mainly M. barbatus) were always the most abundant species, while M. poutassou, very abundant in the early period, disappeared from the list for the more recent times. Tab. 3.3.2.7 – GSA 9. Temporal evolution of the most abundant species. From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present M. merluccius M. merluccius M. merluccius Mullus spp. Mullus spp. Mullus spp. M. potassou P. longirostris P. longirostris P. longirostris N. norvegicus N. norvegicus Eledone spp. Eledone spp. Eledone spp. N. norvegicus O. vulgaris O. vulgaris L.mormyrus Scorpaena spp. S. officinalis 172 EVOMED – draft Final Report - GSA9 is a morphologically and ecologically heterogeneous area, characterised by different habitats, environmental conditions and biological communities. The fishing effort is not homogeneously distributed; in the North-Western part of the Ligurian Sea the majority of the vessels operate on bathyal bottoms targeting red shrimps (A. antennatus). On the South-Eastern part of the Ligurian Sea the continental shelf is very wide and the fleets are specialised in trawling on shallower waters; the fleets of Viareggio and Livorno operate on these bottoms. In the Northern and Central Tyrrhenian Sea the fishing effort is more homogeneously distributed on the continental shelf and on the slope. From the interviews carried out it is evident that all the fishing grounds were already exploited when the fishermen interviewed begun their activity in 50’s. Moreover, some specialised fleets like those of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea exploited fishing grounds located in Corsica and around Sardinia, very far from the home port. The fishing season is extended all year round, with not substantial seasonal differences. The 14 questionnaires that reported information on fishing grounds in the 1940-1959 period declared that the fishing grounds in the GSA9 were mainly located in the 0-400 m depth range for the 64.3% of the fishermen interviewed, with 3 trawlers working also on deeper bottoms (till 600 m) in Norway lobster and red shrimp fishing grounds (Tab. 3.3.2.8). 35.7% of the fishermen declared to fish exclusively on the continental shelf and there were any vessels exclusively fishing in deep waters. In the period 1960-1979, the percentage of vessels fishing on shallow and deep waters was more or less the same of the previous period (33 fishermen interviewed, 66.7%). 13 fishermen declared to fish on bottoms deeper of 400 m. As concerns the last period, the percentage of fishermen declaring to fish on shallow and deep waters was higher (76.5%), whilst decreased the percentage of those exploiting exclusively the continental shelf bottoms. About 3% of the interviewed fishermen declared to fish exclusively on deep waters. Tab. 3.3.2.8 – GSA 9. Proportion of trawlers reporting depth of typical fishing grounds. Shallow water fishing grounds (0-200 m) Shallow and deep water (0-800 m) Exclusively deep water (200-800 m) From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 35.7% 33.3% 20.6% 64.3% 66.7% 76.5% 0% 0% 2.9% 3.3.2.5 - Fishing activity The mean duration of the fishing trips carried out on the fishing grounds located inside the GSA 9 decreased over time (Tab. 3.3.2.9). The number of hauls per day was variable according to the different depth and fishing grounds; no significant differences were observed comparing the mean value obtained for the different periods. The same mean duration of the hauls (about 3 hours) was observed for all the periods. The mean fishing days per year remained stable at about 230 until 1980, then they slightly decreased to 203 in the more recent years. 173 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.2.9 – GSA 9. Evolution of the fishing activity over time. Mean, minimum and maximum values ± standard deviation. Mean duration (days) Min/Max/SD duration (days) Mean number hauls per day Min/Max/SD number hauls per day Mean haul duration (hours) Min/Max/SD haul duration (hours) Mean fishing days per year Min/Max/SD fishing days per year Habitual fishing trip From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s 2.2 1.8 From 80’s to present 1.4 1.0 / 5.0 / 1.3 1.0 / 6.0 / 1.2 1.0 / 3.0 / 0.6 4.6 5.0 4.4 2.0 / 10.0 / 2.3 2.5 / 10.0 / 1.9 2.5 / 10.0 / 1.8 2.9 3.0 3.0 1.5 / 4.5 / 0.8 1.0 / 4.5 / 0.8 1.0 / 4.5 / 0.9 232.1 233.2 203.1 150.0 / 300.0 / 41.4 180.0 / 300.0 / 34.1 150.0 / 250.0 / 26.0 The problems with the gear were very common until 1960 and were still important also during the second period investigated (Fig. 3.3.2.6); in the last twenty years the phenomenon resulted less evident, although the 32% of the interviewed fishermen declared that it was still present. Apart the problems due to the material of the net and the lack of instruments to detect the bottoms, worthy of note is the mention by the fishermen of frequent problems occurred in the twenty years after the second world war. The presence of wrecks, mines and other obstacles produced during wartime, caused frequent damages to the fishing gears. 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 30% 7% 32% 93% Frequent Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual Unusual 70% 68% Fig. 3.3.2.6 – GSA 9. Frequency of problems with gear over time. According to fishermen interviews, the fishery with explosives was never practiced by the trawler fleet. Several persons referred that in the years immediately after the second world war, in some coastal areas, it was in use by non professionals to employ along the coast hand grenades to catch mugilids, sparids and other coastal species (Fig. 3.3.2.7). From 60’s practically this activity disappeared. 174 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 0% 3% 47% Frequent Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual Unusual 53% 100% 97% Fig. 3.3.2.7 – GSA 9. Frequency of fishery with explosives over time. 3.3.2.6 Catches of the past compared with those of the present According to what reported by the interviews, the mean total catches showed an increase from the early to the second period investigated, mainly due to the increase of fishing capacity observed for trawlers of GSA 9 (Tab. 3.3.2.10 and Fig. 3.3.2.8). In the last twenty years the catches drastically decreased to half of those observed in the previous period. In general all the fishermen interviewed were rather vague when a quantitative estimate of the old catches was asked. A realistic difficulty in this estimate was perceived. Tab. 3.3.2.10 – GSA 9. Catches over time. Estimation of the catches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s Mean number of boxes per fishing day Min/Max/SD number of boxes per fishing day Mean weight in kg per fishing day Min/Max/SD weight in kg per fishing day From 80’s to present 43.0 66.9 32.3 17 / 500 / 28.6 20 / 200 / 38.0 10 / 60 / 11.9 215.4 292.4 161.7 87.5 / 500.0 / 142.8 100.0 / 1000.0 / 189.8 50.0 /300.0 / 59.6 175 EVOMED – draft Final Report Mean total landing x fishing day 600 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 500 Kg 400 300 200 100 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.2.8 – GSA 9. Median values of the total landing per vessel and per fishing day. Pictures of Fig. 3.3.2.9 report the perception of the fishermen about the comparison of the catches of the past with those of the present. There was a clear tendency to declare that the catches of the past were more or much more abundant than those of the present, especially if this comparison is made with the earlier periods. However, already in the second period, 40% of the interviewed fishermen declared that the catches were the same compared to the present. In the last twenty years the predominant perception (67%) was that the catches were more or less the same than those observed in the present. In contradiction to this, a not negligible percentage of fishermen declared that the catches were less abundant in the past; this result was not easy to explain. A general difficulty by the fishermen interviewed to estimate the catches of the past or to make comparison was perceived from all the interviews carried out. 176 EVOMED – draft Final Report Much more abundant (more than three times) 1940_1959 7% 29% 14% More abundant (two times) The same 14% Less abundant Not able to evaluate 36% Much more abundant (more than three times) 1960_1979 6% 12% 9% More abundant (two times) The same 33% Less abundant 40% Not able to evaluate 1980_present 9% 12% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) 12% The same Less abundant 67% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.2.9 – GSA 9. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of the past compared with those of the present. It seems that there was actually no trend in the mean size of the target species (Fig. 3.3.2.10). In all the three periods considered about 60-65% of the fishermen interviewed declared that the size of the specimens caught in the past was more or less the same to those fished in the present. The perception of larger fishes in the catches was found in 30% of the cases in the two first periods, while in the last twenty years the percentage of fishermen not able to evaluate was very high (21%). 177 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 1940_1959 7% 29% 1960_1979 Larger More or less the same Lower 9% Not able to evaluate 30% Larger More or less the same Lower Not able to evaluate 64% 61% 1980_present 21% 12% Larger More or less the same Lower Not able to evaluate 3% 64% Fig. 3.3.2.10 – GSA 9. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the size of the specimens caught in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.2.7 - Discards Fishermen interviewed reported that discard of commercial species was absent or very low before 1960’s (Fig. 3.3.2.11). In the early period practically all the edible species were marketed. Discard of commercial species was composed rather exclusively by damaged specimens. In the second period the fishermen reported the discard of some species with low commercial value like Trachurus spp., small pelagics, B. boops and L. caudatus. Due to the introduction of minimum landing sizes, and with the changes of the market request, in the period 1980-present the discard of specimens of commercial species gradually and increased. This occurred mostly for small size specimens of M. merluccius and M. barbatus, and of many other species. 178 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 25% 1960_1979 Damaged specimens Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens Not commercial specimens Other 46% Other 54% 75% 1980_present 19% 11% Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens Other 70% Fig. 3.3.2.11 – GSA 9. Variation of the reason of discarding over time. 3.3.2.8 - Presence of benthic organisms in the catch Pictures of Fig. 3.3.2.12 show the results about the perception of the fishermen about the presence of benthic organisms in the catch in the past compared with that of the present. A high percentage of fishermen interviewed declared that the abundance of benthic organisms was more abundant or much more abundant in the early period (65%). This percentage was notably lower in the second period (24%); the majority of the fishermen recognize that from 60’s the abundance of benthic species decreased. This perception is more evident in the last period analysed where the results of the interviews showed abundance more or less similar to the present. Most of the interviewed reported that in the earlier period main benthic species were copiously caught, such as bivalves and gastropods, echinoderms like holothurians and sea stars, sponges, and tunicates. 179 EVOMED – draft Final Report Much more abundant (more than three times) 1940_1959 More abundant (two times) 14% 29% 1960_1979 9% 27% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) 15% The same The same 21% 3% Less abundant Less abundant Not able to evaluate 36% 21% 46% 1980_present Much more abundant (more than three times) 3% 6% More abundant (two times) Not able to evaluate The same 9% Less abundant 61% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.2.12 – GSA 9. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the presence of benthic organisms in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.2.9 - Periods with maximum presence of juveniles Recruits of M. merluccius are pointed out all the year round with maximum of abundance at the end of spring and in autumn. In summer-early autumn the fishermen reported the high presence of recruits of coastal species, mostly Sparidae and M. barbatus. It seems that there are no temporal differences in the major abundance of the recruits comparing the three periods investigated. 3.3.2. 10 - Marketing Tab. 3.3.2.11 shows the temporal evolution of the more economically relevant species according to the information collected with the interviews. The most important economical species, M. merluccius, remained the same during the investigate periods. The economic value of crustaceans was always high and increased gradually over time. Very appreciated were some coastal species like S. aurata, D. labrax and D. dentex. These two last species were not mentioned by the interviewed fishermen in the last period probably for their gradual decrease in the catches. 