RECREATIONAL FISHING WITHIN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Transcription

1 RECREATIONAL FISHING WITHIN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN By Toni Font, Josep Lloret & Catherine Piante Slide # 1 The MedPAN North project is cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund.

2 INTRODUCTION This is the first study of its kind in Mediterranean waters which is intended to be of practical use in the management of Rec. Fish. in Mediterranean MPAs Recreational fishing is a booming activity in Mediterranean coastal areas, especially in MPAs Recreational fishing is of huge economic importance which, on occasion in certain locations, exceeds that of commercial fishing Slide # 2

3 There is much less research into recreational fishing than there is into commercial fishing Our definition: all non-commercial fishing that is carried out mainly for pleasure or sport, where the catch - the selling of which is illegal - is used for one s own consumption (or for one s family and friends) Slide # 3

4 OBJECTIVES to define and characterize each of the different types of fishing in the MPAs to define and compare the biological impact on marine resources in the MPAs to summarize and compare the emerging and potential ecological impacts on the marine ecosystem in MPAs to establish and compare the social nature and the economic impact of recreational fishing in MPAs Slide # 4

5 to establish recommendations for common basic methods for the control and monitoring the activity in the MPAs to compare current legislation with regard to recreational fishing in the various MPAs, non-legally binding agreements (such as codes of conduct) and educational programs to propose future management actions within MPAs to protect marine resources and ecosystems Slide # 5

6 METHODOLOGY We have not considered original, raw data to test a particular hypothesis. Instead, we have used existing studies and results Sources: - questionnaires - scientific literature - grey (unpublished) literature - contact via with managers - review of regulations - review of information leaflets and others Slide # 6

7 About 30 questionnaires were answered by MPA managers from France, Italy, Spain, Croatia & Slovenia; 33 MPAs have been mentioned Slide # 7

8 More than 140 documents have been reviewed in and outside the Mediterranean A great effort went into standardizing the data where possible We have compared the different types of fishing (boat, shore and underwater fishing) Scientific literature Non-MPA studies MPA studies Slide # 8

9 Methods of sampling MAIN RESULTS Diverse sampling methods can be used Aerial-access Aerial-roving Roving-access or access point Roving-roving or Roving creel survey Mail or telephone surveys Panel surveys Complemented surveys Slide # 9

10 Fishing techniques Boat fishing involves the highest number of fishing techniques used, and bottom fishing with a rod is by far the most commonly-used fishing technique used by both boat and shore fishermen 450% 400% 350% 300% 250% 200% 150% 100% 50% 0% Fishing techniques (boat) Cala Ratjada Medes Islands 2012 Cap de Creus 2010 Bonifacio Cap d'agde 2006 Cap d'agde Cerbère-Banyuls 2010 Cerbère-Banyuls Cerbère-Banyuls 2005 Slide # 10

11 Fishing effort Experience of fishermen seems to be an important factor to consider (affects catchability and selectivity) Slide # 11

12 Fishing yields CPUE can vary considerably depending on: the year and season the location (reserve, depth and type of habitat) the fishing gear used the fisherman s experience the weather the characteristics of the gear or the type of bait Boat fishing has the largest extractive potential (followed by spearfishing and shore fishing) Slide # 12

13 Direct impacts on coastal marine resources The catch The highest number of different species were found in Côte Bleue (78) and the lowest in Cap d Agde (23) S. cabrilla and C. julis are the species under most severe fishing pressure from both boat and shore fishermen 400% 350% Most caught species (boat) Plemmirio Medes Islands 300% Cap de Creus 250% Côte des Albères % 150% 100% 50% 0% Coris julis Serranus cabrilla Pagellus acarne Trachurus spp Diplodus sargus Boops boops Anthias anthias Loligo vulgaris Pagellus bogaraveo Porqueroles (Port-Cros)* Côte bleue Cap d'adge Cerbere-Banyuls* Archipel de Riou* (Non-MPA) Slide # 13

14 The most common species caught by spearfishers are from the genus Diplodus, Dicentrarchus labrax and Octopus Vulgaris 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Most caught species (spearfishing) Cap de Creus 2010 Porqueroles (Port-Cros) 2008 Côte bleue 2011 Archipel de Riou (Non-AMP) Boat fishing, in general, is responsible for catching more species than the other types of fishing Slide # 14

15 Fish vulnerability In total, 41 vulnerable species have been found to have been caught by recreational fishermen The average proportion of vulnerable species in the catch in all MPAs is about 30%: min. in Côte Bleue with 10% and max. in Cap de Creus, Medes and Porquerolles with more than 40% Boat fishing would therefore seem, a priori, to have the greatest impact on vulnerable species Slide # 15

