Abstract
The extension of the Natura 2000 European ecological network to the Romanian marine territory (1 site according to the Birds Directive requirements and eight sites according to the Habitats Directive requirements, one also being a natural reserve and one part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve) might cause conflicts between the Romanian marine fishery and these sites. In order to minimize such conflicts, the evaluation of the interaction between fishery and the preservation objectives of the Natura 2000 sites is compulsory and extremely important. The assessment of the environmental impact is a key tool of the EU environmental legislation, which is used in evaluating the effect of human activities on the ecosystem. In addition, the involvement of all interested stakeholders in the development of the fishery on the Romanian littoral and in environmental protection will be the key to success in finding viable co-management solutions in the Natura 2000 sites. The present paper aims to examine how the fisheries interact with the marine environment on the Romanian coast in the network of marine protected areas.
Highlights
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are generally designated with biodiversity conservation objectives, to protect fishery resource species or habitats, or with a broader ecosystem purpose within the framework of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)
All data collection and sampling were performed in March-October 2010, the season during which marine fisheries are practiced along the Romanian coast
Other important habitats include coarse sands with Donacilla cornea and facultative Ophelia bicornis, Pholas dactylus and/or Barnea candida in infralittoral soft rock, Petricola litophaga in infralittoral hard rock, Chamelea gallina, Lentidium mediterraneum and Lucinella divaricata in shallow clean sands, Solen marginatus in sheltered infralittoral fine sands, and Zostera meadows in lower shore or infralittoral clean or muddy sands; all these habitats are in critical state on the Romanian littoral and the existence of the Natura 2000 network guarantees their protection
Summary
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are generally designated with biodiversity conservation objectives, to protect fishery resource species or habitats, or with a broader ecosystem purpose within the framework of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). Certain critical thresholds, enhancing the possibility of egg and larval export and adult dispersal, and hedging against natural and anthropogenic disasters and uncertainty; (ii) the conservation of marine habitats, their protection from degradation resulting from fishing activities, and preservation of marine biodiversity, healthy ecosystems and critical habitats; and (iii) the maintenance of sustainable employment and economic activity based on marine resources (Sumaila et al 1999). These are all challenges that Romania must face after adhesion to the European Union and the creation of an MPA network. Small-scale traditional fisheries are practiced, resulting in interactions between fisheries and MPAs that involve the deterioration of specific habitats, bycatch of dolphins, removal of target species, discarding of by-catch and by-catch of sea-birds
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