Fisheries

• Fisheries performance indicators for assessing the ecological sustainability of wild-caught seafood products in Europe, Grati, Fabio ; Druon, Jean-Noël ; Gascuel, Didier ; [et al.]; Environmental and sustainability indicators, 2025-06, Vol.26, p.100632, Article 100632.
  Abstract: The increasing global demand for seafood has intensified pressure on marine resources and hence the need to adopt sustainable fishing practices and promote sustainable products. Raising consumer awareness about the variability in ecological sustainability of seafood is an important tool to facilitate prevention of marine resource overexploitation, minimise the impact of fishing on ecosystems, and ensure long-term renewal of aquatic resources. Here we propose a simple but comprehensive and generic assessment framework with three indicators that inform on the impact of fishing practices on seabed habitats, fish stock status, and bycatch risk of sensitive species for any given product, whether domestically caught or imported, based on publicly available information. A rating scale from 1 to 5 is used for clarity and effectiveness in communicating the respective risks. The indicators provide a user-friendly tool for consumers, policymakers, and industry professionals to make informed decisions about seafood sustainability. Our results show contrasted ecological risks among the main fishing methods, which is crucial for value chain actors for making informed choices that support sustainable fishing practices. Our method enables scientifically proven practices for mitigating by-catches of sensitive species to be accounted for. A clear, transparent, fair and adaptable scoring system can enhance societal awareness and steer the market towards more sustainable seafood products.
   
• Amending the European fishing fleet segmentation based on machine learning and multivariate statistics, Sulanke, E. ; Rubel, V. ; Berkenhagen, J. ; Bernreuther, M. ; Stoeck, T. ; Simons, S.; Fisheries research, 2025-01, Vol.281, p.107190, Article 107190.
  Abstract: Considering the critical issue of overexploited stocks due to overfishing, the EU’s Data Collection Framework (DCF) was established. Within the DCF, member states collect and analyze data relevant to sustainable fisheries management. To evaluate the status of fisheries, it is necessary to categorize fishing fleets into fleet segments. However, the current DCF segmentation is primarily based on technical vessel parameters, such as vessel length and predominant fishing gear, which often do not accurately represent the fishing activities of the vessels. To address this, we developed an alternative fleet segmentation approach that provides a more realistic overview of fishing activities. This approach utilizes multivariate statistics and is coupled with machine learning techniques for automatization. Applying this approach to two decades of German fisheries data resulted in a data set with fewer segments compared to the DCF approach, which represented the actual fishing strategies more closely. The comparison of biological stock health indicators calculated for both the current and the novel segmentation schemes revealed that the current scheme often misses signs of segments relying on overexploited stocks. The machine learning technique applied showed high classification accuracy, with misclassifications being rare and only occurring in segments with overlapping catch composition. Since machine learning enables almost perfect allocation to the revised segments, we expect a successful implementation of this protocol for future fleet segmentation. This approach is highly suitable for data collection and analysis procedures and can serve as a standard tool. Therefore, this novel approach can contribute to the improvement of fishing fleet analyses and policy advice for better fisheries management.
   
• Two realities in the Portuguese tuna fishery: What happens in the largest EEZ of European Union?, Silva, Priscila M. ; Pita, Cristina ; Teixeira, Célia M.; Regional studies in marine science, 2024-12, Vol.77, p.103719, Article 103719.
  Abstract: Tuna stocks are of highest importance because of their large volume of catches, high economic value, and extensive international trade, supporting one of the largest fisheries in the world. Atlantic tunas are regulated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), whose assessments underpin the scientific advice for management. Portugal is one of the top ten countries that have been contributing to the total landings of Atlantic tunas, historically targeting several tuna species and having two different fishing realities. It is one of the countries authorized to farm the world’s most valuable fish and also considered within the ten most important areas for tuna caught by pole-and-line, a highly sustainable fishing gear. Holding the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the European Union (EU), the need to contextualize this fishery is of huge importance. Despite the general lack of information available about tuna fishery in Portugal, the present work represents the first comprehensive review of this Portuguese reality. Landings of most important tuna species have been analysed since 1993, presenting and describing the two different realities for the first time, pointing knowledge gaps, and sparking some future research directions to be applied regionally and globally. It is of upmost importance to leverage other relevant and necessary studies to support the knowledge and management of these ecological, social and economic resources.
   
• When economy meets ecology, is it truly conflicted? A dashboard approach to assess the sustainability performance of European tropical tuna purse seine fisheries, Ougier, Sandra ; Bach, Pascal ; Le Loc'h, François ; Aubin, Joël ; Gascuel, Didier; The Science of the total environment, 2024-09, Vol.943, p.173842, Article 173842.
  Abstract: The development of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management makes the assessment of the sustainability performance of fisheries a priority. This study examines European tropical tuna purse seine fleets as a case study, employing a multidisciplinary dashboard approach to evaluate historical and current sustainability performances. The aim is to enhance comprehension of the interconnected dimensions of sustainability and pinpoint management policy priorities. Using 18 indicators, we assessed the environmental, economic and social sustainability performances of European tropical tuna purse seine fleets, comparing them with other industrial tropical tuna fishing fleets in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The analysis also explored the temporal trend of sustainability performance for European tuna purse seiners from 2009 to 2019. Our results suggest that, compared with gillnetters and longliners, purse seiners and baitboats have a greater species-based selectivity, thereby catching fewer endangered, threatened or protected species, but a lower mature tuna catch rate, thus capturing more juveniles. We identify likely gaps in bycatch data reported by fishing on fish aggregating devices (FADs), due to results regarding selectivity and discard rates that appear inconsistent in the light of the scientific literature. The greater use of FADs, likely caused by the global tuna market, by purse seiner seems result in decreased ecological performances, as suggested by an increased carbon footprint per tonne landed. At the same time, it implies a better economic performance on the short-term, with higher net profit, energy efficiency (fuel consumed relative to monetary value created) and catch. For our case study, Ecology and Economy might seem to be in conflict for short-term perspective. However, consideration of the long-term impacts of FAD fishing and market incentives for fishing on free schools should lead purse seiner fleets to reduce drifting FAD fishing and promote more sustainable fishing practices.
   
• Local politicians have opened up Europe’s largest marine reserve for commercial fishing, Sala, Enric, Nature (London), 2024-08, Vol.632 (8027), p.985-985.
  Abstract: The Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve in Portugal’s Madeira region is Europe’s largest fully protected marine area, having been expanded in 2021 to 2,677 square kilometres, an area larger than Luxembourg (F. Alves et al. Nature 601, 318; 2022). But a decision by the regional authorities to reverse a commitment to ban fishing there puts one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic Ocean at risk (A. M. Friedlander et al. PLoS ONE 12, e0187935; 2017).
   
• Economic impacts of the European Union carding system on global fish trade, Kim, Dae Eui ; Lim, Song Soo; Marine policy, 2024-07, Vol.165, p.106208, Article 106208.
  Abstract: Due to the rise in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the sustainable management of fishing resources is in jeopardy. The European Union (EU) is the first regional player to establish stringent guidelines to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing. The EU carding system administers the mandate for requiring a catch certificate. Using a system of yellow and red cards, countries that export fishery products to the EU are encouraged to lessen IUU fishing in their waters. The yellow card acts as a formal warning, whereas the red card results in an import ban. This study examines the impact of fishery exports to the EU under the carding system. Findings from the structural gravity models show that fishery exports from yellow- and red-carded countries to the EU fall by an average of 23% and 83%, respectively. The computed marginal effects suggest that the yellow and red cards be tariff equivalents of 5% and 43%, respectively. The IUU regulation, as a trade-restrictive technical measure, is an example of effective, legitimate efforts to combat IUU fishing and ensure sustainable fisheries worldwide.
   
• Fishers’ willingness to report incidental bycatches of endangered, threatened and protected fish species: The case of European sturgeon in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, Brevé, Niels W.P. ; Urbanovych, Kateryna ; Murk, AlberTinka J. ; Zwieten, Paul A.M. van ; Nagelkerke, Leopold A.J. ; Kraan, Marloes; Marine policy, 2024-04, Vol.162, p.106056, Article 106056.
  Abstract: Incidental fisheries bycatch contributes to the dire situation of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species. Few published estimates of the severity of fisheries impacts exist as incidental bycatch is difficult to monitor, and reporting can be a sensitive matter for fishers. This paper addresses these sensitivities, the reasons for non-reporting, and possible solutions, using bycatch of the critically endangered European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L.) in the Northeast Atlantic fisheries as a case study. This study comprises 36 interviews with fishers, fisher representatives, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), researchers, and governments involved in European sturgeon conservation from four countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Fishers experience difficult economic circumstances, while fear of restrictions in their fishing area and gear makes them reluctant to report such rare bycatch. Adequate management of the European sturgeon and other marine ETP species is worsened by a lack of governmental coordination, and trust issues fuelled by some NGOs’ communication strategies using iconic species to lobby for fishing restrictions. This paper discusses solutions to strengthen fishers’ cooperation in ETP species research. This would need to include developing a shared vision, clear role separation between stakeholders, communication and trust building.
   
• A synthesis of women’s participation in small-scale fisheries management: why women’s voices matter; Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries; Volume 34, pages 43–63, (2024) March 2024.
  Abstract: While women globally make up nearly half of the fisheries workforce, their contribution to the sector has long been overlooked with implications for fisheries management. To assess women’s participation in small-scale fisheries (SSF) management and related socio-cultural, environmental, and economic impacts, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature (n = 124 case studies). Women had no or limited participation in more than 80% of the examined case studies reporting their participation level in SSF management. Women’s exclusion from SSF management resulted in negative outcomes, whereas their active participation was associated with various positive impacts at multiple scales. Most of the documented impacts were socio-cultural, suggesting a gap in documenting environmental impacts stemmed from women’s participation in SSF management. Importantly, most impacts reported affected the social-ecological system scale, suggesting that gender inclusion may contribute to improving the management of SSF social-ecological systems. We conclude by highlighting the need to foster gender perspectives in data collection methods used in fisheries research, in SSF management, and in ecological research on SSF social-ecological systems.
   
• How COVID-19 pandemic affected fisheries (catch volume and price): A case study in Europe, Seixas, Sónia ; Verdelhos, Tiago ; Veríssimo, Helena; Marine policy, 2024-01, Vol.159, p.105896, Article 1058960.
  Abstract: Portugal, with the highest per capita fish consumption and expenditure in the European Union, provides an excellent case study for examining the effects of COVID-19 containment measures on fishing activity. The present study focused exclusively on data obtained from mainland Portugal, covering the years 2015–2021. The analysis included different time periods: namely, pre-lockdown, during lockdown, and post-lockdown. The primary objective was to investigate and gain insights into the potential effects of lockdown measures on the quantity (catch volume) and price ($/Kg) of different fish species groups. During the lockdown, professional fishermen experienced lower quantities, compared to the average of previous years (2015–2019), in some months (March, April and May), of tuna (−44%: from 85 ton to 47 ton), small pelagic fish (−41.8%: from 4510 ton to 2627 ton), crustaceans (−31.9%: from 94 ton to 64 ton), and bivalves (−33.5%: from 412 ton to 274) being landed. Although prices fluctuated, only crustaceans showed a significant decrease in value (−34.8%: from 14.85$/Kg to 9.68 $/Kg). Groundfish, flatfish, cephalopods, and other marine fish groups did not experience any significant impacts on landing quantities. Although there was some recovery in catch volume and market prices in the post-closure period, indicating a certain level of resilience in the sector, the socio-economic context indirectly exacerbated the profitability challenges faced by the fishing industry due to COVID-19. Given the potential for future socio-economic crises, policymakers (e.g., country government) and stakeholders (e.g., Fishers’ associations, HORECA) should prepare comprehensive and easily implementable measures to strengthen the sector and minimize potential disruptions.
   
