Viability and management targets of Mediterranean demersal fisheries: the case of the Aegean Sea

Management of the Mediterranean demersal stocks has proven challenging mainly due to the multi-species character of the fisheries. In the present work, we focus on the multi-species demersal fisheries of the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) aiming to study the effects of different management measures on the main commercial stocks, as well as to explore the economic viability of the fisheries depending upon these resources, by means of simulated projections. Utilising the limited available data, our results demonstrated that, under the current exploitation pattern, the economic viability of the artisanal fleet is threatened, while that of bottom trawlers is largely determined by fuel costs. Additionally, the biological targets set for the most exploited species, such as hake, will not be met under the current management. The projections also showed that the only management scenario under which both resource sustainability and economic viability of the fisheries are ensured, is the decrease of fleet capacity in terms of vessel numbers. In this case, however, measures to support the fisheries dependent communities need to be implemented to prevent the collapse of local economies.

TSERPES G.;  NIKOLIOUDAKIS Nikolaos;  MARAVELIAS Christos;  DENTES DE CARVALHO GASPAR Natacha;  MERINO Gorka; 

2018-02-15

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

JRC101567

1932-6203,   

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0168694,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC101567,   

10.1371/journal.pone.0168694,