Loading...
3 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- Spatial patterns of fishing activity inside the Gorringe bank MPA based on VMS, AIS and e-logbooks dataPublication . Campos, Aida; Leitão, Pedro; Sousa, Luís; Gaspar, Patrícia; Henriques, VictorIn this study, the fishing distribution and intensity over the Gorringe bank, a large oceanic underwater mountain located in the NE Atlantic, Natura 2000 Network MPA inside Portugal's EEZ is evaluated in the period from 2012 to 2016. Based on the combined analysis of fisheries-dependent data comprising Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and electronic logbooks available for the Portuguese fleet oper-ating within the area, it was possible to identify fishing trips and fishing events and define fishing trajectories, allowing the estimation of the fishing effort and the CPUE at a high spatial resolution. A total of 32 Portuguese vessels were identified to have undertaken fishing activity within the limits of this MPA, mainly longliners based on mainland ports, operating drifting and bottom longlines on a seasonal basis. Fleet-related differences in the distribution and intensity of fishing effort and CPUE for the main target species were addressed. The bottom longline activity concentrated, as expected, around the two seamount summits, where the presence of VMEs and sensitive habitat-forming species have been registered. The analysis of AIS data, the only dataset made available in this study for non-Portuguese vessels, strongly suggests that the foreign fleet operating within the Gorringe MPA represents a significant fraction of the fishing activity in the area. If assessing the fishing impacts is deemed as an important objective in the management of this MPA, then the results obtained in this study can be a valuable contribution towards the environmental protection of this oceanic seamount.
- Preliminary results on the use of semi-floating shrimp traps for the striped soldier shrimp, Plesionika edwardsii (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pandalidae), off the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)Publication . Eichert, Moritz; Campos, Aida; Fonseca, Paulo; Henriques, Victor; Castro, MargaridaThe present study provides an account of an experimental survey aiming at the evaluation of the catchability of the striped soldier shrimp, Plesionika edwardsii, using semi-floating shrimp traps off the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). Currently, this species is not targeted by the crustacean bottom trawl fleet, and preliminary results on product value suggest that this may become an economically viable new fishery. Preliminary results suggest that this fishery could contribute to the diversification of fixed gears of low environmental impact targeting deep-water crustaceans, in agreement with the objectives of both the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the reformed Common Fisheries Policy. However, potential spatial conflicts with trawling. the unknown size of the resource and a necessary precautionary approach may limit the number of licences that can be granted.
- Portuguese fisheries in seamounts of Madeira-Tore (NE Atlantic)Publication . Campos, Aida; Lopes, Paulo; Fonseca, Paulo; Figueiredo, I.; Henriques, Victor; Gouveia, N.; Delgado, J.; Gouveia, L.; Amorim, A.; Araujo, G.; Drago, T.; dos Santos, A.The activity of the Portuguese fishing fleet operating near seamounts of the Madeira Tore geologic complex was analyzed. The main objective is to identify the different fisheries taking place in the area, characterize the spatial patterns of vessels activity and estimate the fishing intensity, thus contributing to better inform management decisions. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and e-logbook data for the period 2012–2014 were used. The combined analysis of these data allowed the identification of fishing events and the estimation of the fishing intensity by gear type, as well as the characterization of general patterns relating to fishing operations. A total of 47 vessels displayed fishing activity in the studied area, mainly longliners based either on the mainland or the Madeira archipelago, visiting different seamounts in fishing trips lasting two to three weeks, and a few pole and line bait boats. Bottom and pelagic longlining alternate throughout the year, the former mostly in spring and summer, targeting the wreckfish Polyprion americanus and the European conger, Conger conger, while the latter is carried out in autumn and winter using a surface longline targeting the swordfish Xiphias gladius and a drifting longline set deeper in the water column, targeting the black scabbard fish Aphanopus carbo. A global evaluation of the fishing intensity and estimation of fishing impact in this area calls for the availability of VMS data, elogbooks and landing declarations from non-Portuguese fleets, making monitoring in these areas a top priority to assess the sustainability of human activities.