180 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.2.11 – GSA 9. More economically relevant species over time. From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present M. merluccius M. merluccius M. merluccius Mullus spp. Mullus spp. N. norvegicus N. norvegicus N. norvegicus Mullus spp. S. aurata S. aurata P. longirostris A. foliacea P. longirostris S. aurata D. dentex P. elephas A. foliacea D. labrax D. labrax P. elephas 3.3.2.11 – Catches and sightings of species of particular interest The occurrence of incidental catches of dolphins was occasional in the three periods considered (Fig. 3.3.2.13). Frequent and very frequent catches were reported only for the periods 1940-1959 (21% of the fishermen interviewed) and 1960-1979 (7%). About 50% of the fishermen declared occasional catches of sea turtles in all the three periods. Frequent catches were very low and decreased over time. No records of incidental catches of seals and whales emerged from the interviews. Incidental catches of dolphins Incidental catches of sea turtles 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent Fig. 3.3.2.13 – GSA 9. Occurrence of incidental catches of species of particular interest (dolphins and sea turtles) over time. About 25% of the fishermen interviewed declared to have intentionally, even though sporadically, caught dolphins with harpoons in the past, mostly for private consumption (Fig. 3.3.2.14). Official market for dolphins never existed. This practice gradually decreased in the last period. As concerns sea turtles, only few cases of occasional catches for personal consumption have been reported. 181 EVOMED – draft Final Report Intentional catches of dolphins Intentional catches of sea turtles 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent Fig. 3.3.2.14 – GSA 9. Occurrence of intentional catches of species of dolphins and sea turtles over time. According to fishermen’s reports, dolphins were very frequently and consistently sighted in the first two periods, while in the recent one the sightings become only frequent and, in many cases, occasional as a consequence of their rarefaction (Fig. 3.3.2.15). The presence of whales has been occasional and frequently sighted by the fishermen. A slight tendency to the reduction of occurrence of sighting over time could be detected. It is worth nothing that part of GSA 9 falls within the Cetaceans Sanctuary, a marine sanctuary recently established for the protection of these species. Occasional sighting of seals have been reported until the end of 70’s, mainly in the waters around the islands of the Tuscany Archipelago. A significant percentage of fishermen declared frequent and very frequent sightings of sea turtles in the years 1940-1959. In the last two periods the occurrence of sightings was mainly occasional. Sighting frequency (dolphins) Sighting frequency (whales) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Sighting frequency (Seals) Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Sighting frequency (sea turtles) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Fig. 3.3.2.15 – GSA 9. Occurrence of sightings of dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles over time. 182 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.2.12 – Elasmobranch catches of the past compared with those of the present The main Elasmobranch species caught by the GSA 9 trawl fisheries in the past were: Rays (Raja sp.) Small spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) Smoot hound (Mustelus spp.) Spiked dogfish (Squalus acanthias – Squalus blainvillei) According to the fishermen reports, a clear decrease of Elasmobranch catches occurred over time. For what concern the early period, 64% of the fishermen interviewed reported that the abundance was more or much more abundant than that observed at present (Fig. 3.3.2.16). This percentage decreases in the second period (51%) and is very low in the more recent one (6%). Most of the fishermen declared that from the 1980’s the catches were more or less the same of the present. A significant percentage of fishermen were not able to evaluate the temporal trend of Elasmobranch abundances. The same pattern emerged considering the temporal evolution of the percentage of Elasmobranches on the total catch, which decreased over time (Tab. 3.3.2.12). As concerns single species, fishermen reported a notable decrease of several species, in particular Mustelus spp. and Squalus spp.. Many fishermen declared that the presence of species like Mustelus spp., Squalus spp. and, in particular, Squatina spp., was already reduced in the earlier period (19401960) in the fishing ground of GSA9. The last catches of Squatina spp. and Mustelus spp. date respectively on early 80’s and middle 80’s. The fishermen used to fish in the past around the Sardinian costs (GSA11) reported for the same period very abundant catches of these species and a progressive decrease occurred over time to, in the case of Squatina spp., the complete disappearance from middle of 1980’s. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Less abundant The same More abundant (two times) Much more abundant (more than three times) Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.2.16 – GSA 9. Comparison of the catches of Elasmobranches reported for the past with those of the present. 183 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.2.10 – GSA 9. Percentage of Elasmobranches in the catches over time. Mean percentage of Elasmobranches in the total catch From 40’s to 60’s From 40’s to 60’s From 40’s to 60’s 14.2 10.3 5.3 3.3.2.13 – Tally books During the interviews, it was possible to collect only two tally books. They are two Captain logbooks redacted by one fishermen of Porto Santo Stefano that owned two trawlers in two consecutive periods. Data on total catch (in kg, without specifying species composition) for fishing have been reported for the years 1962-1969. Additional interesting information on costs (diesel oil, crew salaries, gear equipment, vessel maintenance, insurances, etc) is also reported. The two documents have been added to the pdf files of the bibliography (deliverable D.2.2). Data have been entered in the EVOMED database (WP2). 3.3.2.14 - Other or ancillary information collected during the interviews Most of the old fishermen interviewed, are still more or less active in the field due to the nature of the business (family based). Few of them continue to operate a boat along with their sons/ nephews, while others are dealing with fish merchants in the fish market when fish are landed. As a result, their comparisons regarding the situation in the past and nowadays can be considered reliable, since they are very well aware of the current status of the fishery. Most of the fishermen approached demonstrated high interest for the interviews and were available to give us any kind of information of their past activity. It should be pointed out that quantitative data were the more difficult information to obtain and, in many cases, fishermen revealed some difficulties to evaluate temporal trends. On the other hand, many fishermen recognised that the catches were quite constant throughout the years as a consequence of more powerful boats engines and more technological instruments. As concerns tally books, only two documents were collected. It seems that most of the fishermen interviewed did not use to report data of their daily activity; in other cases they declared to have not conserved any tracks of the past once they finished to work. 3.3.2.15 – Conclusions The general outcome of this series of interviews can be summarised in the following lines: Among the capacity indicators considered, engine power showed an increasing trend over time. The increase in the fishing power was related also to the use of larger nets. Technological innovations, mainly adopted in 50’s, improved the fishing efficiency, as well as the working standard. No particular changes have been observed over time concerning the target species as well as for the more abundant species. Total catches per fishing days showed an increase from the early period investigated to the 60’s80’s period that can be attributed to more powerful vessels. In the last period (80’s to present) a significant decrease has been declared by the interviewed fishermen. The perception of the fishermen about the size of the specimens caught did not showed significant changes over time. 184 EVOMED – draft Final Report - All the specimens caught were commercialised in the early period. Discard practices increased due to low commercial value species and, more recently, by the introduction of minimum landing sizes. Dolphins are the most common sighting of “particular interest species”, with a clear evident decrease over time. Whales and sea turtles are occasionally sighted in the GSA 9. Monk seal was no more observed from late 70’s. According to the fishermen reports, a clear decrease of selachians catches occurred over time. Many fishermen declared that the presence of species likes Mustelus spp., Squalus spp. and, in particular, Squatina spp. was already reduced in the earlier period. The last catches of Squatina spp. and Mustelus spp. date respectively on early 80’s and middle 80’s. 185 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.3 - Small scale fishery in the Ligurian Sea, northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea (GSA9) 3.3.3.1- General information During the interviews it was possible to collect information to fishermen belonging to the small scale fishery. Even though this typology of fishery is not a specific target of the project, has not directly, it has been retained interesting to report these data, in spite of the low number of interviews and the wide heterogeneity of the information collected. Anyway, the presented results referred only to this small sample and it is not possible to extrapolate this information to a wider context. The information collected in Italy on the Ligurian, northern and central Tyrrhenian Seas covered the following sites/areas: Viareggio and Marina di Pisa (Ligurian Sea), Marina di Campo and Castiglione della Pescaia (Northern Tyrrhenian Sea), Civitavecchia and Ponza (central Tyrrhenian Sea). A total of 10 interviews were carried out (Tab. 3.3.3.1). Tab.3.3.3.1 – GSA9. List of ports where the interviews have been carried out and number of fishermen interviewed. Region Ports Ligurian Sea Livorno Number of interviewed 1 Ligurian Sea Marina di Pisa 1 Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Marina di Campo 2 Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Castiglione della Pescaia 1 Central Tyrrhenian Sea Civitavecchia 1 Central Tyrrhenian Sea Ponza 4 186 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The mean age of the fishermen interviewed was 74.6 years, while the range was comprised between 60 and 98 years. As concerns the year of starting activity, the average value, 1948, was comprised in a wide range (1922-1974). It was possible to interview a fisherman that started the activity before the Second World War. In Tab. 3.3.3.2 the number of fishermen for age classes interviewed for each period is reported. The number of vessels is referred to the trawlers operating in each period in the GSA9. Tab. 3.3.3.2 – GSA9. Number of interviewed fishermen for age classes and number of active trawlers in each investigated period. n.a. = not available. Investigated period From 80’s to present Fishermen N. Interviews N. Interviews N. Interviews N. Interviews age class vessels vessels vessels vessels 61-80 0 4 6 6 n.a. n.a. n.a. 1400 >80 1 1 2 0 From 20’s to 40’s From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s Most of the fishermen interviewed have a primary level (elementary) of education (78%) (Fig. 3.3.3.1). The remaining 22% has an intermediate level (high school) of education. Education level 22% HIGH SCHOOL ILLITERATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY PRIMARY SCHOOL 78% Fig. 3.3.3.1 – GSA 9. Levels of education of the persons interviewed. 3.3.3.2 - Characteristics of the fishing vessels Tab. 3.3.3.3 and Figs. 3.3.3.2-4 report the results about the mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. The mean horse power was the fishing capacity indicator that showed the highest increase from the 40’s-60’s period to present. The two other indicators, the mean overall length and the tonnage, 187 EVOMED – draft Final Report - increased passing from 40’s-60’s period to the 60’s-80’s one; from 60’s to present they remained quite stable. Tab. 3.3.3.3 – GSA 9. Mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. Overall length (m) Tonnage Engine power (kW) Embarked persons From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present Mean St. dev. 8.5 2.9 5.0 3.4 7.7 0.4 Not available Mean St. dev. 11.3 3.9 9.8 7.1 57.1 45.6 Not available Mean St. dev. 11.1 3.8 9.2 6.6 139.2 93.7 Not available Length (LOA) 18 16 Length (m) 14 12 10 8 6 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 4 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.3.2 – GSA9. Median length of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 188 EVOMED – draft Final Report Tonnage 20 18 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 16 14 Tons 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.3.3 – GSA9. Median tonnage value of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. Engine power 180 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 160 140 120 kW 100 80 60 40 20 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.3.4 – GSA9. Median engine power (in kW) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 189 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The changes in the on board instruments of the vessels are described in Tab. 3.3.3.4. An increase of the technological creeping was reported from 70’s, when the radio and the echo-sounder were installed for the first time on some vessels. In the last period most of the vessels were equipped also with Radar and GPS. Tab. 3.3.3.4 – GSA 9. Main on board instruments of the vessels used by the interviewed fishermen. Starting date from 1980 from 1990 from 1970 from 1970 Radar GPS/Loran Echo-sounder Radio (VHF) From 20’s to 40’s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 57.1% 42.9% 66.7% 66.7% 83.3% 83.3% 3.3.3.3 - Characteristics of the fishing gear The fishermen interviewed used as fishing gear set nets (trammel and gill net) and bottom long lines. In Tab. 3.3.3.5 is reported the temporal evolution of the characteristics of the set nets. According to what reported by the interviewed fishermen, the mean length of the net showed a steep increasing trend over time, particularly evident in the last period, while the mean height remained the same. The mesh sizes used by the fishermen resulted larger in the first two periods, but this could be influenced by changes in the fishing strategies and target species. Before the Second World War the net material was exclusively cotton. Then, synthetic material has been introduced and it totally substituted cotton in 80’s. As concerns long lines, in Tab. 3.3.3.6 the change in the number of hooks over time is reported. For this gear information was available for two periods. The number of hooks showed a significant increase passing from the first to the second period. Tab. 3.3.3.5 – GSA 9. Temporal evolution of the main characteristics of the set nets. Set nets Mean length of the net (m) Min/Max/SD length (m) Mean height (m) Min/Max/SD height (m) Mean mesh size (mm) Min/Max/SD mesh size (mm) From 20’s to 40’s From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 650.0 1112.5 1587.5 5666.7 --- 450 / 2000 / 666.3 350 / 3000 / 920.5 1000 / 13000 / 4191.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 --- 1.25 / 1.8 / 0.4 1.25 / 2.0 / 0.4 1.25 / 2.0 / 0.3 125.0 71.7 41.4 54.8 --- 35.0 / 125.0 / 47.3 30.0 / 55.6 / 11.3 34.5 / 125.0 / 21.2 cotton 25.0% synthetic 75.0% cotton/synthetic 0.0% Cotton 0.0% synthetic 100.0% cotton/synthetic 0.0% cotton 100.0% cotton 50.0% Net material synthetic 0.0% synthetic 50.0% cotton/synthetic 0.0% cotton/synthetic 0.0% 190 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.3.6 – GSA 9. Temporal evolution of the main characteristics of the longlines. Long lines From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s Number of hooks 1400 1812.5 Min/Max/SD number of hooks --- 600 / 3250 / 984.6 3.3.3.4 - Main target species, main fishing grounds, fishing season The main technical measure for the management of small scale fishery in the Mediterranean is represented by the limitation in the length of the net for set nets and the number of hooks for long lines. The main species on which the fishery is based are: Sparidae indet. (Dentex dentex, Sparus auratus, Pagellus spp., Diplodus spp.) Merluccius merluccius Palinurus elephas Sepia officinalis Solea vulgaris Dicentrarchus labrax No particular differences were found comparing the different periods, with the only exception for M. merluccius that become more important in the catches of the last years. Concerning the most abundant species (Tab. 3.3.3.7), from the interviews it resulted that there is a high variability due to different types of gears utilised by the fishermen and the fishing grounds exploited. It is worth of note the indication of P. elephas as one of the most abundant species in the earlier periods. Tab. 3.3.3.7 – GSA 9. Temporal evolution of the most abundant species. From 20’s to 40’s From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present Scorpaena spp. P. elephas M. merluccius S. officinalis P. elephas S. officinalis L. caudatus S. japonicus M. merluccius C. conger O. vulgaris Mugil spp. S. aurata Mugil spp. L. caudatus C. lucernus M. merluccius 191 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The fishing grounds exploited by the fishermen interviewed were very different for the environmental condition and the abundances of the target species. However, it resulted that in the first periods the fishery was limited to the very coastal area (Tab. 3.3.3.8). More recently (from 60’s) the adoption of more powerful engines and technological instruments allowed the fishermen to exploit resources (e.g. M. merluccius) on deeper bottoms, more distant from the home port. Tab. 3.3.3.8 – GSA 9. Proportion of trawlers reporting depth of typical fishing grounds. Shallow water fishing grounds (0-100 m) Shallow and deep water (0-500 m) From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 80.0% 25.0% 50.0% 20.0% 75.0% 50.0% 3.3.3.5 - Fishing activity Tab. 3.3.3.9 refers to the evolution of the fishing activity over time. Normally fishing daily trips were carried out by the fishermen interviewed, corresponding to one haul per day. The permanence of the gears at sea was very variable, ranging from 24 hours in the 20’s-39’s period to about 5 hours in 60’s-80’s. A significant decrease over time in the total number of fishing days per year was observed. Tab. 3.3.3.9 – GSA 9. Evolution of the fishing activity over time (set gears). Mean duration (days) Min/Max/SD duration (days) Mean number hauls per day Min/Max/SD number hauls per day Mean haul duration (hours) Min/Max/SD haul duration (hours) Mean fishing days per year Min/Max/SD fishing days per year Habitual fishing trip From From 20’s to 40’s 40’s to 60’s 1.0 1.0 From 60’s to 80’s 1.3 From 80’s to present 1.0 1 / 1 / 0.0 1 / 1 / 0.0 1 / 1 / 0.5 1 / 1 / 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1 / 1 / 0.0 1 / 1 / 0.0 1 / 1 / 0.0 1 / 1 / 0.0 24.0 12.5 5.4 10.2 --- 5 / 24 / 8.1 0.8 / 12 / 3.9 8 / 12 / 1.8 212.5 176.0 160.0 150 / 250 / 47.9 120 / 250 / 50.3 90 / 250 / 57.3 --- Problems with the gear were very common for small scale fishery (Fig. 3.3.3.5). However, a significant decreasing trend over time is observed: the fisherman interviewed on the early period reported that these inconveniences were very frequent, while in 80’s-present only 50% of the fishermen declared to have frequent problems with the gear. 192 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1920_1939 1940_1959 25% Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual 75% 100% 1960_1979 1980_2008 50% 43% 57% Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual 50% Fig. 3.3.3.5 – GSA 9. Frequency of problems with gear over time. The fisherman interviewed on the period before the Second World War did not remember fishery with explosives. This phenomenon was evident after the war; 25% of the fishermen interviewed declared that this activity was practiced. Then, a decreasing trend was observed and no fishing with explosives was reported after the 1980’s (Fig. 3.3.3.6). 193 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1920_1939 1940_1959 25% Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual 75% 100% 1960_1979 1980_2008 14% Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual 100% 84% Fig. 3.3.3.6 – GSA 9. Frequency of fishery with explosives over time. 3.3.3.6 - Catches of the past compared with those of the present Picture of Fig. 3.3.3.7 reports the perception of the fishermen about the comparison of past catches with present ones. There is a clear tendency to declare that the catches were more or notably more abundant than those of the present before the war and in the periods 1940-1959 and 1960-1979. However, already in the period 60’s-80’s, 25% of the interviewed fishermen declared that the catches were the same compared to the present. For the last twenty years, about 50% of the fishermen have the perception that the catches were more or less the same of those observed in the present. As in the case of trawling, a not negligible percentage of fishermen declared that the catches were less abundant in the past; this result was not easy to explain, probably the question was not well understood by them. 194 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1920_1939 Much more abundant (more than three times) Much more abundant (more than three times) 1940_1959 20% More abundant (two times) More abundant (two times) The same Less abundant The same 20% 60% Not able to evaluate 100% 1960_1979 13% 25% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) Less abundant Not able to evaluate Much more abundant (more than three times) 1980_present 17% 17% More abundant (two times) The same The same 17% 25% Less abundant 37% Not able to evaluate Less abundant 49% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.3.7 – GSA 9. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of the past compared with those of the present. As concerns the size of the specimens caught (Fig. 3.3.3.8), 80% of the fishermen had the perception that in the period after the Second World War it was larger in respect to the present. Already in the period 1960-1979 most of the fishermen (62%) declared that the size of the specimens was more or less the same of the present. This sensation is confirmed in the more recent period analysed: 66% of the fishermen declared that the size was more or less the same and 17% lower than the present. 195 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 Larger More or less the same Lower 20% 38% Not able to evaluate Larger More or less the same Lower Not able to evaluate 62% 80% 1980_present 17% 17% Larger More or less the same Lower Not able to evaluate 66% Fig. 3.3.3.8 – GSA 9. Size of the specimens caught in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.3.7 - Discards In the small scale fishery discard of commercial species was very low. The main reasons of discards (Fig. 3.3.3.9) were the presence of damaged specimens or the catches of species or sizes with low commercial value. The fisherman interviewed on the period before the war said that only the damaged specimens were not commercialised. 1920_1939 1940_1959 Damaged specimens 20% Not commercial specimens Not commercial specimens Other Other 80% 100% 1960_1979 14% 86% Damaged specimens 1980_present Damaged specimens 20% Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens Not commercial specimens Other Other 80% Fig. 3.3.3.9 – GSA 9. Variation of the reason of discarding over time. 196 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.3.8 - Presence of benthic organisms in the catch The results showed that many fishermen were not able to evaluate over time the abundance of the benthic species. This is mainly due to the low interaction with the gear utilized. Most of the fishermen had the perception that the abundance of benthic species in the catches was the same or less in respect to the present. 3.3.3.9 - Marketing Tab. 3.3.3.10 shows the temporal evolution of the more economically relevant species according to the information collected with the interviews. Most of the species are typical of coastal waters. From the 1960’s, M. merluccius resulted more important, probably in consequence of the capacity of the vessels to exploit fishing grounds more distant from the coast. Tab. 3.3.3.10 – GSA 9. More economically relevant species over time. From 20’s to 40’s From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present P. elephas P. elephas M. merluccius M. merluccius S. scrofa Sparidae indet. Sparidae indet. Sparidae indet. M. surmuletus M. merluccius P. elephas P. elephas M. surmuletus Epinephelus spp. C. lucernus 3.3.3.10 – Catches and sightings of species of particular interest The occurrence of incidental catches of dolphins in the small scale fishery was occasional (Fig. 3.3.3.10). The catches showed a significant reduction over time and, from the 1980’s, dolphins were no more incidentally caught by the fishermen interviewed. A similar trend was observed for sea turtles. For these species frequent catches were done after the Second World War. Occasional catches were also obtained in the more recent period investigated. The fisherman interviewed on the period before the war reported incidental catches of seals. No records of incidental catches of whales emerged from the interviews. Incidental catches of dolphins Incidental catches of sea turtles 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1920_1939 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Never Occasional Frequent Very frequent 1920_1939 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Never Occasional Frequent Very frequent Fig. 3.3.3.10 – GSA 9. Occurrence of incidental catches of species of particular interest (dolphins and sea turtles) over time. 197 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Intentional catches of dolphins, sea turtles and seals have been declared by the fishermen (Fig. 3.3.3.11). These catches were occasional for dolphins and seals, while frequent for sea turtles. However for all this animals, a decreasing trend in this practice was observed over time. Only for sea turtles catches were done also in the more recent period. The fishermen reported that the catches, made with harpoon for dolphins and seals, were exclusively for personal consumption. Intentional catches of dolphins Intentional catches of sea turtles 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1920_1939 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Never Occasional Frequent 1920_1939 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Very frequent Never Occasional Frequent Very frequent Intentional catches of seals 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1920_1939 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Never Occasional Frequent Very frequent Fig. 3.3.3.11 – GSA 9. Occurrence of intentional catches of species of dolphins, sea turtles and seals over time. According to what reported by fishermen, dolphins were frequently sighted in the period comprised between 1920’s and 1950’s. Then, the sightings become frequent and, in some cases, occasional (Fig. 3.3.3.12). Fisherman interviewed on the period before the war declared frequent sightings of whales. After the war the presence of them was occasional. Occasional sighting of seals have been reported until the end of 70’s. A significant percentage of fishermen declared frequent and very frequent sighting of sea turtles until the period 1960-1979. After that, the occurrence of sightings was mainly occasional. 