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
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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
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43
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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
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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
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269
269
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301
303
303
304
314
324
324
325
326
328
333
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338
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357
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371
371
374
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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
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421
421
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435
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474
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481
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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).
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. ΓΕ ΡΓΙΟΥ
(ΤΖ ΡΤΖΗ).
Academy, H. H. I. A. (1952) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 11 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΗ
ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν ΜΗΛΟΥ – ΣΙΦΝΟΥ - ΣΕΡΙΦΟΥ.
Academy, H. H. I. A. (1952) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 12 ΣΥΜΠΛΗΡ ΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΗ
ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ Υ ΡΑΣ – ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ.
Academy, H. H. I. A. (1953) - ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΛΤΙΟΝ 16 ΒΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΙΕΥΤΙΚΗ
ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΑΣ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΑΣ Τ Ν ΝΗΣ Ν ΧΙΟΥ – ΛΕΣΒΟΥ – ΣΑΜΟΥ.
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Anonymous (1931-1937) - Tableaux Statistiques - Peches Maritimes. Regence de Tunis-Protectorat
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reports, 39.
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Bas, C. (1967) - Analisis preliminar de la situation pesquera en el litoral de la costa Brava (zona de
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Bombace, G., Cingolani, N. (1986) - Résultats pratique du programme de recherche Étude de faisabilité
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Pedrotti, M. (1959) - La pesca nell'Isola d'Elba. Bull. Pesca Piscic. Idrobiol., 14.
Peres, J. M. (1964) - Contribution a l'etude des peuplements benthiques du Golfe Ibero-Marocain.
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Peres, J. M., Picard, J. (1956) - Recherches sur les peuplements benthiques du seuil siculo-tunisien.
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34
EVOMED – draft Final Report -
moyen Adriatique. FAO Technical report, 390: 172-173.
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Rev. in Fish. Biol. and Fisheries, 18: 1-16.
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Quignard, J., Capape, C. (1972) - Complement a la liste commentee de selaciens de Tunisie. Bull. Inst.
Oceanogr. Pêche Salammbo, 2(3): 445-447.
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Redoano Coppedè, G. (1970) – La pesca nelle Cinque Terre e l’esercizio della tonnara di Monterosso
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Relini, G. (1978) - Campagna di pesca a strascico 1977 sui fondi batiali del Mar Ligure nell'ambito dei
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and Limnology, 11.
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pêche. Bulletin des pêches, 2.
Rogers, S., Ellis, J. (2000) - Changes in the demersal fish assemblages of British coastal waters during
the 20th century. ICES J. Mar. Sci., 57: 866-881.
Roig, E. (1927) - La pesca a Catalunya. Editorial Noray.
Rossi, L. (1961) - Etudes sur le seuil Siculo-Tunisien-Madreporaires - Campagne de la Calypso (Aôut
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Russo, A. (1917) - Il prodotto della pesca a Catania nel biennio 1915-1916 e considerazioni sul
prodotto del decennio precedente 1905-1915. Atti Accademia Gioenia di scienze naturali in
Catania, 9.
Russo, A. (1925) - Studi sulla pesca nel Golfo di Catania. Boll. Pesca Acquacol. Idrobiol.
Salvemini, B. (1985) - Comunitá separate e trasformazioni strutturali. I pescatori pugliesi fra metá
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Settecento e gli anni Trenta del Novecento. Mélanges de l'Ecole francaise de Rome. Moyen-Age,
Temps modernes, 97(1): 441-488.
Sará, R. (1969) - La pesca a strascico sui fondali della scarpata continentale (settori Levanzo e di
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fleets in Tuscany. Biol. Mar. Medit., 13(1): 167-177.
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Direzione Generale Pesca Marittima, 8.
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June-14 July 1962). Proc. Gen. Fish. Coun. Medit, 7: 75-83.
Seber, G., Wilkins, E. (1973) - The estimation of animal abundance. Griffin, C. & Company.
Sertorio, T. (1975) - Ricerche quantitative sulla fauna batiale del Mar Ligure. Boll. Pesca Piscic.
Idrobiol., 30(2).
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Pêches Castiglione.
Sharfe, J. (1960) - Mediterranean trawling fourth report. Stud. Rev gen Fish. Coun. Medits., 10.
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Fisheries, 466 pp., HCMR.
