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To improve the state of knowledge on the distribution, biology and ecology of the two species of European alosas in the coastal environment of the Iberian northwest, based on bycatches or bycatches that occur in the coastal environment, in order to propose protection, management and conservation measures for these threatened anadromous species.

1 Assess the problem of by-catch and illegal discards of alosas by the fishing fleet.
2 Evidence the identification errors made in the declarations made by professional fishermen and readjust the catch statistics.
3 To expand information on the biology, ecology and occupation of the habitat of alosas in the sea in order to strengthen the conservation measures of the marine Natura 2000 network.
4 Map the areas of occupation of the habitat of both species on the Galician Atlantic coasts.
5 Identify the areas that can act as reservoirs and transfer this information to those responsible for the management of protected areas at the regional and state level.
6 Train the sectors involved to involve them in the conservation of alosas and in measures to minimize their bycatch.
7 Raise awareness in the fishing sector about the problem of bycatch and the objective of designating protected areas for these species.

The main expected results of the 1MARDEALOSAS project are structured around 3 main axes: evaluation of alose bycatch in the Galician coastal environment, biology and ecology of alosas in the marine environment and management, protection and conservation of alose populations in the marine environment.

Regarding the first axis “evaluation of the accidental catches of alosas in the Galician coastal environment” it is expected to obtain:

-Identification of the Galician fish markets in which the alosa are unloaded.

-Volume and distribution of alosa landings in the Galician fish markets.

-Identification of the main markets for the sale of alosas.

-Specimens of the genus Alosa captured in the Galician coastal environment and unloaded in the Galician fish markets (at least 50 specimens from the main brotherhoods).

– Characterize the problem of accidental catches and discards of alosas based on interviews with shipowners, fishermen or heads of guilds: vessels involved, fishing gear, sale, reason for discarding, destination of the fish sold, etc.

Regarding the second axis “biology and ecology of alosa in the marine environment and management” it is expected to obtain:

-Identification of the specific identity of all the specimens analysed, so that individualised information can be obtained for each species.

-Life phase of all the specimens analyzed, separated by species, in order to know if there are ontogenetic variations with respect to habitat selection, for example.

-Age structure and therefore demography for each species, to know the state of marine populations.

-Correspondence of the marine stock to the continental stock through the analysis of the microchemistry of the otoliths.

-Trophic ecology of both species during the marine phase.

-Mapping, for each species, of the areas of occupation of the habitat (GIS cartography, GPS coordinates, bathymetry and type of substrate).

Regarding the third axis “management, protection and conservation of alose populations in the marine environment” it is expected to obtain:

-Collaboration and participation by the sectors involved, mainly agents of the Xunta competent in fisheries and the fishing sector.

-Mapping, for each species, of areas that can be designated as being of special protection.

-Meetings with the competent authorities for the evaluation of the inclusion of the proposed protection areas in the Natura 2000 Network.