Pesca SOS: conclusions

This project has valued the collaboration of fishermen and their involvement in scientific studies in order to work together in the conservation of the resource and the marine environment within the context of the Co-Management Committee of Artisanal Fisheries of Cap de Creus and the future management plan of maritime activities (PRUG) of the Natural Park of Cap de Creus.

The obtained results allow an assessment of the state of the populations of commercial and non-commercial species. They also provide information on the distribution, average sizes and yields in the form of catch per unit effort (CPUE) of commercial species, allowing for fisheries planning and management. Some of the exploited species such as the octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa) show signs of overexploitation.

This project has generated a very important database for future studies of specific species, such as vulnerable species like the grouper (Epinephelus marginatus).

However, it would be interesting to extend the sampling to all months of the year, in order to analyze other factors such as seasonality. Likewise, long-term sampling should be implemented to analyze trends in the state of health of marine resources, both commercial and discarded species.

Regarding the discarded species, although we only have data for 2021 and 2022, a large increase in Astrospartus mediterraneus has been observed, with up to 200 specimens being caught in one trammel net set. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research and control of this species that worries fishermen because of the damage and problems they cause to fishing equipment.

You can find the project report by clicking here (available only in Catalan language).