Ecosystem-Based MSP for Enhanced Fisheries Sustainability: An Example from the Northern Adriatic (Chioggia—Venice and Rovigo, Italy)

Abstract

Human pressures on marine ecosystems significantly increased during last decades. Among the intense anthropic activities, industrial fisheries have caused the alteration of habitats, the reduction of biodiversity and the main fish stocks. The aim of this research, carried out in the Adriatic Sea, was to test a repeatable Marine Spatial Planning framework aimed at enhancing fisheries sustainability through the application of Decision Support Tools and the composition of a catalog of possible measures. The use of these tools proved very useful to identify possible criticalities and facilitate an effective exchange with fisheries stakeholders, local authorities, and fishermen, whose involvement was an indispensable step in the process. Tool-based analyses allowed to assess the spatial footprint of a range of anthropogenic pressures from human activities (e.g., fisheries, maritime traffic, and aquaculture). Within this multi-pressure scenario, special attention was paid to fishing-related disturbances and potential conflicts across different fishing métier and with other sectors. Specifically, results highlighted the spatial features of the major fishing pressures (e.g., abrasion from trawling) affecting essential fish habitats, marine mammals and turtles in the study area. A portfolio of possible management measures is identified for the study area. It provides clear evidence that, in order to mitigate emerging conflicts and cumulative impacts, it is necessary to combine and integrate different types of measures: spatial measures modulated over time, monitoring and control, actions to fill knowledge gaps, concertation—involvement—co-management actions, improvement of governance systems, actions to support innovation in the sector, etc. Given the complex set of measures discussed, this work can provide a useful contribution to the management of fisheries both at local and regional level, fostering the transition to sustainable fisheries.

Mapping small‐scale fisheries through a coordinated participatory strategy

“…Given the frequent spatial conflicts between SSFs and trawlers (Farella et al, 2021) and the paucity of spatial information on SSF compared with AIS‐tracked large‐scale fleets (Ferrà et al, 2018; Kroodsma et al, 2018; Taconet et al, 2019), maps drawn based on data obtained from participatory approaches have the potential to integrate existing data and provide fishery managers with basic but critical information for integrated coastal management and MSP.…”

Looking for a Simple Assessment Tool for a Complex Task: Short-Term Evaluation of Changes in Fisheries Management Measures in the Pomo/Jabuka Pits Area (Central Adriatic Sea)

“…Industrial fisheries, in particular bottom trawling, are known to have important effects on marine ecosystems, potentially leading to alteration or degradation of habitats and overexploitation of marine resources [1]. Proper management is, therefore, crucial to ensure the sustainability over time of fishery resources and to protect the ecosystems [2,3].…”

NAMBER: A biotic index for assessing the ecological quality of mesophotic biogenic reefs in the northern Adriatic Sea

“…(ii) reefs dominated by calcareous red algae and colonial ascidians, Following a previously used approach (Cecchi et al, 2014), the NAMBER index was developed to assess the intrinsic quality of coralligenous reefs that may depend on both local environmental conditions and human pressures. This approach can be considered particularly appropriate for the northern Adriatic Sea, where variable hydrographic conditions and the complexity of the multiple human impacts (Micheli et al, 2013;Cerrano et al, 2015;Farella et al, 2021) make it very difficult to separate the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on benthic assemblages (Falace et al, 2010;Rindi et al, 2020).…”