Description

This project arises from the need to identify as reliably as possible the impact of bottom longlining on the benthic habitats of the Natura 2000 Network. Part of the studies carried out in Action A4 of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project, focused on the study of the impact of fishing gear and climate change on the RN2000, have served to better understand the impact of fishing gear, but have been insufficient in the case of bottom longlining. For this reason, it is proposed to carry out a BACI (Before-After Control-Impact) research campaign, in collaboration with the longline fishing fleet, to identify whether there is an impact and, if necessary, quantify and characterise it. In this way, mitigation strategies can be proposed to maximise the protection of habitats, seeking to minimise the impact on economic activity to make them more sustainable.

The project has been planned in two phases, since the duration assigned for the projects in this call (8 months) is insufficient for the preparation, implementation and detailed analysis of the impact of the bottom longline on the RN2000 benthic habitats. To achieve the first objective (longline fishing characterization), the following activities are proposed:

1. Collect the spatial information necessary for the development of Phase I
2. To characterize the longline fisheries in the SCI of the Avilés Canyon (A2)
3. To analyse the overlap of bottom longline fisheries with habitats, studying the spatial distribution of catches of target species and their economic value in relation to exploited benthic habitats.

It is important to note that during the implementation of this project , spatial data on the catches of the main target species and their economic value will be analysed for the first time. To store and analyse this information, a geodatabase will be developed that will allow the spatial information of the fisheries to be related to the different habitats. In addition, through the shipments in the different types of bottom longline fisheries existing in the SCI, information will be collected on the behavior of the fleet, the patterns of spatial exploitation, list of target and bycatch species, and the technical characteristics of the different bottom longline gears. As a result, an essential tool will be obtained for the different zoning proposals in the LIC. All this will be reflected in a report and in the cartographies associated with fishing activity in relation to habitats.

To meet objective 2 (design of the BACI Campaign) it is proposed:

1. To compile the information available from Action A2.2 INTEMARES regarding the fishing pressure and habitats of the future SCI of Cap Bretón
2. Carry out the designs of the campaigns of the BACI experiment (A5) that will be carried out in phase II, together with the participation of the bottom longline fleet in the study area (to be requested in future calls).

These activities will be carried out with the collaboration of the teams that are analysing the interaction between fisheries and benthic habitats in the future SCI of Cap Bretón and, in addition, the information from the studies of Action A2.2 of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project will be incorporated. In phase II, with the incorporation of those responsible for the studies in Cap Bretón as partners, a more accurate definition of the impact of the longline will be faced, since there will be at least two types of longline (Longline and Stone-Ball), types of benthic habitats RN2000 (“1170 Reefs”) of the continental shelf and slope. and two SCIs (Cañón de Avilés and Cap Bretón). This will mean a substantial improvement in the quality of advice for the development of future management plans. The information obtained, together with the preliminary study for the Avilés Canyon SCI (objective 1), will serve as a basis for developing the tentative campaign plans for the BACI experiences in both SCIs. To this end, the technical and technological needs to carry out the experiments will be defined; candidate fleets to participate in the studies will be identified; the most appropriate experimental methodology for each of the two case studies will be defined and the candidate areas for sampling in the two SCIs will be identified.

Finally, in order to achieve objective 3 (dissemination of the results of the project), a series of informative activities aimed at the general public and the fishing sector in particular are proposed, to communicate the results of the project, as well as the scientific concepts and methodologies used in the advice for the development of the management plans of the SCIs. The activities proposed will rest on three pillars:

• Communication through different channels (social networks, project presentations, leaflet, scientific-informative book of results, etc.), to publicise the project, its progress and its results.
• The creation of audiovisual material in order to publicise scientific concepts and methodologies used in advice for the development of management plans.
• Proximity interaction, through two activities – interviews with the sector in order to carry out shipments and a participatory workshop at the end of the project, which will promote the exchange of knowledge and experience between managers-fishermen-science. All the documentation generated will be very useful both for training cycles associated with the environment as well as to raise awareness and make society aware of the environmental values of SCIs, protection tools and the sustainable exploitation of resources.

See the project