This study describes the composition and structure of discards of the stripped venus clam
(Chamelea gallina) fishery, and the damage caused by mechanized dredges on discarded species in the
Alboran Sea. A total of 106 commercial fishing hauls have been analyzed between March 2013 and March
2014. Samples were collected on board artisanal fishing vessels based in Fuengirola and Caleta de Vélez
harbours (Málaga). The collected fauna was characterized considering the damage presented by using a
three level scale: no damage, intermediate damage and severe damage. Quantitative and qualitative data
were analyzed with multivariate methods for contrasting seasonal variability. A total of 98 species were
identified, with molluscs being the best-represented taxa (e.g. Acanthocardia tuberculata, Mactra
stultorum), followed by decapod crustaceans (e.g. Portumnus latipes, Liocarcinus vernalis) and echinoderms
(e.g. Echinocardium cf. mediterraneum, Ophiura ophiura). Most individuals displayed no damage after their
capture. Echinoderms displayed the highest proportion of damaged individuals, followed by mollucs and
decapod crustaceans. The discard structure and damage on non-target species displayed significant
seasonal differences, with the higher proportions of damaged individuals in winter.Versión del edito
