Catches, sales and discards: Small-scale fisheries in a Portuguese Marine park

Abstract

The natural park ‘‘Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina’’ (PNSACV; SW coast of continental Portugal) includes a recently implemented marine protected area of 2 km along its coast, where important, although not quantified, small-scale commercial fisheries are carried out. Conservation measures were implemented since 2011. The present study aimed to estimate the fishing effort, catches, discards and seasonality of the small commercial fleet in the northern part of PNSACV. A total of 32 fishing vessels were selected and their activity was monitored between 2011 and 2013. Fortnight interviews were made to the captains of those vessels (n= 435) together with on board observations (n= 89). The data obtained allowed to estimate a total of 100 commercial fishing vessels operating in the study area. Longlines, bottom-traps and gill/trammel nets were the most frequent fishing gears used. Over the studied period, fishing effort was more intense in the warmer season, from April to September. It was estimated that the annual fish and shellfish catches in the study area reached about 564 t, including 465 t of sales and 99 t of discards. Main species caught were Octopus vulgaris (65%), Conger conger (12%), Argyrosomus regius (2%) and Diplodus sargus (1%). Main species discarded were O. vulgaris (45%) and C. conger (39%), mainly due to its small size. The present pioneer work will serve as a benchmark for future studies concerning the evolution of the PNSACV and phenomena reflecting the implementation of the MPAs. Further studies should be conducted to implement legislation adjustments to improve fisheries management in PNSACV.