We present the relationships between total (TL), fork (FL) and standard (SL) length for 37 fish species and the relationships between TL and wet weight for 40 fish species from the Aegean Sea (Cyclades; Greece). The relationships between TL, FL and SL were all linear (for all cases: r2 > 0.928). The values of the exponent b of the length–weight relationships ranged from 2.235 to 3.704.

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Despite their geographic proximity, the Gulf of Ambracia and the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago are remarkably different in terms of environmental features, human activities, and dolphin species composition and densities. Interviews of small‐scale professional fishermen (n = 100) showed that younger generations do not see any future in fisheries and that the traditionally‐oriented fishing community is rapidly changing. Fish captures have reportedly decreased dramatically during the last 20 years. The main factors having an adverse impact on the sustainability of small‐scale fisheries differed significantly between areas. Net damage as a consequence of dolphin predation was almost unanimously reported. Hence, fishermen seemed genuinely interested in collaborating in future research initiatives to evaluate the damage caused by dolphins and to explore potential mitigation strategies. Dolphins were not the only animals held responsible for net damage, nor those reportedly causing the largest economic loss to small‐scale fisheries, which was attributed to either sea turtles or the critically endangered monk seal, depending on the area. The fishermen of the Gulf of Ambracia advocated the introduction of measures to curtail habitat degradation as the top priority, while their colleagues of the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago identified fisheries management measures and effective law enforcement as the most urgently needed actions. Given the high dependency of local communities on fisheries, ensuring their sustainability is crucial to providing local fishers with sufficient income. The top management measures identified by local small‐scale fishermen perfectly match the priorities set out within the Natura 2000 network, achievable through an ecosystem‐based approach. Failure to take action in a timely manner may lead to irreversible environmental damage coupled with the need for harsher regulatory measures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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More than 25% of Greek fish farms and 20% of Greek hatcheries of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) are located along the Western Hellenic coast. The part of sea bream production is about 60% of the total production of these species. During the last decade, a spectacular increase in both the number of farms and their production, accompanied by a substantial price decrease and modification of their structure and functioning, has been recorded. These changes resulted in the maintenance in cages of large individuals (more than 500 g) of gilthead sea bream which are potential spawners. The study, based on both the maturity stage and the decrease in individual mean weights during the reproductive period of the species, confirmed reproduction in cages. In parallel, during the last 5 years a remarkable increase (about 80%) in sea bream landings from the fish trap fisheries of the Messolonghi‐Etoliko lagoon, which is a typical nursery for the species, was recorded. The increase was accompanied by a decrease both in price and mean size of the 0‐group individuals. The possible influence of the rearing activities in the area, the density‐dependent mechanisms and the negative impacts of this unintentional enhancement of the traditional lagoon fisheries of the area are discussed.