Trawling fishery of the western Mediterranean Sea: Métiers identification, effort characteristics, landings and income profiles

Abstract

Due to the diversity of fleet characteristics and catch composition in Mediterranean fisheries, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean has placed emphasis on the direct control of fishing capacity and effort rather than catch limitation. This paper aims to analyse the evolution of fishing effort, landings and métiers in three trawling ports of the western Mediterranean between 2002 and 2011. Four métiers were identified, using multivariate techniques, in the fishery: Red mullet, European hake, Norway lobster and Red shrimp. The mean catch composition within the same métier was similar between ports, although the relative importance of species differed slightly from one port to another. Variation in fishing effort exerted was observed between métiers reflecting differences in the importance and usage of each métier by port. Temporal variations were found among different métiers at seasonal and annual scales. These temporal variations showed that métiers Red mullet and European hake were alternated. Positive significant correlations were observed between landings and different fishing effort variables with an exception of the relation between landings and engine power in the Norway lobster métier with negative significant correlations. Significant differences in total vessel length, gross tonnage, total CPUE and total income were detected among the four métiers depending on each port with few exceptions. These findings are considered a keystone for more practical implications and to assist fisheries' managers in the decision-making process. As demonstrated in the current paper, the management of multi-specific fisheries should start off considering the characteristics of each métier separately. In the sound of métier-based management, the patterns observed in the effort temporal distribution between métiers can indicate the most suitable time to reduce effort on specific target species.