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Book (series)Atlas of the maturity stages of Mediterranean fishery resources 2019
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No results found.This atlas stems from an experience on fish maturity staging carried out at the Mediterranean level. It aims to present sound approaches to maturity sampling for a wide range of Mediterranean species, based on an accurate and precise determination of the different maturity stages. It includes macroscopic photos of gonads belonging to the main species, and for some of them, a validation-based histological analysis is also presented. The main categories investigated in the atlas are bony fish, cartilaginous fish, both oviparous and viviparous, crustaceans and cephalopods. Maturity is one of the most relevant biological parameters used in stock assessment programmes. Indeed, the macroscopic stage of gonadal development is an essential feature in estimating the maturity ogive and spawning stock biomass. It is also useful for determining the spawning season of a species and for monitoring long-term changes in the spawning cycle, as well as for many other research needs related to the biology of fish. In current data collection programmes carried out in the Mediterranean which cover extensive samplings of maturity stages, some specific technical aspects have not always been taken into consideration, and collected data cannot reach the required precision levels. Also, the coding schemes in use and the uncertainty in the interpretation of particular stages can give rise to misinterpretations of the actual maturity stage leading to inaccurate spawning stock biomass estimations. Several stock assessments are therefore based on time-invariant maturity ogives and only partially cover the spatial distribution of the stocks. Hence, on several occasions, the need has been expressed to improve the identification of the macroscopic maturity stages through a standardization of operational procedures and terminology. Hence, one of the solutions for overcoming these problems was to develop an atlas of the macroscopic and histological maturity stages of the main species of commercial interest in the Mediterranean. -
Book (series)Incidental catch of vulnerable species in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries - A review 2021
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No results found.Bycatch – a term widely used to refer to part of the catch unintentionally caught during a fishing operation, in addition to target species, and consisting of the discards and incidental catch of vulnerable species – is considered one of the most important threats to the profitability and sustainability of fisheries, as well as to the conservation of the marine environment and ecosystems. Understanding the bycatch issue and adopting effective measures in order to reduce bycatch rates are essential steps towards minimizing the impacts on vulnerable species and ensuring both a sustainable fisheries sector and healthy seas. In the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the incidental catch of vulnerable species – namely seabirds, sea turtles, elasmobranchs, marine mammals and macrobenthic invertebrates – represents one of several challenges for the industrial, semi-industrial and small-scale fisheries that coexist in the region, as well as for the diverse and sensitive ecosystems impacted. Typically, data on this issue have been collected in an opportunistic manner and in ways that make comparisons difficult. The annual absolute values of incidental catch of vulnerable species are not available: studies cover only a small portion of the total fishing activity and often present important knowledge gaps for many types of fishing gear, countries and/or subregions, as well as on temporal scales, for example, to establish reliable baselines. The result is that little is known of the scope of the problem, despite incidental catch being a significant pressure on the populations of vulnerable species, as well as a concern for fishers.This regional review is an attempt to compile, in one single document, all available data and historical records on the incidental catch of vulnerable species in the Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries, obtained from existing literature, databases and other grey sources, and collated in a standardized and comparable way. The main objective is to provide comprehensive baseline information, earmark the main data gaps, as well as identify the most impacting types of fishing gear by taxonomic group. This work is a reminder of the importance of standardized data collection and the need to have baseline information in order to support decision-making in the identification of appropriate bycatch mitigation techniques, thus enabling analysis of their effectiveness and comparison over time and space, as well as facilitating the implementation of relevant conservation and/or management measures at the national, subregional and regional levels. -
Book (series)Allocated zones for aquaculture - A guide for the establishment of coastal zones dedicated to aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea 2019
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No results found.This guide is a collection of concepts and practical information aimed at facilitating the establishment of allocated zones for aquaculture (AZAs) in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It provides detailed information on the process involved in the establishment of an AZA and it is intended as a practical and comprehensive tool to better understand site selection and planning for aquaculture. This publication first provides a brief overview of the international and regional context, and reviews the institutional and legal framework related to AZAs at various levels. Sequential explanations on the AZA establishment process as well as suggestions for the main steps are then presented. The step-by-step approach for the establishment of AZAs takes into account a number of specific aspects, such as geographic information system tools, exclusion criteria and stakeholder participation, the main actors to be involved, the role of relevant authorities in charge of geographical and/or marine aquaculture planning, statutory responsibilities, prevention and resolution of possible conflicts, and decision-making. The guide also describes the objectives and contents of AZA management plans and presents the parameters to be used as reference points for the AZA implementation. It is addressed to decision-makers from relevant bodies and administrations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research institutions, aquaculture producers and fishing communities, as well as other relevant stakeholders involved in aquaculture activities, coastal development, and in the use of the aquatic environment and resources.
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