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activitè. FAO GFCM, Technical report.
Soljan, T. (1977) - The M.V. Hvar cruises researches into Fisheries biology in the open Adriatic (19481949). Report of the Istituza oceanografiju y ribastovo-Split SFR Jugoslavica, 1(1-2): 1-13.
Starke, M. (1829) - Information and directions for travellers on the continent. Paris, A. and W.
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Stergiou, K. I., (1987) - Abundance of commercial fish in the Patraikos, Korinthiakos Gulfs and the
Ionian sea, Greece. FAO Technical report, National Centre for Marine Research.
Stergiou, K. I. (1990) - Prediction of the Mullidae fishery in the eastern Mediterranean 24 months in
advance. Fish. Res., 9: 67-74.
Stergiou, K. I. (1993) - Seasonality and trends in the commercial catches of fishes in Greek waters,
1964-1987. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 2: 37-42.
Stergiou, K. I., (1996) - Small-scale fisheries in the South Euboikos Gulf (Greece): species composition
and gear competition. Fish. Res., 26: 325-336.
Stergiou, K. I.. (1997) - Modelling and forecasting monthly fisheries catches: comparison of regression,
univariate and multivariate time series methods. Fish. Res., 29: 55-95.
Stergiou, K. I. (1997) - Selectivity experiments in the NE Mediterranean: the effect of trawl codend
mesh size on species diversity and discards. ICES J. Mar. Sci., 54: 774-786.
Stergiou, K. I. (1997) - The hellenic seas: physics, chemistry, biology and fisheries. Oceanogr.Mar.
Biol. Annu. Rev., 35: 415-538.
Stergiou, K. I., Christou, E. D. (1996) - Modelling and forecasting annual fisheries catches: comparison
of regression, univariate and multivariate time series methods. Fish. Res., 25: 105-138.
Stergiou, K. I., Fourtouni, H. (1991) - Food habits, ontogenetic diet shift and selectivity in Zeus faber
Linnaeus, 1758. J. Fish Biol., 39: 589-603.
Stergiou, K. I., Pollard, D. A. (1994) - A spatial analysis of the commercial fisheries catches from the
Greek Aegean Sea. Fish. Res., 20: 109-135.
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Suau, P. (1977) - Campaña Mediterraneo II. CSIC Barcelona, Technical report.
Suau, P., Larrañeta, M. G., San Feliu, J. M. (1965) - Improvement trials of a trawl fishing ground.
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Sympoura, M. (1998) - A baseline study on benthic species distribution in two neighbouring gulfs, with
and without access to bottom trawling. Mar. Ecol., 19(4): 293-309.
Thomazi, A. (1947) - Histoire de la pêche des ages de la pierre a nos jours. Payot, Paris.
Tilic, I. (1954) - Notes sur la situazione genereale de la pêche maritime en Yougoslavie. FAO GFCM,
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Tortonese, E. (1947) - Ricerche zoologiche nell'isola di Rodi (Mar Egeo) – Pesci. Bollettino di Pesca,
Piscicoltura e Idrobiologia, 23(2): 143-192.
Tortonese, E. (1947) - Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Turin Biological investigations
in the Aegean sea. Nature, 159: 28-0836.
Tortonese, E. (1977) - Quelques remarques sur la faune marine de Tunisie et ses problemes. Bulletin de
l’Office National des Peches, 1.
Trapani, G., (1838) - A catalogue of the different kind of fish of Malta and Gozo.
Tserpes, G. (1999) - Species distribution in the southern Aegean Sea based on bottom trawl surveys.
Aquat. Living Resour., 12(3): 167-175.
Tsimenidis, N. (1978) - The ichthyofauna of the sub-pelagic zone in Saronikos Gulf. Biologia GalloHellenica, 8: 65-72.
Tsimenidis, N. C., Ondrias, J. C. (1980) - Growth studies on the anglerfishes: Lophius piscatorius L.
1758 and Lophius budegassa Spinola, 1807 in Greek waters. Thalassographica, 3: 63-94.
Tsimenides, N. (1991) - Distribution of fishes on the Cretan shelf. J. Fish Biol., 39: 661-672.
Tzanatos, E. (2005) - Composition, temporal dynamics and regional characteristics of small-scale
fisheries in Greece. Fish. Res., 73: 147-158.