16 Indirect impacts on coastal marine resources Catch & release does not seem to be a common practice in the Mediterranean, although it is often a difficult but necessary concept to quantify Slide # 16

17 % Baits A total of 11 groups of baits were found being used in the Mediterranean, with a great diversity within each group: worms (Polychaeta) sipunculids fish species (dead or alive) cephalopod molluscs crustaceans bivalve molluscs gastropod molluscs artificial lures 100,0 90,0 80,0 70,0 60,0 50,0 40,0 30,0 20,0 10,0 0,0 Bait groups Other: bread, algae, crayfish, silkworms, chicken feet, etc. Slide # 17

18 Potential effects of exotic baits (e.g. at least 43% of bait used in Cap de Creus was not native to the Mediterranean) Korean ragworm (Perinereis aibuhitensis), American worm (Glycera dibranchiata), Peanut worm (Sipunculus nudus) Slide # 18

19 Lost & abandoned fishing gear It is common for recreational fishermen to lose, or throw away, all kinds of fishing gear, such as lead weights, lines and hooks, plastics, etc. which can cause significant impacts on the marine ecosystem Slide # 19

20 Anchoring Mechanical damage caused to the seabed can also become a significant problem Slide # 20

21 Social profile In general, recreational fishermen are: Men (always >80%) average age of around 47 mostly pensioners, merchants and company employees significant degree of fishing experience (usually >10 years) 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% % men and women (boat + shore) % men % women Slide # 21

22 Low level of knowledge and awareness regarding the impact of their activity on the natural environment Conflicts between different users of MPAs are common Slide # 22

23 Economic aspects The type of fishing they carry out does directly affect their level of expenditure and boat fishing appears to generate the greatest economic impact Average Cost per fisherman 500 to 1600 for boat fishers 200 to 900 for shore fishers 400 to 900 for spearfishers Boat fishermen s spending on fishing gear and boat fuel (*plus maintenance; **gear only) Cap d'adge 2006** Cap d'adge 2008** Côte Bleue* Cap de Creus Illes Medes Çanakkale Strait (non-mpa) AMP/non-MPA Slide # 23

24 Almost none of these studies consider the initial investment in the values Slide # 24

25 Regulations European: to date no specific regulations regarding recreational fishing have been established National: Regulatory efforts are focused above all on: restricting the use of particular fishing gears reducing the fishing effort limiting the volume of catches limiting minimum sizes and weights Slide # 25

26 % MPA: More than 70% of MPAs have at least one no-take zone, but the extension of these areas is rather small (normally <10%) About half of MPAs require some sort of fishing license, but less than 30% require a fee As with national legislation, the type of restrictions most used by managers concern fishing techniques and fishing effort Most commonly applied MPA-specific restrictions Protected species Fishing effort Minimum landing sizes Selectivity of fishing gear Prohibition fishing techniques Closed season Non-native bait Recreational Fishing contests Slide # 26

27 MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS Monitoring the RF (Established on the deficiencies identified in the studies) A series of recommendations that will serve as the first step to draw up a specific methodological guide for monitoring RF in the Mediterranean MPAs Slide # 27

28 Management Enhance the involvement of fishermen in management (co-management) The need to establish an obligatory licensing system for those fishermen who want to fish within its boundaries It would also be of great use if the MedPAN network provided a licensing system that was common to all its associated MPAs The generally small size of the no-take zones of each MPA (<10%), highlights the need to expand these areas where fishing is prohibited Slide # 28

29 To adjust minimum landing sizes so that they are larger than size at maturity, especially in the most vulnerable species The protection of vulnerable species needs special attention To extend the practice of obligatory clipping of the caudal fin of some species (as occurs in France) to other countries Slide # 29

30 Environmental education Elaboration management tools based on propagating environmental values and other information fishermen find useful, such as regulations Specific website on recreational fishing in the Mediterranean MPAs Draw up Codes of Conduct focused on recreational fishing Slide # 30

31 CONCLUSION MPAs provide resources for fisheries, in particular recreational fishing, facilitating the enjoyment of these areas and the development of local economies. For a sustainable use of the sea, further research and proactive management and regulation regarding recreational fishing should be urgently undertaken in Mediterranean MPAs. Slide # 31

32 Acknowledgements Managers, technicians and scientists in the MPAs for their contribution. Specially Nicolas Gerardin, Jean Pierre de Palma, Milena Tempesta and Rita Marino. This work is dedicated to the memory of our friend and colleague, Alex Lorente. Slide # 32

33 Slide # 33 Thanks for your attention!!

34 Slide # 34 Learn more on the MedPAN North stand! Happy Hour at 6pm