198 EVOMED – draft Final Report Sighting frequency (dolphins) Sighting frequency (whales) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1920_1939 Never 1940_1959 Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent 1920_1939 Never Sighting frequency (Seals) 1940_1959 Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent Sighting frequency (sea turtles) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1920_1939 Never 1940_1959 Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent 1920_1939 Never 1940_1959 Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent Fig. 3.3.3.12 – GSA 9. Occurrence of sightings of dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles over time. 3.3.3.11 - Elasmobranch catches of the past compared with those of the present The main Elasmobranch species caught by the GSA 9 small scale fisheries in the past were: Rays (Raja sp.) Small spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) Smoot hound (Mustelus spp.) Nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris) According to the fishermen reports, a decreasing trend in the catches of selachians occurred over time. In the early periods (until 1959) the fishermen interviewed reported that the abundance was much more abundant than that observed at present (Fig. 3.3.3.13). In the following years the abundance of selachians was still higher in respect to the present situation, but lower than the previous periods. For what concerns single species, fishermen reported the disappearance of some species like Squatina spp. (last record in 1979) and Mustelus spp. (end of 80’s). 199 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1920_1939 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Less abundant The same More abundant (two times) Much more abundant (more than three times) Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.3.13 – GSA 9. Comparison of the catches of Elasmobranches reported for the past with those of the present. 3.3.3.12 - Other or ancillary information collected during the interviews The fisherman interviewed for the period before the II World War reported the catch of one specimen of Acipenser sturio on 1935. 3.3.3.13 – Conclusions The general outcome of this series of interviews can be summarised in the following lines: Among the capacity indicators considered, engine power showed an increasing trend over time. Length and tonnage of the vessels showed a significant increase at the end of 50’s. Technological innovations have been mainly adopted from 70’s to present. The mean length of the net and number of hooks for longlines showed a steep increasing trend over time. As concerns the target species, no particular differences were found comparing the different periods, with the only exception for M. merluccius that become more important in the catches of the last years. From the interviews it resulted that there is a high variability about the most abundant species due to different types of gears utilised by the fishermen and the fishing grounds exploited. It is worth of note the indication of P. elephas as one of the most abundant species in the earlier periods. The perception of the fishermen about the comparison of past catches with the present ones is of more or notably more abundance before the war and in the periods 1940-1959 and 1960-1979 than those of the present. 200 EVOMED – draft Final Report - As concerns the size of the specimens caught, the majority of fishermen had the perception that in the period after the Second World War it was larger in respect to the present. In the small scale fishery discard of commercial species was always very low. Dolphins were frequently sighted before 50’s. Then, the sightings become frequent and, in some cases, occasional. Frequent sightings of whales before the war have been declared. After the war the presence of them was occasional. Occasional sighting of seals have been reported until the end of 70’s. A decreasing trend in the catches of Elasmobranches occurred over time. Fishermen reported the disappearance of some species like Squatina spp. (last record in 1979) and Mustelus spp. (end of 80’s). 201 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.4 - Trawl fishery in the central Adriatic Sea (GSA17) 3.3.4.1 - General information A total of 15 interviews were performed in the port of Civitanova Marche (central Adriatic). The mean age of the fishermen interviewed was 73.3 years, comprised in a range between 64 and 82 years. As concerns the year of starting activity, the average value, 1950, was comprised between a minimum a 1942 to a maximum of 1960. In Tab. 3.3.4.1 the number of fishermen for age classes interviewed for each period is reported. The number of vessels is referred to the trawlers operating in each period in the GSA17. The sample of the interviewed fishermen, belonging to only one port, is very small in comparison with the size of the GSA17 fleets; so any expansion to a wider geographical context of this sample is low realistic. Tab. 3.3.4.1 – GSA17. Number of interviewed fishermen for age classes and number of active trawlers in each investigated period (average value). Fishermen age class 40-60 61-80 >80 Investigated period From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews 1700 0 12 1 2500 0 14 1 1800 0 14 1 202 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Fig. 3.3.4.1 shows the education level of the persons interviewed. Two third of them had a primary level (elementary) of education, the remaining fraction had an intermediate level of education (mainly technical schools). Education level 33% HIGH SCHOOL ILLITERATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY PRIMARY SCHOOL 67% Fig. 3.3.4.1 – GSA 17. Levels of education of the persons interviewed. 3.3.4.2 - Characteristics of the fishing vessels Tab. 3.3.4.2 and Figs. 3.3.4.2-4 report the results about the mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. The mean overall length and the mean tonnage of the vessels clearly increased from the early period to the intermediate period (1960-1980) showing a slight decrease in the last period (1980-present). On the other hand, the engine power of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed showed a notable increase over time, from about 74 hp in the first period to about 435 hp in the more recent years. Although this notable difference, it is probable that the estimations of the engine power were little underestimated, especially those of the last period. Tab. 3.3.4.2 – GSA 17. Mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. From 40’s to 60’s Overall length (m) Tonnage Engine power (kW) Mean 18.8 44.2 68.9 St. dev. 4.1 24.2 39.1 From 60’s to 80’s Mean 22.5 75.6 180.5 St. dev. 4.4 21.1 83.6 From 80’s to present Mean 21.4 66.5 298.6 St. dev. 4.4 30.7 186.4 203 EVOMED – draft Final Report Length (LOA) 30 28 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 26 Length (m) 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.4.2 – GSA 17. Median length of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. Tonnage 120 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 100 Tons 80 60 40 20 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.4.3 – GSA 17. Median tonnage value of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 204 EVOMED – draft Final Report Engine power 450 400 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 350 300 kW 250 200 150 100 50 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.4.4 – GSA 17. Median engine power (in kW) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. The temporal evolution of the on board instruments of the vessels (Tab. 3.3.4.3) revealed a notable increase of the technological creeping over time. In the first twenty years investigated (1940-1960) the on board electronic equipment for navigation was very scarce, but from already 1960 the majority of vessels started installing modern instruments. Tab. 3.3.4.3 – GSA 17. Main on board instruments of the vessels reported by the interviewed fishermen. Radar GPS/Loran Echo-sounder Radio (VHF) Starting date from 1959 from 1965 from 1959 from 1963 From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 8.3% 0.0% 41.7% 0.0% 92.9% 28.6% 78.6% 85.7% 100.0% 75.0% 100.0% 100.0% 3.3.4.3 - Characteristics of the fishing gear Tab. 3.3.4.4 shows the temporal evolution of the characteristics of the fishing gear. According to what reported by the interviewed fishermen, the mean length of the net increased over time, from about 31 m of the earlier period to about 44 m of the present; the contrary the mean vertical opening slightly decreased. An important increase over time has been reported also for the cod end mesh size, which varied from about 21 mm to about 39 mm. As concerns the net material, until 1960, the majority of the nets were made by cotton; in the following twenty years most of the vessels used nets made by polyamide and a small fraction employed nets made by a mix of polyamide/cotton. Finally, from 1980 all the nets were made by 205 EVOMED – draft Final Report - synthetic material. As reported by the fishermen, mechanical winches were partially replaced with hydraulic ones over time, but always remained the more commonly employed instrument. Tab. 3.3.4.4 – GSA 17. Temporal evolution of the main characteristics of the fishing gear. Main Gear Type of net Mean length of the net (m) Min/Max/SD length of the net (m) Mean vertical opening (m) Min/Max/SD vertical opening (m) Mean mesh size (cod end) mm Min/Max/SD mesh size (cod end) mm Net material Winches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present Trawl net Trawl net Trawl net 31.3 36.0 44.2 20 / 40 / 8.0 30 / 45 / 4.8 30 / 80 / 13.7 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 / 2.0 / 0.2 1.2 / 2.0 / 0.1 1.2 / 1.5 / 0.0 21.3 26.9 38.5 14 / 30 / 8.5 12 / 40 / 10.1 22 / 40 / 5.2 cotton 75.0% synthetic 16.7% cotton/synthetic 8.3% mechanical 100% hydraulic 0% cotton 0.0% synthetic 92.9% cotton/synthetic 7.1% mechanical 77.8% hydraulic 22.2% cotton 0% synthetic 100% cotton/synthetic 0% mechanical 83.3% hydraulic 16.7% 3.3.4.4 - Main target species, main fishing grounds, fishing season Tab. 3.3.4.5 shows the temporal evolution of the main target species as reported by the fishermen. Even though the groups of species targeted by the trawl fleet of Civitanova Marche remained substantially the same over time, e.g. the relevant importance of M. merluccius in all periods, some changes are detected. As an example, the importance of N. norvegicus and S. mantis increased over time, while that of S. officinalis and S. scomber decreased. Tab. 3.3.4.5 – GSA 17. Temporal evolution of the main target species. From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present M. merluccius M. merluccius N. norvegicus S.officinalis M. barbatus M. merluccius S. scomber N. norvegicus S. mantis E. encrasicolus S. officinalis M. barbatus M. barbatus S. scomber S. vulgaris S. mantis Lophius spp. Lophius spp. N. norvegicus S. mantis M. poutassou 206 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The interviewed fishermen reported also interesting information about the most abundant species observed in the catches (Tab. 3.3.4.6). Until 1980 the two small pelagics S. scomber and E. encrasicholus have been reported among the most abundant species, while their abundance decreased in the more recent period. M. merluccius remained one of the most abundant species in all the periods, while for S. mantis an increase over time has been reported. Tab. 3.3.4.6 – GSA 17. Temporal evolution of the most abundant species. From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present S. scomber S. scomber M. barbatus E. encrasicolus M. merluccius S. mantis M. merluccius E. encrasicolus M. merluccius L. mormyrus M. barbatus N. norvegicus Eledone spp. S. mantis Lophius spp. M. barbatus L. mormyrus S. officinalis Raja spp. S. officinalis Scophthalmidae indet. This fleet exploited fishing grounds located in a wide geographical range comprised from Ancona (North) to San Benedetto del Tronto (South) and reaching, up to 50 nautical miles, the sea off the former Yugoslavian coasts. No substantial temporal evolution was reported in the three periods investigated. The fishing season is extended all year round, with not substantial seasonal differences. 