Abstract
In this work we analysed the spatio-temporal variability of discards in the fishery of the deep-sea red shrimp Aristeus antennatus in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. We sampled fishery discards in the fishing grounds of Palamos (the main harbour for this fishery on the Catalan margin), which are located in several areas of a submarine canyon. We found that the discard ratio in this fishery showed a marked seasonal variability, with a maximum in spring and a minimum in summer. Most of the discarded biomass (almost 96%) were of species with no commercial interest. Within these, the most represented group was elasmobranchs, making up to more than 50% of total discarded biomass. Our findings show that the landing obligation established by the EU will have a low impact in mitigating discards in this fishery, as the vast majority of discards are non-commercial species that are not specified in the regulation. Alternative management strategies, such as a temporary fishery closure in spring (when the discard ratio reaches its maximum), should be considered in order to preserve the vulnerable ecosystem hosted by the submarine canyon.
Highlights
Fisheries have an impact on the ecosystems at various levels, as fishing operations affect the targeted fish stocks and a number of species that are caught accidently in the fishing gears
In Europe, discards are currently a hot topic for fisheries management (Catchpole et al 2005, Johnsen and Eliasen 2011, Sardà et al 2013, Condie et al 2014). They form an important part of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which has established a landing obligation that will come into force gradually in the four years (European Union 2013)
There were no discards of the target species A. antennatus, as there is no minimum landing size (MLS) or catch quota associated with this resource, and any damaged individual was consumed by the fishing crew
Summary
Fisheries have an impact on the ecosystems at various levels, as fishing operations affect the targeted fish stocks and a number of species that are caught accidently in the fishing gears These species are thrown back to the sea, dead or alive, and constitute the fishery discards (Catchpole et al 2005, Kelleher 2005, Bellido et al 2011). In Europe, discards are currently a hot topic for fisheries management (Catchpole et al 2005, Johnsen and Eliasen 2011, Sardà et al 2013, Condie et al 2014) They form an important part of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which has established a landing obligation that will come into force gradually in the four years (European Union 2013). Extensive research on discards in single fisheries with the identification of factors shaping their spatio-temporal patterns is required in order to improve discard avoidance and selectivity
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