Valle, A. (1913) - I principali pescicani del mar Adriatico. Pastrovic, manuale del pescatore.
Vassilopoulou, V. (1997) - Catch data from two areas: one closed and the other open to trawlers.
Πανελλήνιο Συ+πόσιο κεανογραφίας και Αλιείας, Καβάλα, 15-18 Απριλίου 1997.
Vassilopoulou, V. (1998) - Demersal fish community patterns in two areas of the Aegean Sea, Greece.
Italian Journal of Zoology, 65: 293-297.
Vassilopoulou, V., Papaconstantinou, C. (1993) - Feeding habits of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in a
gulf in western Greece. Fish. Res., 16: 69-83.
Vatova, A. (1928) - Compendio della Flora e Fauna del Mare Adriatico presso Rovigno con la
distribuzione geografica delle specie. Regio Comitato Talassografico Italiano CXLII(14).
Vatova, A., D'Ancona, U. (1948) - Ricerche sulla fauna bentonica e loro importanza per la pesca. La
ricerca scientifica, 18(8-9).
Vidali, E. G. (1949) - Contribution to the biology of the anchovy Engraulis encrasicholus L. in greek
waters.
Vidali, E. G. (1950) - On the presence of the fish Myctophum (Scopelus) humboldti (Risso) in the
Dodecanese waters.
Vidali, E. G. (1950) - Study on the biology of the fish Boops boops in Greek waters.
Vinciguerra, D. (1913) - Report on the development of fisheries in Greece. National Press, 38 pp.
Vinciguerra, D. (1921) - Descrizione di tre nuove specie di pesci delle acque dolci di Grecia- Annali di
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Vives, F. (1965) - Trawl fishing on the coast of Tarragona province (Western Mediterranean). Proc.
Gen. Fish. Coun. Medit, 8: 161-171.
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Publicationes Tecnicas de la Junta de Estudios de Pesca, 5.
Zavodnik, D. (1983) - 400 years of the Adriatic marine science. Thalassa Jugoslavica 19(1-4): 40537
EVOMED – draft Final Report -
429.
Zei, M. (1949) - Investigation with trawl in the north eastern part of the Adriatic. Contribution to the
knowledge of the biology and ecology of the benthonic fishes of eastern Adriatic. Slov. Akad.
Ljubljana, IV: 89.
Zolezzi, G. (1940) - Calendario delle pesche nella Liguria Orientale. Boll. Pesca Piscic. Idrobiol.,
XVI(3): 65-90.
Zolezzi, G. (1941) - Su alcuni sistemi di pesca in uso in Liguria. Boll. Pes. Piscic. Idrob. XVII, 35-71.
Zuccagni-Orlandini, A. (1850) - Ricerche statistiche sul Granducato di Toscana - Sezione Ministeriale
dello Stato Civile e della Statistica Generale, Technical report
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Piscic. Iidrobiol., 30(2): 277-288.
Zupanovic, S. (1953) - Statistical analysis of catches by trawling in the fishing regions of the Eastern
Adriatic in 1951. Acta Adriat., V.
Zupanovic, S. (1954) - Les statistiques des peches on Jugoslavie. GAO GFCM, Technical report.
Zupanovic, S. (1959) - Influence of fishing intensity on fish stocks. Proc. Gen. Fish. Coun. Medit., 5:
285-291.
Zupanovic, S. (1961) - Contribution a la connaissance de la biologie des poissons de l'AdriatiqueChondrichthyes. Acta Adriat., IX.
Zupanovic, S. (1969) - Study of hake (Merluccius merluccius) biology and population dynamics in the
Central Adriatic. FAO GFCM, Technical report.
Zupanović, S. (1974) - Fish-Stock and the fisheries of the Adriatica. Acta Adriat., XVI, 447.
Zupanovic, S., Gamulin-Brida, H., Alfierevic, S. (1959) - Contribution to the knowledge of the benthic
fauna in the insular zone of the central Adriatic. Proc. Gen. Fish. Coun. Medit, 5: 293-297.
Zupanović, S., Jardas, I. (1989) - Fauna i flora Jadrana. Logos Split.
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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.
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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).
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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),
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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
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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
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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).
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CHAPTER 3
WP3 - Historical fishermen knowledge
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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
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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.
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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)
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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
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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)
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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).
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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