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The objective of this project is to make artisanal fishing, especially when nets are used, compatible and sustainable with the conservation of the Mediterranean shag, which is classified as vulnerable at European level. The impact of fishing gear on birds is well known, especially due to their accidental catches. These accidental catches have an impact on the populations of seabirds that seek resources in the sea, but at the same time they pose a problem for the fishermen themselves since they limit their fishing action, steal or damage their catches, and above all have an impact on the effectiveness of the fishing itself.

A1 Fishing activity and mitigation of by-catch. Collaboration and installation of GPS to artisanal fishing vessels, especially trammel and gillnets, to determine fishing areas.

A2 Diet of the European Shag. Pellets will be collected and the diet of the shag will be analyzed at a spatial and temporal level.

A3 Censuses and marking. This action aims to know the spatiotemporal distribution of the shag as a bioindicator predator of the fish stock.

A4 Surveys and recovery centres. Initially, a survey focused on artisanal fishermen will be designed and drafted which, once passed to a minimum of 40 fishermen, will be analysed and written in a specific report comparing the Natura2000 Network areas with those that are not.

A5 Meetings and transversal work. This action aims to bring together all the actors involved in these spaces in a transversal way. From those responsible for the administrations and those responsible for the Natura2000 Network, through the fishermen’s guilds and also the scientific community.

A6 Disclosure. Action focused on the dissemination of the project through the use of new technologies (SEO/BIRDLIFE, UDG and ICM-CSIC websites, and social networks) and the written press.

The project has made it possible to study the interaction of artisanal fishing with the population of shag in the study area with the installation of ten GPS devices on boats. It was observed that all of them anchor near the coast and especially near breeding colonies and resting places, being susceptible to entanglement to cormorants. Thus, thanks to the tracks obtained, the areas of greatest interaction with shag cormorants were observed, which should be a priority when managing and protecting the territory.

A technical review of the mitigation possibilities was carried out, taking into account the experience and ideas of artisanal fishermen in the area and also in other areas, and some initial tests were put into practice to reduce exemplary catches, such as the installation of netlight lights or the use of paired nets, control and illuminated nets and scarecrow buoys. In turn, it has been determined that the bycatch values reported by fixed-net fishermen are of concern for the viability of the populations of shag and shearwater. On the other hand, the study of the cormorant’s diet allows this species to be used as a bioindicator of the coastal fish community.

Regarding the census study, 34 outings were carried out for the census of breeding pairs. The tagging of 26 adults (of different ages) with GPS transmitters was established. For the census in roosts and perches, a 6-day follow-up was stipulated in Blanes, Calella and Arenys de Mar. However, the frequency of the census was much higher and even a census was added in Barcelona. A total of 40 days were dedicated to the censuses, which provided more concise information on the annual dynamics of the shag in this region. By localities, specifically, 12 days to Blanes, 19 days to Calella, 17 days to Arenys de Mar and one day to Barcelona.

With the development of this project, it has been possible to strengthen contact and trust with the fishing sector. To this end, a complete survey has been prepared for fishermen in which 40 professionals participated. Likewise, working meetings have been held with agents involved and communication actions have been promoted in the entity’s channels and in the media. Likewise, the entity participated in several meetings in which the project and/or results were announced, such as the 2nd Ornithological Congress of the Terres de Parla Catalana, where two oral presentations were presented and a scientific article was sent to the Waterbirds Journal. In parallel, a traveling exhibition was designed and two audiovisual pieces were produced about the project.