Bioeconomic Analysis of the EU Multiannual Management Plan for Demersal Fisheries in the Western Mediterranean. Spanish Fisheries as a Case Study

Abstract

The Multiannual Management Plan embedded in Regulation EU 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019, envisages to reform Mediterranean demersal fisheries to restore stocks to maximum sustainability yields by 2025. This paper leverages a bioeconomic model based on a specific case study of the Western Mediterranean Sea to analyze the objectives of this new EU reform. We complement this analysis with simulations based on alternative management strategies: the reduction of fishing effort of 1-2 days-per-week and changes to selectivity patterns. Effects on artisanal fleets are also analyzed in order to assess scenarios that could achieve sustainability for all demersal fishing fleets. The results reveal that it is not possible to achieve the plan's aims for all stocks. Furthermore, the fishing time established is insufficient, although it would increase economic, and biological indicators for medium-and long-term periods. The best scenarios would be achieved by applying selective changes that provide for faster recovery of biological and economic indicators for trawler and artisanal fleets. The results also reveal that the reduction in the number of fishing days per week complemented with selectivity changes would have a lower socioeconomic impact than a reduction in fishing effort based entirely on fishing days or number of boats. In any case, Mediterranean demersal fisheries require a significant and well-planned reduction in fishing mortality levels over the next several years to recover and maintain sustainable exploitation.

Male Deep-Sea Shrimps Aristeus antennatus at Fishing Grounds: Growth and First Evaluation of Recruitment by Multilocus Genotyping

“…In particular, how the juveniles of these various groups disperse among and replenish regional grounds should be incorporated in the management of potential targets by future regional demersal fisheries [ 54 ]. Currently, output management measures (quotas) are not implemented in the Mediterranean demersal fisheries and ongoing programs involving reductions in fishing time are insufficient to restore and maintain fish stocks below fishing mortality levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yields [ 4 ].…”

“…For instance, in the western Mediterranean, demersal stocks are subjected to high capture rates that are often above sustainable levels [ 2 ]. The blue and red shrimp, Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) (Crustacea, Decapoda), is a typical target fish species of the demersal fisheries of northern Spain [ 3 , 4 ]. The commercial fishing of this species takes place by bottom trawling in submarine canyons, and near shallower waters, at depths of between 400 and 800 m [ 5 ].…”

Evidence for spatiotemporal shift in demersal fisheries management priority areas in the western Mediterranean

“…Fishing activity is not permitted on weekends and the vessels are forced to return to base port with a maximum of 12 fishing hours per day (Bellido, Sumaila, Sánchez-Lizaso, Palomares, & Pauly 2020; Lleonart & Maynou 2003). There are minimum landing sizes for most target species exploited by demer-sal fleets; however they are not fully enforced, which contributes to the low economic efficiency of fisheries exploitation (Colloca et al 2013; Sola, Maynou, & Sánchez Lizaso 2020). Some other spatial and spatiotemporal restrictions are in place, but they are currently rather small and localised.…”

“…Some other spatial and spatiotemporal restrictions are in place, but they are currently rather small and localised. The socioeconomic models by Sola et al (2020) suggest that the maximum sustainable yield level of vulnerable stocks should be achieved soon. However, this goal requires 80% reduction of fishing effort following the current spatial planning, which in practice seems to be unrealistic (Martín, Maynou, Garriga-Panisello, Ramírez, & Recasens 2019; Maynou 2014).…”

“…Approximately 90% of assessed stocks are exploited above the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) limits (Raicevich et al 2018) and it has the highest percentage of unsustainable fished stocks among the 16 major seas in the world (FAO 2000). The socioeconomic models by Sola et al (2020) suggest that in order to achieve a MSY level of vulnerable stocks requires 80% reduction of fishing effort following the current spatial planning, which in practice seems to be unrealistic (Maynou 2014, Martín et al 2019.…”