Reducing Artisanal Fishery Impact on Marine Community: New Data from Comparison of Innovative and Traditional Gear

Abstract

Fishery resources overexploitation, together with bycatch and discards, have an impact on marine ecosystems. The adoption of technologically innovative gears is a possible solution to reduce the discard and to enhance the sustainability of fishery, mainly in artisanal fisheries that represent about 80% of the EU Mediterranean fleet. In the perspective of fishery sustainability, it is necessary to study and test alternative gears to the traditional ones, also with collaboration of fishers. In the present study, results of experimental fishing activities carried out in two Mediterranean areas with traditional and innovative gears of small-scale fishing are reported. Thirty-four hauls were carried out to compare the catch of two types of trammel nets: a traditional one and experimental guarding net. Additionally, 12 hauls were carried out to compare collapsible pots and traditional pots. No significant differences were recorded between trammel nets in terms of commercial catch and discard. However, interesting differences in discard composition were recorded, with higher Elasmobranchs presence in trammel nets, including species assessed as critically endangered and vulnerable. The use of trapula pots in place of traditional ones showed a lower discard of specific resources and an advantage for fishers in terms of space occupied on board.