Viability and Management Targets of Mediterranean Demersal Fisheries: The Case of the Aegean Sea

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 29;11(12):e0168694. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168694. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

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. Utilizing the limited available data, our results demonstrated that, under the current exploitation pattern, the economic viability of the fleets is threatened, particularly if fuel prices increase. Additionally, the biological targets set for the most exploited species, such as hake, will not be met under the current management regime. 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 due to employment decrease. Scenarios assuming selectivity improvements would be also beneficial for the stocks but they showed low economic performance and their application would threaten the viability of the fleets, particularly that of the trawlers.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Fisheries / supply & distribution*
  • Fishes
  • Mediterranean Region*
  • Models, Statistical

Grants and funding

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement MYFISH (number 289257). GM is funded by the commercial company AZTI-Tecnalia. The funder provided support in the form of salaries for authors [GM], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the "author contributions" section. The article does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission.