Small-scale fisheries in the south Aegean Sea: métiers and associated economics

Abstract

Small-scale fishery is a major part of the society and the economy of the coastal and insular areas of the Mediterranean Sea. There has been an extensive interest in securing its sustainable exploitation and viability. This study presents the small-scale fishery of the Dodecanese Islands (Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Patmos, Symi) where the largest small-scale fleet in the eastern Mediterranean is located. The aim is to evaluate the economic viability of small scale fishing fleets, based on calculating economic performance and by using linear regression models. The related métiers were identified by using a multivariate analysis and by inputting the main resources and fishing gear data that were collected during landings. The most important métiers concerning the fishing gear and the target species are: gillnet, Boops boops, trammel net, Scorpaena porcus and Mullus surmuletus, set longline, Pagellus erythrinus, Pagrus pagrus, Diplodus sargus, drifting longlines, Xiphias gladius and handlines, Octopus vulgaris. The economic analysis aims to present a methodology to measure the importance of small scale fishing fleets, on the basis of economic data and technical characteristics of the fleet. The length (m) of the vessel and the operation days were identified as the main factors affecting the gross revenue of the small-scale fishing fleet. Vital information for the development and implementation of management plans was provided by the results with the aim to sustain small-scale fisheries.