3.3.4.5 - Fishing activity According to what reported by the fishermen, the mean duration of the fishing trip notably decreased over time. In the earlier period the trawlers were used to spend, on average, 9 days out of the ports, while for the more recent years the reported habitual fishing trip is, on average, of 3.5 days (Tab. 3.3.4.7). The mean number of the hauls increased from 6.5 to about 9, while the mean duration of the hauls decreased from 3.4 to 1.8 hours. The mean fishing days per year remained stable at about 280 until 1980, then they drastically decreased to 165 in the more recent years. Tab. 3.3.4.7 - GSA 17. Evolution of the fishing activity over time. Mean duration (days) Min/Max/SD duration (days) Mean number hauls per day Min/Max/SD number hauls per day Mean haul duration (hours) Min/Max/SD haul duration (hours) Mean fishing days per year Min/Max/SD fishing days per year Habitual fishing trip From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s 8.9 6.1 From 80’s to present 3.7 6 /15 / 2.0 4 / 15 / 1.3 3 / 4 / 0.4 7.0 7.3 8.4 5 / 10 / 1.6 6 / 10 / 1.6 6 / 12 / 2.0 2.7 2.8 2.0 1.5 / 3 / 0.5 1.5 / 3 / 0.5 1.5 / 2.5 / 0.4 280.0 280.0 166.7 280 / 280 / 0.0 280 / 280 / 0.0 160 / 200 / 13.0 207 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The occurrence of problems with the gear was very frequent until 1960; in the successive years it decreased notably, becoming occasional (only 8% of the interviews reported this phenomenon) in the last twenty years (Fig. 3.3.4.5). The fishermen interviewed never reported the presence of fishery with explosives as practiced by the trawl fleets working in GSA 17. 1940_1959 1960_1979 0% 1980_2008 43% 8% Frequent Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual Unusual 57% 92% 100% Fig. 3.3.4.5 - GSA 17. Frequency of problems with gear over time. 3.3.4.6 Catches of the past compared with those of the present As concerns the quantitative estimate of the catches of the past, the interviewed fishermen reported the values in boxes. To estimate the catches in kg, the main weight of the content of the different boxes used over time was used. Tab. 3.3.4.8 and Fig. 3.3.4.6 summarize the temporal evolution of the quantitative estimation of the catches. A strong decreasing trend is evident, but probably it is overestimated by several factors. In the earlier period many interviewed fishermen reported that most of the trawlers used net with high vertical opening to catch also small pelagics as mackerels, anchovies and sardines; this produced very abundant catches. In the following periods, nets with lower vertical opening were mostly used to target specifically demersal species, while started the use of pair trawlers specifically devoted to small pelagics. In addition, as in all the other areas investigated, the fishermen resulted rather vague when they had to produce quantitative estimates of the catches of the past. Tab. 3.3.4.8 - GSA 17. Total catches over time. Estimation of the catches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s Mean number of boxes per fishing day Min/Max/SD number of boxes per fishing day Mean weight in kg Min/Max/SD weight in kg per fishing day From 80’s to present 67.0 61.9 18.8 40 / 200 / 46.2 30 / 200 / 46.7 5 / 30 / 8.0 337.1 309.6 94.1 20 / 400 / 230.8 10 / 400 / 233.4 25 / 150 / 40.1 208 EVOMED – draft Final Report Mean total landing x fishing day 600 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 500 Kg 400 300 200 100 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.4.6 – GSA 17. Median values of the total landing per vessel and per fishing day. Pictures of Fig. 3.3.4.7 show the results on what reported by the fishermen about the comparison of the catches of the past with those of the present. Almost the totality of the interviewed reported that the catches of the periods 1940-1960 and 1960-1980 were more or notably more abundant than those of the present. On the other hand, only 25% of the interviewed reported the catches of the more recent period as more abundant than those of the present. 209 EVOMED – draft Final Report Much more abundant (more than three times) 1940_1959 8% More abundant (two times) The same 50% 42% Less abundant Not able to evaluate Much more abundant (more than three times) 1960_1979 7% More abundant (two times) 36% The same Less abundant 57% Not able to evaluate 1980_present 25% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same Less abundant 75% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.4.7 - GSA 17. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of the past compared with those of the present. As concerns eventual differences in the average size of the specimens caught, it seems that no particular temporal trends are present (Fig. 3.3.4.8). 210 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 Larger Larger 7% 8% More or less the same 92% More or less the same 93% 1980_present Larger 0% More or less the same 100% Fig. 3.3.4.8 – GSA 17. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the size of the specimens caught in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.4.7 - Discards The composition of the discarded species remained substantially the same over time. The main species reported in the discard are B. boops, Trachurus spp., M. merluccius, C. rubescens and crabs of the genus Liocarcinus. The reason of discarding is the not commercial value of the specimens (Fig. 3.3.4.9). 3.3.4.8 - Presence of benthic organisms in the catch All the interviewed fishermen reported that in the past, until 1980, the presence of the benthic organisms in the catch was more or much more abundant than that observed in the present. On the other hand, this difference was not reported for the catches of the more recent years (Fig. 3.3.4.10). Invertebrates as holothurians, bivalves, gastropods and sponges were the most abundant organisms in the catches; not substantial temporal differences in the composition were reported by the fishermen except for sponges which disappeared in the last period. 211 EVOMED – draft Final Report 1940_1959 1960_1979 0% 0% Damaged specimens Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens Not commercial specimens 100% 100% 1980_present 0% Damaged specimens Not commercial specimens 100% Fig. 3.3.4.9 – GSA 17. Variation of the reason of discarding over time. 1940_1959 8% Much more abundant (more than three times) 1960_1979 More abundant (two times) More abundant (two times) The same 43% Less abundant 92% 57% 0% The same Less abundant Not able to evaluate 1980_present Much more abundant (more than three times) Not able to evaluate Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same Less abundant 100% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.4.10 – GSA 17. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of benthic organisms compared with those of the present. 212 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.4.9 - Periods with maximum presence of juveniles End of summer-beginning of autumn has been reported as the period of maximum presence of juveniles, mainly recruits of M. barbatus in coastal area. 3.3.4.10 - Marketing Tab. 3.3.4.9 shows the temporal evolution of the more economically relevant species according to the information collected with the interviews. The most important economical species, M. merluccius, N. norvegicus and S. vulgaris remained the same during the investigate periods. Some differences were reported for other species as Mustelus spp. and Z. faber which decreased, and for P. kerathurs and Loligo spp. which economical relevance increased in the more recent period. Tab. 3.3.4.9 – GSA 17. More economically relevant species over time. From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present M. merluccius M. merluccius N. norvegicus N. norvegicus N. norvegicus M. merluccius S. vulgaris S. vulgaris S. vulgaris Lophius spp. Lophius spp. P. kerathurus Z. faber Z. faber Loligo spp. Mustelus spp. Scophthalmidae indet. Lophius spp. Scophthalmidae indet. Raja spp. M. barbatus 3.3.4.11 – Catches and sightings of species of particular interest The occurrence of incidental catches of dolphins was occasional in the past, until the 1980’s of the last Century, while intentional catches of sea turtles (mainly Caretta caretta) were reported by 75% of the fishermen as a frequent event until 1980 and by most of them as an occasional event in the more recent period (Fig. 3.3.4.11). No records of incidental catches of seals and whales emerged from the interviews. Incidental catches of dolphins Incidental catches of sea turtles 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 Frequent 1980_2008 Very frequent Fig. 3.3.4.11 – GSA 17. Occurrence of incidental catches of species of particular interest (cetaceans and sea turtles) over time. 213 EVOMED – draft Final Report - No fishermen reported to have intentionally fished dolphins or sea turtles. The most frequent sightings refer to dolphins and sea turtles (Fig. 3.3.4.12). Whales were encountered less frequently only in the earlier years, while seals were never sighted. According fishermen accounts, dolphins were frequently and consistently sighted throughout all time periods, showing only a slight decrease in the last period; the same pattern has been reported for sea turtles, even though these organisms were observed less frequently and in low numbers. Sighting frequency (dolphins) Sighting frequency (whales) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Sighting frequency (Seals) Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Sighting frequency (sea turtles) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent 1940_1959 Never Occasional 1960_1979 1980_2008 Frequent Very frequent Fig. 3.3.4.12 – GSA 17. Occurrence of sightings of dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles over time. 3.3.4.12 – Elasmobranch catches of the past compared with those of the present The main Elasmobranch species caught over time by the interviewed fishermen of Civitanova Marche were: Small spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) Smoot hound (Mustelus spp.) Spiked dogfish (Squalus acanthias – Squalus blainvillei) Rays (Raja spp.) According to the fishermen reports, an evident decrease of catches of selachians occurred over time. 95% of the fishermen interviewed reported that the abundance until the 1980’s was more or much more abundant than that observed at present (Fig. 3.3.4.13). On the other hand, from the interview emerged that the catches in the more recent years did not show evident differences. The same 214 EVOMED – draft Final Report - pattern emerged if we consider the temporal evolution of the percentage of selachians in the catch, which decreased over time (Tab. 3.3.4.10). As concerns single species, from 1960 the fishermen reported a notable decrease of several species as in particular Squalus spp. and Raja spp. In some cases also a decrease of Mustelus spp. was noticed. Selachian catches 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Not able to evaluate Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) Less abundant The same Fig. 3.3.4.13 – GSA 17. Comparison of the catches of Elasmobranches reported for the past with those of the present. Tab. 3.3.4.10 – GSA 17 – Percentage of Elasombranches in the catches over time. Mean percentage of Elasmobranches in the total catch From 40’s to 60’s From 40’s to 60’s From 40’s to 60’s 12.7 10.9 5.8 3.3.4.13 Other or ancillary information collected during the interviews: The fishermen interviewed reported the disappearance of an important species of the past, the sturgeon Acipenser spp.. The last catch of this species was reported for the year 1966. It was impossible to collect tally books or diaries; it seems that fishermen did not still have similar documents or they were not used to register information in such a way. 215 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.4.14 – Conclusions The general outcome of this series of interviews can be summarised in the following lines: Among the capacity indicators considered, engine power showed an increasing trend over time. The increase in the fishing power was related also to the use of larger nets. Technological innovations, mainly adopted in 60’s, improved the fishing efficiency, as well as the working standard. Even though the groups of species targeted by the trawl fleet of Civitanova Marche remained substantially the same over time, some changes are detected as the increasing importance of N. norvegicus and S. mantis. About the most abundant species, the fishermen reported a notably decrease for small pelagics e.g. S. scomber and E. encrasicolus. Mean total catches per fishing day showed a decreasing trend particularly evident in the last period considered. The perception of the fishermen about the size of the specimens caught did not showed significant changes over time. Dolphins were frequently and consistently sighted throughout all time periods, showing only a slight decrease in the last period; the same pattern has been reported for sea turtles. Whales were encountered less frequently only in the earlier years, while seals were never sighted. An evident decrease of catches of Elasmobranches occurred over time. The fishermen reported a notable decrease of several species as in particular Squalus spp. and Raja spp.. The fishermen interviewed reported the disappearance of an important species of the past, the sturgeon Acipenser spp.. The last catch of this species was reported for the year 1966. 