Abstract
The Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) for continental Portugal was approved in December 2019 and has established a novel framework for those players that carry out maritime activities. In light of this challenge, our work addresses the current status of the fishing activity in the north-western region of Portugal, where relevant small-scale fisheries (SSF) are still well established. Based on official statistical data and a stakeholder survey, structural, economic, and social issues that significantly influence the sustainability of this industry were studied. Throughout the 2012–2019 pre-COVID-19 period, the price revalorization of primary products in first-sale markets was the key aspect that allowed fisheries to partially counteract the loss of economic value associated with the decreased fishing production (a decline of 46% of the total nominal catches). Regarding the regional fishing trade network, the fact that a given species reaches a wide range of prices in closely located major landing ports (Matosinhos, Póvoa de Varzim, and Viana do Castelo) constitutes, nonetheless, an issue that deserves attention and optimization. A survey conducted among training professional fishers confirmed a deeply rooted family/regional tradition but revealed concerns about the future generational replacement. The trainees demanded stronger support from the government, a modernization process for fishing activity, as well as higher social salary standards. Moreover, they assigned a high relevance to the sustainability of aquatic resources. In conclusion, the results shown in the present study reveal a noticeable ability of the regional fishing industry to overcome the challenging economic circumstances that have occurred in the last few years. Against the new scenario decisively influenced by the MSP, a generation of future regional fishers that pursue high social and environmental standards is certainly a solid basis for an optimistic future performance of this activity. For that purpose, a firm commitment to the use of technology seems like a key strategy to adopt in order to further the sustainability of the fisheries in the north-western region of Portugal.
Highlights
The Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) (Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council) is the functional tool by which the European Blue GrowthStrategy [1] intends to achieve an efficient and sustainable development of the maritime sectors [2]
The regional fleet suffered a constant decline in the overall number of vessels
Even though the involved players have recently stated that, nowadays, the conflicts maritime activities are practically nonexistent in the Portuguese NW region, they predicted between maritime activities arenew practically nonexistent in the Portuguese
Summary
The Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) (Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council) is the functional tool by which the European Blue Growth. As evidence of the EU’s concern about the co-location of fisheries and other maritime activities, European funds have recently been aimed at testing useful methodologies for an adequate spatial and temporal management of fishing and aquaculture activities in seven European case studies, including Portugal [11]. Without leaving the SSF as a study target, the detailed assessment of crucial social aspects linked to this profession is very valuable for policymakers, helping them to adopt adequate management strategies in the near future In this vein, the present work aims to assess core issues that significantly influence the sustainability of the fishing activity in the north-western region of Portugal (hereafter named as Region). Sustainability 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW relevant aspects that may eventually further promote or limit the 3sustainability of 19 fisheries in the Region are discussed
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