Is shore-based recreational fishing in Greece an unregulated activity that increases catch uncertainty?

Abstract

In the current study, data on Greek marine recreational fisheries regarding the number of individual recreational fishing and vessel licenses issued until 2014 are given. Moreover, using information from a questionnaire-based survey, based on 52 responses, recreational catches in two localities in the Aegean Sea (GSA 22: Thermaikos Gulf and Alonissos Island) are presented. According to data from the Port Authorities (Hellenic Coast Guard), an average of 86835 individual and 36120 vessel licenses were issued/renewed in the country in 2014. Concerning recreational catches as recorded, in Thermaikos Gulf the mean number of fishing days per year was 81.4 and the yearly catch per fisher was estimated to be 78 kg. In Alonissos Island, recreational fishers spent more days at sea (104 days/year) and their catch was considerably higher (293 kg/fisher), something that could be attributed to the beneficial effects of the nearby marine reserve. Finally, 29 taxa were caught in both surveyed areas, with European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) exceeding 50% of the catches in Thermaikos Gulf, and white seabream (Diplodus sargus), bogue (Boops boops) and brown meagre (Sciaena umbra) contributing 45% of the total recreational catches in Alonissos Island.