A bio-economic indicators suite for the appraisal of the demersal trawl fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean)

• Published in: Fisheries research 2008-08, Vol.92 (2), p.255-267
• Main Authors: Ceriola, Luca, Accadia, Paolo, Mannini, Piero, Massa, Fabio, Milone, Nicoletta, Ungaro, Nicola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Demersal fisheries; Eledone cirrhosa; Exploitation and management of natural biological resources (hunting, fishing and exploited populations survey, etc.); Fishery management; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Illex coindetti; Indicators; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Merluccius merluccius; Mullus barbatus; Nephrops norvegicus; Parapenaeus longirostris; Raja clavata; Sea water ecosystems; Stock assessment; Synecology; Traffic light; Zeus faber
• ISSN: 0165-7836; 1872-6763
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2008.01.017

The state of demersal fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (GFCM-GSA 18, Central Mediterranean), years 1996–2003, from a biological, social and economic point of view was analysed using 47 indicators: 22 biological indicators obtained from fishery-independent data through yearly experimental bottom trawl surveys (“Medits” Programme), and 25 socio-economic indicators estimated from fishery-dependent data, available from the monitoring system of the Italian Institute for Economic Research on Fisheries and Aquaculture (IREPA). Biological indicators were applied for “single-species” ( Eledone cirrhosa, E. moschata, Illex coindetti, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Raja clavata, Zeus faber) and for “multi-species” analysis. Economic indicators describing economic performance, productivity, costs and prices, and the overall economic sustainability of fishery were estimated. Social indicators and a general indicator summarising social sustainability were also considered. Indicators’ values were displayed using the Traffic Light system. Both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent indicators highlighted a progressive decline of the trawl fishery system in the GSA 18. This decline was mainly related to the ongoing depletion of the traditional fishery target species (mostly long-living, late-maturing species) partially replaced by the increase of traditional accessory species (generally short-living species), as well as to the reduction of productivity and increasing costs. The whole procedure was proposed as a contribution to the identification and applicability of bio-economic indicators for fishery management purposes.