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MITICAP II shows the importance of planning, designing and developing actions to mitigate the impacts of fishing on marine habitats based on the direct involvement of artisanal fishermen, in this case the brotherhoods of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués.

The actions developed within the framework of the specific objectives set out have been:

• Implementation of impact mitigation measures: two coordination meetings were held with artisanal fishermen from Port de la Selva and Cadaqués, respectively, to improve the mitigation measures implemented during the first phase of MITICAP. In addition, the structure of several fishing gears was modified, incorporating the use of biodegradable materials, and 49 experimental fishing days were carried out that made it possible to quantify the diversity, abundance, and size of the organisms that constitute the discard and the species of commercial interest. It was observed that many organisms that make up the discard die dissected on board the vessels. For this reason, a methodology was agreed with the fishermen to increase the survival of these organisms, returning them to their natural habitat in a short period of time from the moment of their capture. Likewise, it was possible to extract lost fishing gear together with the fishermen, optimizing the measures established in the first phase of MITICAP with the use of new technologies (ROV articulated arm). During the experimental days, the collection of spawns of gastropods and cephalopods was also carried out for subsequent maintenance.
• Extension of the characterisation of the fishing grounds of the artisanal fleet of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués. A one-day oceanographic campaign was carried out, with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). A video-transect was obtained for each of the main fishing grounds and, using the articulated arm of the ROV, a lost fishing gear was extracted. Next, scientists and fishermen met to visualize and identify the habitats most sensitive to the different fishing gears based on the physical and biological conditions characterized.
• Training of artisanal fishermen in the operation of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). The training activity lasted eight hours and the feedback from the participants was very positive and they considered the tool very useful for the extraction of lost and/or abandoned fishing gear.
• Environmental awareness and education days. Theoretical-practical workshops were held in the facilities of the Cap de Creus Natural Park, the Port de la Selva Brotherhood and the schools of both towns to publicize the different mitigation and restoration measures implemented and to show the natural heritage of the area to schoolchildren, the local population and the general public.
• Dissemination of the project. The project was disseminated through press releases at the beginning and end of the project. Information material was published and distributed in the form of posters and leaflets. It was disseminated on digital portals (www.icm.csic.es, www.cpportdelaselva.com) and through social networks (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). Finally, an informative day of the project was organized to the general public and possible recipients of the towns of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués.

Among the outputs presented during the project are the following reports:

• Report on experimental fishing and modifications made to fishing gear.
• Report on the implementation of measures to increase the survival of discards on board.
• Report on the extraction activities of lost or abandoned fishing gear.
• Campaign report (description of transects analyzed).
• Photographs on experimental fishing and the characterisation of the fishing grounds of the artisanal fleet of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués.
• Video-transects for the characterization of the fishing grounds of the artisanal fleet of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués.
• Report of joint visualization between scientists and fishermen of the video-transects for the characterization of fishing grounds.
• Report on the training activity on the operation of remotely operated underwater vehicles, aimed at fishermen.
• Informative leaflets about the project, in Catalan, Spanish and English.
• Report on the awareness-raising and environmental education workshops aimed at schoolchildren and the general public.

This project shows that direct and fluid collaboration between scientists and the fishing sector translates into the exercise of sustainable fishing activity in the short and long term.