The University of Huelva is developing a sustainable fisheries management project in the Strait of Gibraltar.

The University of Huelva, with the support of the Biodiversity Foundation, has analysed the real effect of different environmental scenarios on the abundance of the stock of the voracious (Pagellus bogaraveo). That is the main objective of the project entitled “Tool for sustainable fisheries management in different environmental and climate scenarios for the Strait of Gibraltar area (SimFish)”.

Among the dimensions that influence fishing, without a doubt, the most difficult to integrate into the management of this activity is the environmental component. This is a consequence of the uncertainty associated with environmental factors that have a real causality on the variation in the abundance of the exploited resource as well as its forecast at different spatio-temporal scales.

The environmental dimension is extremely important in those areas that, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, present particular climatic and oceanic conditions as this favours high levels of ecological diversity and the coexistence of numerous species that, such as the voracious (Pagellus bogaraveo), have historically been exploited by local communities. The effects of environmental conditions on fish stocks are widely documented, particularly in the case of epipelagic species. Although not as abundant, there are also examples of how changes in atmospheric and oceanic conditions have effects on demersal species such as the voracious one. These effects can also have a decisive impact on the socio-economic structure of the area.

Thanks to the studies carried out by the University of Huelva, it has been possible to develop a tool such as Sim Fish 1.1., which can serve as a support for decision-making by managers and technicians in the management and planning of fisheries resources. The methodology used can also be applied to other areas.