Abstract
The status of the Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries was evaluated for the period 1970-2010 on a subarea basis, using various indicators including the temporal variability of total landings, the number of recorded stocks, the mean trophic level of the catch, the fishing-in-balance index and the catch-based method of stock classification. All indicators confirmed that the fisheries resources of the Mediterranean and Black Sea are at risk from overexploitation. The pattern of exploitation and the state of stocks differed among the western (W), central (C) and eastern (E) Mediterranean subareas and the Black Sea (BS), with the E Mediterranean and BS fisheries being in a worst shape. Indeed, in the E Mediterranean and the BS, total landings, mean trophic level of the catch and fishing-in-balance index were declining, the cumulative percentage of overexploited and collapsed stocks was higher, and the percentage of developing stocks was lower, compared to the W and C Mediterranean. Our results confirm the need for detailed and extensive stock assessments across species that will eventually lead to stocks recovering through conservation and management measures.
Highlights
Overexploitation of marine fisheries resources is either known or suspected for almost all the commercial fish stocks of the world [1]
The status of the Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries was evaluated for the period 19702010 on a subarea basis, using various indicators including the temporal variability of total landings, the number of recorded stocks, the mean trophic level of the catch, the fishing-inbalance index and the catch-based method of stock classification
All indicators confirmed that the fisheries resources of the Mediterranean and Black Sea are at risk from overexploitation
Summary
Overexploitation of marine fisheries resources is either known or suspected for almost all the commercial fish stocks of the world [1]. This is the general rule, which holds globally. In the Mediterranean and the Black Seas (FAO Major Fishing Area 37), overexploitation has been recently shown to occur for the entire area [5,6] and for specific regions (e.g. Greek Seas [7]). As European fisheries are no exception to the rule, much of the EU fisheries legislation aims to tackle with the problem of overexploitation (e.g. Council Regulations 1967/2006, 643/2007, 1224/2009, 404/2011), including the relatively recent Marine Strategy Framework Directive through its Descriptor 3
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
