Net fisheries'métiers in the eastern Mediterranean: Insights for small-scale fishery management on Kalymnos Island

Small-scale fisheries constitute an important component of coastal human societies. The present study describes the small-scale net fisheries on Kalymnos Island (south-east Aegean Sea) that harbors the largest small-scale fleet in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In addition, this study aims to evaluate their characteristics and economics. Relevant métiers were identified through a multivariate analysis by inputting the main resources and fishing gear data that were recorded during landings. Four main practices were observed being used as fishing gears, gillnets and trammel nets, targeting the species Mullus barbatus, Boops boops, Mullus surmuletus, Scorpaena porcus, and Sepia officinalis. Further analysis, which incorporated data concerning the type of the gear used, revealed 11 distinct métiers. Most of these métiers are practiced by other Mediterranean small-scale fisheries as well, in terms of target species, gear and seasonality. However, the métier that had its target species as B.boops is not practiced in other Mediterranean small-scale fisheries. The seasonal rotation of métiers was determined by the availability of different species rather than their market price. The results revealed the difference in fishing practice used by the fishermen in the study area compared to other fishing practices in the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the fishermen of this study area targeted more species (B.boops) with a very low market price. They also provided essential information for the development and implementation of management plans aiming at the sustainability of small-scale fisheries. © 2019 by the authors

Small-scale fisheries in the south Aegean Sea: métiers and associated economics

Small-scale fishery is a major part of the society and the economy of the coastal and insular areas of the Mediterranean Sea. There has been an extensive interest in securing its sustainable exploitation and viability. This study presents the small-scale fishery of the Dodecanese Islands (Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Patmos, Symi) where the largest small-scale fleet in the eastern Mediterranean is located. The aim is to evaluate the economic viability of small scale fishing fleets, based on calculating economic performance and by using linear regression models. The related métiers were identified by using a multivariate analysis and by inputting the main resources and fishing gear data that were collected during landings. The most important métiers concerning the fishing gear and the target species are: gillnet, Boops boops, trammel net, Scorpaena porcus and Mullus surmuletus, set longline, Pagellus erythrinus, Pagrus pagrus, Diplodus sargus, drifting longlines, Xiphias gladius and handlines, Octopus vulgaris. The economic analysis aims to present a methodology to measure the importance of small scale fishing fleets, on the basis of economic data and technical characteristics of the fleet. The length (m) of the vessel and the operation days were identified as the main factors affecting the gross revenue of the small-scale fishing fleet. Vital information for the development and implementation of management plans was provided by the results with the aim to sustain small-scale fisheries. © 2022 Elsevier Lt

Longline métiers and associated economic profiles in eastern Mediterranean fisheries: The case study of Kalymnos Island (South Aegean Sea)

The small-scale fishery has a high socio-economic importance in the Mediterranean Sea. This is especially relevant for specific areas that harbor, proportionally, very large part of the fleet, and thus, represent hot spots. Among such areas, Kalymnos Island merits special attention as it harbors the largest and most active small-scale fleet in the eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, the present study analyzes the small-scale longline fishery in Kalymnos, using the métiers approach, to assess its dynamics and evaluate associated economic profiles. A multivariate analysis was used to identify the relevant métiers, by inputting the main resources and fishing gear data that were recorded during landings. Six main practices were observed using set longlines, drifting longlines, handlines and squid jig-lines as fishing gears, and targeting the species Pagrus pagrus, Diplodus vulgaris, Pagellus erythrinus, Sparus aurata, Xiphias gladius, Octopus vulgaris and Loligo vulgaris; the above métiers earned a profit margin. The study revealed the multi-species nature of longline fishery in Kalymnos, and provided baseline information for their associated economic profiles, towards the development and implementation of sustainable management plans. © 2020 Elsevier Lt