Abstract
The northwestern Mediterranean region faces two contrasting realities: intensive fishing activity and a rising awareness among citizens of the need to protect ecologically important areas. In NE Spain, a large portion of the Cap de Creus area will be declared a Natura 2000 offshore site, establishing a large Marine Protected Area. This study examines the spatial distribution of artisanal fisheries and their potential impact on key vulnerable ecosystem components (KVECs) in the region. Data collection is based on a questionnaire-based survey in the absence of better records. An integrative map showing potential cumulative impact values for the Cap de Creus region was developed, including fishing gear pressure on selected KVECs. The most potentially impacted areas were found along the coast and on canyon margins. Results showed that different types of fishing gears converge, implying a higher impact on certain benthic communities and KVECs, with the greatest spatial coverage in coralligenous areas, Posidonia beds and maerl beds. When fishing log book and vessel monitoring system data are not available, the use of fishermen surveys linked to geographical information system tools can provide fundamental information for further implementation of effective measures for ecosystem-based management aimed at improving conservation of marine benthic ecosystems.
Highlights
IntroductionThe European policies regarding biological conservation (mainly the Habitats and Birds Directives and, more recently, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive) strongly encourage the development of marine protected areas (MPAs) (IEEP & NRDC 2008)
The European policies regarding biological conservation strongly encourage the development of marine protected areas (MPAs) (IEEP & NRDC 2008)
This study examines the spatial distribution of artisanal fisheries and their potential impact on key vulnerable ecosystem components (KVECs) in the region
Summary
The European policies regarding biological conservation (mainly the Habitats and Birds Directives and, more recently, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive) strongly encourage the development of marine protected areas (MPAs) (IEEP & NRDC 2008). MPAs have been envisaged as a potential tool for conservation and safeguarding of the structure and function of marine systems against most anthropogenic activities that contribute to the decline of living resources (Colloca et al 2004, Griffiths et al 2007, Guidetti et al 2010). Two of the most important ecosystem services observed in the marine environment (food production and maintenance of biological condition) are affected by fisheries. Fishing activities play a role in habitat destruction and accidental mortality of non-target species, changing ecosystem functioning and evolutionary shifts in demography of populations (Pikitch 2004). Benthic habitats are mostly pressured by benthic fishing that involves mobile gears producing physical impacts on the seabed and on its biota (Tillin et al 2006, De Juan et al 2007, Hinz et al 2009)
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