Málaga Bay is an important area from the icthyoplankton viewpoint where it is possible to
find more than 80 species belonging to 68 genera and 41 families. Furthermore, the bay is an
essential spawning and nursery area for many species of commercial interest, such as sardine
(Sardina pilchardus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), Atlantic horse-mackerel (Trachurus trachurus),
Mediterranean horse-mackerel (T. mediterraneus) or hake (Merluccius merluccius). Local bottom
trawl, purse seine and polyvalent artisanal fleets, have traditionally fished in this bay targeting on
many species of fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. An ecological and fisheries study was undertaken
in 2013 and 2014 with the purpose of assessing the suitability of Málaga Bay as a Fishery Protected
Area. One of the important aspects taken into account is the spatial distribution of the fishing effort
to evaluate its impact in the area. The findings achieved in this study are essential and valuable
information for a proper fisheries management integrating the ecosystem-based approach into
fisheries advice. The results show that Málaga Bay supports a heavy fishing pressure in all the fishing
grounds which may affect both its commercial resources and sedimentary habitats.Versión del edito