• Whose policy coherence counts? Assessing sustainable fisheries in Ghana and the European Union's engagement, Keijzer, Niels ; Galvis, Lina ; Delputte, Sarah; Development policy review, 2024-01, Vol.42 (1), p.n/a, Article e12736.
  Abstract: Motivation Promoting coherence for sustainable development (PCSD) is a key means of implementation for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, yet it has been overlooked as policy discussions have focused predominantly on the financing of the agenda. The literature and policy debates about PCSD largely focus on processes and on OECD countries, and they neglect their political and normative dimensions. This article complements recent literature on PCSD by elaborating and testing a relational perspective on the concept. Purpose To address these issues, this article elaborates a relational perspective that responds to the misrepresentation of third countries as passive recipients of (in)coherent OECD policy preferences. Methods and approach The analysis presented summarizes the literature on the related concepts of PCSD and Policy Coherence for Development (PCD). On this basis, the article articulates a relational perspective on policy coherence that complements other critical perspectives in the literature. Subsequently, it explores the potential and relevance of this relational perspective by analysing how the fisheries policy preferences of the European Union interact with those of Ghana. Findings Overall, the analysis shows that a commitment to sustainable fisheries cannot be assumed for either the EU or Ghana. Furthermore, assessing the responsibilities of the EU and Ghana around sustainability and degrees of adherence is difficult due to the presence of other fishing nations and influences. In the context of the EU's ambitious policy framework, the continued overfishing in Ghanaian waters negatively affects the credibility and justification of its continued involvement. Policy dialogue between the EU and the Ghanaian government and accompanying EU technical assistance have supported changes to Ghanaian fisheries policies, but overfishing continues. Policy implications Discussions on promoting PCSD should be supported by more empirical research into the extent and manner that policy preferences consider by policy‐makers to be coherent with the 2030 Agenda contribute to advancing the agenda in different country and regional contexts.
   
• A fishing route optimization decision support system: The case of the tuna purse seiner; Granado, Igor ; Hernando, Leticia ; Uriondo, Zigor ; Fernandes-Salvador, Jose A.; European journal of operational research, 2024-01, Vol.312 (2), p.718-732.
  Abstract: Fisheries face challenges in improving efficiency and reducing their emission footprint and operating costs. Decision support systems offer an opportunity to tackle such challenges. This study focuses on the dynamic fishing routing problem (DFRP) of a tuna purse seiner from a tactical and operational routing point of view. The tactical routing problem is formalized as the dynamic 𝑘-travelling salesperson problem with moving targets and time windows, whereas the operational problem is formulated as the time-dependent shortest path problem. The algorithm proposed to solve this problem, called GA-TDA*, couples a genetic algorithm (GA), which uses problem-dependent operators, with a time-dependent A* algorithm. Using real data from a fishing company, the designed GA crossovers were evaluated along with the trade-off between the combination of the proposed objectives: fuel consumption and probability of high catches. The DFRP was also solved as a real dynamic problem with route updates every time a dFAD was fished. The results obtained by this approach were compared with historical fishing trips, where a potential saving in fuel consumption and time at sea of around 57% and 33%, respectively were shown. The dynamic GA-TDA* shows that a better selection of fishing grounds together with considerations about weather conditions can help industry to mitigate and adapt to climate change while decreasing one of their main operational costs.

Journals about Fisheries :

• Fisheries Management and Ecology covers all aspects of the management, ecology and conservation of inland, estuarine and coastal fisheries. Topics include the maintenance, development and management of the conditions under which fish populations thrive. It is not available for the latest 365 days of publication but you may ask to the Library for requesting an article in case of need.

Other journals :

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