216 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.5 - Trawl fishery in the Greek Ionian and Aegean sea (GSA 20 and 22) 3.3.5.1- General information The information collected in Greece covered the following sites/areas: Nea Michaniona (Thessaloniki, North Aegean), Chalkis (Evoia Island, Central Aegean), Peireas (South Aegean) and Patra (Ionian Sea). Trawling activities are almost exclusively carried out in the Aegean Sea. A total of 23 interviews were carried out (Tab. 3.3.5.1). Tab. 3.3.5.1 – GSA 20 and 22. List of ports where the interviews have been carried out and number of fishermen interviewed. Region Ports Aegean Peiraias Number of interviews 8 Aegean Chalkis 4 Ionian Patra 2 Aegean Nea Michaniona 9 217 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The mean age of the fishermen interviewed was 67.7 years, while the range was comprised between (45 and 88 years). As concerns the year of starting activity, the average value, 1957, was comprised in a wide range (1944-1982). In Tab. 3.3.5.2 the number of fishermen for age classes interviewed foe each period is reported. The number of vessels is referred to the trawlers operating in each period in the GSA 20 and 22. Tab. 3.3.5.2 – GSA20-22. Number of interviewed fishermen for age classes and number of active trawlers in each investigated period (average values). From 40’s to 60’s Fishermen age class 40-60 61-80 >80 Investigated period From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews N. vessels Interviews >400 1 11 1 3 11 1 353 360 7 15 1 Fig. 3.3.5.1 shows the education level of the persons interviewed. Two third of them had a primary level (elementary) of education, even though a considerable fraction (17.4%) of the interviewed had an intermediate level (high school) of education. Education level 17.4% HIGH SCHOOL 69.6% 8.7% ILLITERATE 4.3% TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Fig. 3.3.5.1 – GSA 20 and 22. Levels of education of the persons interviewed. 218 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.5.2 - Characteristics of the fishing vessels Tab. 3.3.5.3 and Figs. 3.3.5.2-4 report the results about the mean characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. All the indicators of fishing capacity (overall length, tonnage and horse power) notably increased over time, while the crew number remained substantially stable. Tab. 3.3.5.3 – GSA 20 and 22. Characteristics of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. From 40’s to 60’s Overall length (m) Tonnage Engine power (HP) Embarked persons Mean 15.5 26.4 50 6.1 St. dev. 4.5 23.9 37.4 2.2 From 60’s to 80’s Mean 19.8 46.7 294.7 5.9 St. dev. 5.7 29.4 244.3 1.9 From 80’s to present Mean 24.8 84.3 426.9 6.0 St. dev. 2.7 39.4 151.5 1.8 Length (LOA) 34 32 30 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 28 26 Length (m) 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.5.2 – GSA 20 and 22. Median overall length (in m) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 219 EVOMED – draft Final Report Tonnage 160 140 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 120 tons 100 80 60 40 20 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.5.3 – GSA 20 and 22. Median tonnage (in MT) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. Engine power 600 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 500 kW 400 300 200 100 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.5.4 – GSA 20 and 22. Median overall engine power (in kW) of the vessels used by the fishermen interviewed over time. 220 EVOMED – draft Final Report - As concerns the on board instruments of the vessels (Tab. 3.3.5.4), a notable increase of the technological creeping was reported; in practical, until 80’s of the last century no technological instruments were present on board to facilitate navigation. Only from ‘80s the vessels were equipped with modern instruments. As concerns the conservation of the fish, most of vessels had already the ice houses in the period 40’s-60’s of the last Century. All the boxes used to store the catches were in wood until 1980; only in the last years has been introduces the used of boxes made in polystyrene. Tab. 3.3.5.4 – GSA20 and 22. Main on board instruments of the vessels used by the interviewed fishermen Radar GPS Echo-sounder Radio (VHF) Ice House Ice production From 1974 1984 1980 1970 1946 1970 From 40’s to 60’s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 71.4% 0% From 60’s to 80’s 8.7% 0.0% 0.0% 74.0% 95.7% 21.1% From 80’s to present 87.0% 100.0% 83.0% 100.0% 100.0% 53.3% 3.3.5.3 - Characteristics of the fishing gear Tab. 3.3.5.5 shows the temporal evolution of the characteristics of the fishing gear. According to what reported by the interviewed fishermen, the mean length of the net did not show evident differences over time, while its mean vertical opening increased from about 1m to about 2 m; the same for the cod end mesh size, which increased from about 15 mm to about 24 mm in the last years. Tab. 3.3.5.5 – GSA 20 and 22. Temporal evolution of the main characteristics of the fishing gear. Note: the mean mesh size refers to the mesh side, in mm. Main Gear Type of net Mean length of the net (m) Min/Max/SD length of the net (m Mean vertical opening (m) Min/Max/SD vertical opening (m) Mean mesh size (cod end) mm Min/Max/SD mesh size (cod end) mm Net material Winches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present Trawl net Trawl net Trawl net 47.1 44.7 45.2 30/70.0/13.3 18.0/70.0/12.0 30.0/70.0/11.0 1.1 1.4 1.8 0.5/1.8/0.5 0.5/1.8/0.4 1.0/4.5/8.0 15.1 17.3 23.8 12.0/22.0/2.2 14.0/32.0/3.6 17.0/50.0/9.8 cotton 100% synthetic 0% cotton/synthetic 0% mechanical 100% hydraulic 0% cotton 17.4% synthetic 56.5% cotton/synthetic 26.1% mechanical 92% hydraulic 8% cotton 0% synthetic 100% cotton/synthetic 0% mechanical 50% hydraulic 50% 221 EVOMED – draft Final Report - As concerns the net material, until 1960, all the gears were made by cotton; in the following twenty years the majority of vessels used nets made by polyamide or by a mix polyamide/cotton. Finally, from 1980 all the nets were made by synthetic material. Until 1980 practically all winches were mechanical, being the hydraulic ones introduced only in the last years. 3.3.5.4 - Main target species, main fishing grounds, fishing season The Greek bottom trawl fishery is multi-specific in its’ nature and is managed by technical measures such as: summer closure of 4 months; spatial closure (within a 1.5 mile coastal zone; several closed gulfs) minimum landing sizes Most of these limitations were brought in action after the mid-80s, however the first regulations were put in action much earlier (1966). At present the Greek fisheries follow the EC regulations (e.g. 1987/06). The main target species on which the fishery is based are: European hake (Merluccius merluccius) Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) Striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) Picarel (Spicara smaris) Bogue (Boops boops) Anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) Deep water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) Caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus) European squid (Loligo vulgaris) Hake, red mullets, striped red mullets and picarels were always in abundance during the 20th century. In the more recent years also deep water rose shrimp, Norway lobster, and more recently also parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) became important in landings; however it is difficult to deduce if this is an actual trend observed in nature or a result derived by the uneven fishing effort in the fishing grounds that host these species. There is an increasing demand for them in the local fish markets. As a matter of fact, demand for Norway lobsters was absent in the early years, while now this species it is the most valuable species in the market. The Greek seas are characterized by deep waters and a very narrow continental shelf, with the exception of the northern Aegean region. This results to the north Aegean Sea being one of the major fishing area. As reported by the interviews, in the first years (from after second world war), the fishing activities were exclusively coastal and in the vicinity of the home ports. However with the introduction of LORAN, GPS, radars and freeze boxes, the boats extended their excursions farther away to grounds for trawling in the open sea. Nowadays, it is common for a trawler to spend over a month away from the home port, landing its’ catches in distant ports, closer to productive fishing grounds. The exploited fishing depths are in the range of 50 to 800 m, however the bulk of effort is exerted in the depth stratum between 100 and 350 m. The deeper hauls are usually located in the eastern Ionian Sea, where deep-sea red shrimps (Aristeomorphea foliacea, Aristeus antennatus) comprise the majority of the catch. 222 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Tab. 3.3.5.6 – GSA 22 and 22. Proportion of trawlers reporting depth of typical fishing grounds. GSA 20 – E. IONIAN Shallow water fishing grounds (0-200 m) Shallow and deep water (0-800 m) Exclusively deep water (200-800 m) GSA 22 - AEGEAN Shallow water fishing grounds (0-200 m) Shallow and deep water (0-800 m) Exclusively deep water (200-800 m) From 1940 to 1959 From 1960 to 1979 From 1980 to present 100% 0% 0% 0% 20% 20% 0% 80% 80% From 1940 to 1959 From 1960 to 1979 From 1980 to present 64% 15% 8% 36% 62% 58% 0% 23% 34% 3.3.5.5 Fishing activity The main fishing season is late autumn to late spring, mainly due to the summer prohibition of fishing imposed in Hellenic waters. However, prior to the enforcement of this seasonal closure, the fishing season started as early as August. As concerns fishing activity, the mean duration of the fishing trips as well as the mean duration of the hauls remained substantially the same over time (Tab. 3.3.5.7), while the mean duration of the hauls slightly increased, from 3 to 3.8 hours, the mean fishing days per years changed from about 180 until 1960 to 194-196 from 1960 to present. Tab. 3.3.5.7 - GSA 20 and 22. Evolution of the fishing activity over time. Mean duration (days) Min/Max/SD duration (days) Mean number hauls per day Min/Max/SD number hauls per day Mean haul duration (hours) Min/Max/SD haul duration (hours) Mean fishing days per year Min/Max/SD fishing days per year Habitual fishing trip From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s 3.0 2.8 From 80’s to present 2.9 1.0/25.0/5.9 1.0/25.0/4.9 1.0/26.0/5.2 3.3 3.6 3.5 1.0/5.0/1.1 1.0/6.0/1.1 1.5/6.0/1.0 3.0 3.6 3.8 1.0/4.0/0.7 1.5/5.0/0.8 2.5/6.0/0.8 177.5 194.3 196.4 110.0/250.0/34.5 150.0/250.0/17.0 170.0/220.0/10.5 According to the interviews, the occurrence of problems with the gear was frequent until 1960; in the successive years it decreased notably, becoming occasional in the last twenty years (Fig. 3.3.5.5). A common problem encountered in the past refers to objects obstructing the trawl net when sweeping the sea bottom. Unreported/undetected ship wrecks pose a major threat. In the early 223 EVOMED – draft Final Report - years the delicate nature of cotton nets was the main issue for worry. Later on, a quite frequent problem was the malfunction of the hydraulic winches. This is the reason why many boats still prefer to use mechanical winches or install both types on board. 1980_2008 1960_1979 1940_1959 40% Frequent Unusual 30% Frequent Frequent Unusual Unusual 5% 95% 60% 70% Fig. 3.3.5.5 - GSA 20 and 22. Frequency of problems with gear over time. According to what reported by the fishermen interviewed, this fishing technique was never practiced by the trawler fleet, not to mention that it is currently prohibited. It was (and partly still is) practised by some small coastal or recreational fishermen in distant isolated islands. 3.3.5.6 Catches of the past compared with that of the present The mean total catches over time, estimated from the information collected during the interview decreased of about 50% from the early to the present periods. (Tab. 3.3.5.8). Graphic representations of the average values in this table are shown in Fig. 3.3.5.6. Tab. 3.3.5.8 - GSA 20 and 22. Catches over time. Estimation of the catches From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s Mean number of boxes per trip Min/Max/SD number of boxes per trip Mean weight in kg Min/Max/SD weight in kg Range of the catch (kg) From 80’s to present 64 52 55 0/600/149 0/600/120 0/600/120 1489 1295 659 0/10000/3600 0/10000/3000 0/4800/1435 Min 0 Max 10000 Min 0 Max 10000 Min 0 Max 4800 224 EVOMED – draft Final Report Mean total landing per fishing day 1400 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range 1200 1000 Kg 800 600 400 200 0 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 Period Fig. 3.3.5.6 - GSA 20 and 22. Median catches in the past compared with those of the present. Pictures of Fig. 3.3.5.7 show the results about perception of the fishermen about the comparison of the catches of the present with those of the past In general, the majority of the interviewed reported no particular differences. Anyway, a considerable number of interviews mentioned catches in the past higher than those in the present: 23.5% for the comparison 1940-1959 – present, 17.3 for the comparison 1960-1979 present and 12% for the more recent years. However, a general difficulty by the fishermen interviewed to estimate the catches of the past or to make comparisons was detected. 225 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 1940_1959 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 17.6% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same Less abundant Not able to evaluate 64.7% 1960_1979 8.7% 0.0% 4.3% 13.0% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same Less abundant Not able to evaluate 73.9% 1980_present 0.0% 4.3% 8.7% 4.3% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same Less abundant Not able to evaluate 82.6% Fig. 3.3.5.7 - GSA 20 and 22. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the catches of the past compared with those of the present. According to the fishermen interviews, it seems as if there was actually no trend in the average catch size through the years. However, most fishermen pointed out that the different mesh sizes used in different periods may be actually masking the true average size trend. Initially mesh sizes of 12 to 16 mm were used, while nowadays this has increased to 28 or even 40 mm. So, although the average size of populations may be declining, the larger mesh size in the recent years targets larger specimens and it cannot be straightforwardly inferred if larger specimen were more abundant in the past. 226 EVOMED – draft Final Report - The graphical representation of the interviews (graphs above), advocate that the fishers suggestions may not be far from truth, since they depict a situation which is somehow ‘unusual’ with no great differences among time periods (Fig. 3.3.5.8). 1940_1959 1960_1979 Larger Larger 4.5% 0.0% More or less the same More or less the same 100.0% 95.5% 1980_present Larger 4.5% More or less the same 95.5% Fig. 3.3.5.8 – GSA20 and 22. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the size of the specimens caught in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.5.7 - Discards The main commercial species discarded are hake, red mullet, horse mackerels and rays. Hake discarding is usually dictated by size, while red mullet is occasionally discarded due to the very low market prices, a result of cheap imported fish from Italy, Albania and Turkey. Horse mackerels and rays are also frequently discarded whenever other more valuable species are abundant in the market. When fish in the market come in short supply (e.g. in prolonged poor weather conditions), then horse mackerels and rays may attain an acceptable “marketable” price. The reason of discard did not substantially change over time; in the majority of cases the specimens were discarded to their no commercial value (Fig. 3.3.5.9). 227 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 1940_1959 1960_1979 8% 13% Damaged specimes Damaged specimes Not commercial specimens Not commercial specimens 87% 92% 1980_2008 8% Damaged specimes Not commercial specimens 92% Fig. 3.3.5.9 – GSA20 and 22. Variation of the reason of discarding over time. 3.3.5.8 - Presence of benthic organisms in the catch Pictures of Fig. 3.3.5.10 show the results about the perception of the fishermen about the presence of benthic organisms in the catch in the past compared with that of the present. Even though, in all cases, the majority of the interviews did not report substantial differences, a clear trend was detected. As concerns the comparison with the more recent years, only 4% of the fishers recognize that benthic organisms were less abundant in the catch, while this percentage was much higher in the past (from 25 to 34%). In spite of this there has been also a significant percentage of persons interviewed that reported lower catches of benthos in the past; according to our perception, this last aspect could be due to misunderstandings with the fishermen which did not correctly understand the meaning of this question. In general, a usual catch of benthos was of sponges, sea cucumbers, crinoids, corals, bivalves and various other invertebrates. 228 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 1940_1959 12.5% 6.3% 18.8% 12.5% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) 1960_1979 8.7% 4.3% 4.3% 30.4% The same The same Less abundant Less abundant Not able to evaluate Not able to evaluate 52.2% 50.0% 1980_present 4.3% 8.7% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) 0.0% Much more abundant (more than three times) More abundant (two times) The same 21.7% Less abundant 65.2% Not able to evaluate Fig. 3.3.5.10 – GSA20 and 22. Perception of the interviewed fishermen about the presence of benthic organisms in the past compared with that of the present. 3.3.5.9 - Periods with maximum presence of juveniles It seems that summer and autumn is the recruitment period for most species exploited by trawlers. This period has not been altered throughout the years and, as suggested by the vast majority of fishermen. Still, a small number of them argue that juveniles are to be found throughout the year, and their presence in the catch is mostly related to the fishing grounds and likely existence of nursery areas and is not due to the fishing season. 3.3.5. 10 - Marketing The main target species on which these fisheries are based have been listed in the beginning of this text. Those accounting for the bulk of revenues can be partitioned in two groups: Group A: Low price – Large quantities caught European hake (Merluccius merluccius) Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) Picarel (Spicara smaris) Bogue (Boops boops) Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) European squid (Loligo vulgaris) 229 EVOMED – draft Final Report - Group B: High price – Small quantities caught Striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) Anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) Deep water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) Caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus) The more economically relevant species did not show evident temporal differences. Only in some cases, as for the crustaceans N. norvegicus and P. longirostris and the parrotfish S. cretense, due to their abundance in the catches, it was reported an increase of the economical importance in the more recent period. 3.3.5.11 – Catches and sightings of species of particular interest The occurrence of incidental catches of species of particular interest (cetaceans, seals, turtles) reported by the interviewed was occasional and did not substantially change over time (Fig. 3.3.5.11). Only catches of dolphins and sea turtles have been reported. Seals and whales have never been encountered in the nets. Dolphin occurrences were more or less stable during the whole period, while sea turtles were absent in the early years. Incidental catches of sea turtles Incidental catches of dolphins 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 never occasional 1980_2008 1940_1959 1960_1979 never 1980_2008 occasional Fig. 3.3.5.11 – GSA20 and 22. Occurrence of incidental catches of cetaceans and sea turtles over time. Never has there been a market for cetaceans, seals or sea turtles in Greece. Consequently, fishermen were not prosecuting them for financial reasons. Nevertheless, before 1970, dolphins were officially considered as pests and could be legally ‘wasted’. It has been reported by numerous fishers, that the Turkish navy in North Aegean was exterminating dolphins in the early 70’s. This pursuit was actually ‘welcomed’ by the Greek fishermen. It was during this period, that an intentional catch of a dolphin school (N=12) was reported (Fig. 3.3.5.12). The dolphins were put to death, and one of them was consumed by the crew on-board. 230 EVOMED – draft Final Report Intentional catches of dolphins 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 never 1980_2008 occasional Fig. 3.3.5.12 – GSA20 and 22. Occurrence of intentional catches of species of dolphins over time. The most frequent sightings reported refer to dolphins and sea turtles (Fig. 3.3.5.13). Whales were encountered less frequently, while seals were rarely sighted. Dolphins were consistently sighted frequently throughout all time periods, without particular differences over time, while seals, whales and sea turtles sightings were slightly declining in the recent years. Sighting frequency (dolphins) Sighting frequency (whales) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 very frequent frequent 1980_2008 1940_1959 occasional 1960_1979 occasional 1980_2008 never Sighting frequency (Sea Turtles) Sighting frequency (Seals) 100% 100% 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0% 1940_1959 very frequent 1960_1979 occasional 1980_2008 never 1940_1959 very frequent 1960_1979 occasional 1980_2008 never Fig. 3.3.5.13 – GSA20 and 22. Occurrence of sightings of dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles over time. 231 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.5.12 - Elasmobranch catches of the past compared with those of the present The main Elasmobranch species caught by the Greek trawl fisheries in the past were: Rays (Raja sp.) Small spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) Spiked dogfish (Squalus acanthias – Squalus blainvillei) Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) According to the information collected with the interviews, a clear decrease of catches of Elasmobranches occurred over time. Even though a significant proportion of the persons interviewed did not report particular differences between the catches of the past and those of the present, this proportion was notably smaller if it refers to the comparison made with the early years (Fig. 3.3.5.14). In addition, more than 50% of the interviewed reported that the Elasmobranch catches were more abundant in the period 1940-1959 than in the present; this percentage was similar for the comparison with the years 1960-1979 but it became very small if the comparison refers to the more recent years. Also the mean percentage of Elasmobranches in the total catches decrease over time (Tab. 3.3.5.9). As concerns the single species, a species that nowadays is became extremely rare and has been absent in the northern regions the recent years, is the smooth hound (Mustelus mustelus). It has been reported in the interviews that once (before 1980), numerous females of this species were gathering to give birth near river mouths of the north Aegean. One fisher stated that there have been no catches of this species since 1990, when the usual catch was about 3-4 specimens per haul. Selachian catches 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 1940_1959 1960_1979 1980_2008 The same Less abundant More abundant (two times) Much more abundant (more than three times) Fig. 3.3.5.14 – GSA20 and 22. Comparison of the catches of Elasmobranches of the past with those of the present. Tab. 3.3.5.9 – GSA20 and 22 – Percentage of Elasmobranches in the catches over time. Mean percentage of Elasmobranches in the total catch From 40’s to 60’s From 60’s to 80’s From 80’s to present 11.4 10.8 9.3 232 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.3.5.13 - Other or ancillary information collected during the interviews It was impossible to collect tally books or a sort of on board diaries. It seems that the fishermen, at least for the more recent period, do not routinely record their activity and catches. In general, the interviewers noticed a general unwillingness when a document (photo, diary, statistic) was required. Most of the old fishermen interviewed are still more or less active in the field due to the nature of the business (family based). Few of them continue to operate a boat along with their sons/ nephews, while others are dealing with fish merchants in the fish market when fish are landed. As a result, their comparisons regarding the situation in the past and nowadays can be considered reliable, since they are very well aware of the current status of the fishery. However, some of them revealed a negative attitude towards the interviewing procedure and openly expressed their discomfort. They are convinced that such types of research, when in hands of bureaucrats not really interested for the future of the fishing industry, end up introducing new limitations in their fishing activities. On the other hand, a few retired skippers were very pleased to hear that they have the opportunity to depict the evolution of the Greek fishery. They even sketched point maps of their major fishing grounds once, and provided rare photographic material (see WP2 Available Historical knowledge report). 3.5.14 - Conclusions: The general outcome of this series of interviews can be summarized in the following lines: Fishermens’ attitude towards the interviewing procedure can be described more or less as sceptical. Most of them have been informed much earlier on the questionnaire and have communicated with previously interviewed colleagues. Older/retired fishermen were easier to get along and more willing to reveal their ‘secrets’. In fact some of these older persons sketched their fishing grounds on a given map. Younger skippers or even old skippers that are still active, gave brief answers and actually started asking than answering questions. The questionnaires were faced as plausible a EU ‘tool’ for enforcing new restricting regulations, and it is likely that some might have given misleading answers that would ease any worries/concerns about the status of the stocks/fisheries. Unavailability of tally books can be attributed to two main reasons: o Unwillingness to cooperate with the interviewers, since they consider tally books as confidential/private information o The absence of a routinely behaviour to record the daily activity and catches o Most of the original tally books redacted before 1990 were delivered (mandatory by law) to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. They were used as evidence in the Hague International Supreme Court to support Greek territorial fishing rights in the Aegean Sea. The efforts to track them in the Ministry failed. Fishermen declared their production in the ‘40-’60 period to be two-fold the catches of the period ’80-present. However when asked to give an estimation of the past situation with today, skippers replied that they did not experience dramatic changes in their total catches throughout the years. It was clarified by most skippers that boxes used in the early ages were much larger (~25kg), compared to the recent ones (~10-12kg). Although most skippers reported their 233 EVOMED – draft Final Report - catches in boxes (rather than in kg), they were repeatedly asked to confirm that these estimations actually referred to the older larger boxes before the 80’s. As a result, although catch expressed in boxes was slightly curtailed throughout the years (65 boxes Æ 55 boxes), actual catches in kg were actually reduced to half (1400 kg Æ 650 kg). The reason behind this ‘optimistic’ view of the fishermen is not easy to elucidate. Probably market conditions are more favourable in the recent years, leading to higher earnings. The average capacity of the boats (length, engine power) has increased substantially Technological innovations have improved both the fishing efficiency, as well as the working standards. Discarding practices are mainly driven by size and market prices Dolphins are the most common sightings of ‘particular interest species’, with their presence being consistent throughout the years Elasmobranches have declined considerably in the fishery and certain species populations are considered collapsed in some regions (e.g. Mustelus sp., in the northern Aegean Sea river mouths). 234 EVOMED – draft Final Report - 3.4 - Conclusions In general, the fishermen approached for the interviews demonstrated interest and wide availability to provide information of their past activity. In the majority of cases, fishermen, once contacted for the interview, were pleased to see scientists looking over their past experiences. The majority of them liked the idea to tell about their past activities and some even got excited when telling about histories of the past. On the other hand, in some cases fishermen demonstrated scepticism; the main criticism was that although lately the decision-making centres such as ministries, government and EC have been asking their opinions these have never been seriously considered and implemented. As a result of this fishermen belief, it proved to be difficult to convince them on the usefulness of this EVOMED exercise. Older/retired fishermen were easier to get along and more willing to reveal their ‘secrets’. Some younger skippers or even old skippers that are still active gave brief answers and actually started asking than answering questions. A restricted number of the fishermen interviewed faced the questionnaire as a plausible EU ‘tool’ for enforcing new restricting regulations and it is likely that some might have given misleading answers that would ease any worries/concerns about the status of the stocks/fisheries. The absence of any sort of fishing logbooks/tallybooks is remarkable. While in few cases the unwillingness of fisherman to share some private documents might have played a role, in general it seems that keeping catch records has not been a regular activity of Mediterranean trawl fishermen. In Greece several original tally books before 1990 were delivered (mandatory by law) to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. They were used as evidence in the Hague International Supreme Court to support Greek territorial fishing rights in the Aegean Sea. Unfortunately the efforts to track them in the Ministry failed. Only two logbooks have been found in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. They revealed useful, but with some major limitations: total biomass is reported without any species detail and the length of the fishing trips can be reconstructed with a certain uncertainty. Therefore, it not easy to use catch data to build reliable and standardized cpue’s. However some data proceeding from these tally books were used for WP5. Most of the old fishermen interviewed are still more or less active in the field, few of them still actively work as vessel Captains. As a result, their comparisons regarding the situation in the past and nowadays can be considered reliable, since they are very well aware of the current status of the fishery. The aspect that more clearly emerged from the interviews in all the investigated areas is the notable increase over time showed by all the indicators of fishing capacity. Engine power is undoubtedly the parameter showing the highest temporal increase: the present values are, on average, up to fiveeight times greater, to those of the earlier periods. The vessels used at present are notably different both in size and in technological equipment to those employed in the past. Technological innovations have improved not only the fishing efficiency but also the working standards. Moreover, the high frequency of problems with the gear and the large amount of time required for maintenance and preparation of the gear reported for the past times were other factors which decreased the fishing capacity in the earlier period. Another evident aspect emerged from the interviews was the reduction observed in the catches over time of some faunistic groups, principally Elasmobranches. In all the investigated area a notable temporal decrease of the presence/density of some species belonging to this taxon, like Mustelus spp., Squalus spp. and Squatina spp was reported to, in many cases, notice their complete disappearance. 235 EVOMED – draft Final Report - It seems that species like Mustelus spp. were notably more abundant at the beginning of last Century and in some areas, as in GSA9, they were also targets of a specific fishery, until 1960’s. In certain areas however, an evident decrease of Selachians was already reported immediately after the Second World War. Another indicator of changes occurred over time in the marine environment was the decrease, noticed by all the fishermen interviewed, of the benthic species in the catch. In the earlier periods high abundance of sponges, gastropods, tunicates, corals, bivalves were quite usual; the reduction of benthos in the catch over time can be due not only to the progressive rarefaction of several taxa but also to the progressive increase of the selectivity of the nets. Also for cetaceans, seals and sea turtles, a decrease, even though in lesser extent, of incidental catches and sightings over time was noticed. The intentional catches of dolphins have been reported only in some areas, e.g. the GSA9, until the 1970’s, with harpoons and for private consumption. On the other hand, in GSA9 the fishermen reported an increase of sightings in the last ten years. Worthy of note is the disappearance of sightings or incidental catches, noticed in many areas, of the monk seal already from the years 1930’s 1950’s of the last Century; the same was reported for the sturgeon. As concerns quantitative estimates of the catches of the past, it appears that fishermen perception of change in total catch over the different time periods is limited. Even though in general trawler captains did not report dramatic changes in their total catches throughout the years, when quantitative estimations were made according to their declarations, a clear decrease of the total catches emerged. In Greece the production in the ‘40-’60 period resulted to be two-times the catches of the period ’80-present; in Adriatic this difference is even more accentuated, only in Catalonia an opposite trend was observed. The question about the quantitative estimation of the catch has undoubtedly been the more difficult, in order to obtain realistic estimates. The perception about the amount of the catch over time could be biased by several factors, as the different discard rate throughout the years (in the past practically there was no discard) and the different gear selectivity. Probably the most important factor that embedded such perception is the confounding of the evolution in fishing power of the trawl vessels. In a broad sense fishermen observe a non-standardized cpue overtime that is biased and the result is no perception in the change in abundance. These results should be standardized to appreciate the real change in resource relative abundance. Finally the change of fishing grounds and gear over time and with yearly and seasonal effects can confound fishermen memories and give no perception of change. A similar pattern resulted for the comparison about eventual temporal changes in the size of the specimen caught, where apparently no particular trend was noticed, in all the investigated areas. The increase of the mesh sizes occurred over time could have masked this perception. Looking at the results of the interviews, other questions not providing fully convincing answers concerned the on board instruments, and the typology of the winches used to retrieve the gear. The interviews performed through EVOMED project constituted the first attempt to collect information in such a way on a wide geographical scale in Mediterranean. It is natural that both the interview protocol and the questionnaire structure require a revision to be improved in the future, to increase the data standardisation and to obtain the more realistic possible results. The information gathered from the different areas concerning the development of trawl gear, fleets and fishing practices is extremely important to build a background of information that is necessary to understand quantitative data, like landings or cpues coming from half a Century ago. Such information was also used to make informed choices in the modelling stage of WP5. For example, based on fishermen declaration a rough estimate of number of fishing days can be reconstructed by periods. Moreover knowledge of fishing depths by period could prove useful for commercial cpue standardization when other sources of quantitative information is lacking. 236 EVOMED – draft Final Report - We consider that the collected results are an important starting point of information, with several interesting aspects, for many kinds of future applications. It is important to point out that it is not easy to draw general conclusions for the whole Mediterranean Sea from the interviews produced by the EVOMED project. In spite of the effort dedicated to carry out the highest number possible of interviews in the widest possible geographical context, the nature of the EVOMED project (i.e. limited duration, limited budget), the vast area investigated, the wide time period covered (about 100 years!) and the high heterogeneity of the Mediterranean fishery refrain us from extrapolating our results to the whole Mediterranean context. 237

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The 20th Century evolution of Mediterranean exploited demersal resources under increasing fishing disturbance and environmental change

The 20th Century evolution of Mediterranean exploited demersal resources under increasing fishing disturbance and environmental change

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