Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

General Objective:

Execute and evaluate the feasibility of ecological restoration actions and mitigate the impacts of artisanal fishing on benthic communities dominated by deep-sea gorgonians.

Specific objectives:

1. Mitigation of the impacts of fishing on gorgonian populations.
2. Generation of new gorgonians for the ecological restoration of impacted populations.
3. Information, awareness and education on the importance of preserving gorgonian bottoms through sustainable artisanal fishing.

The MITICAP project has identified the artisanal fishing grounds of the brotherhoods of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués in order to mitigate the impacts of artisanal fishing.

Six fishing grounds along the coast and continental shelf of Cap de Creus were explored and high-resolution bathymetric maps of the area studied were developed. From the underwater robotic cameras (ROVs), the biological composition of the fishing grounds was identified. The communities present in the fishing ground are typical of Mediterranean mesophotic environments, with a predominance of gorgonians of the genus Eunicella and Paramuricea. The presence of Spinimuricea klavereni has been confirmed for the first time in the waters of the Gulf of Lion, when it was caught in fishing nets.

In the dives carried out on the platform of the fishing grounds of Port de la Selva, fine sand bottoms dominated mainly by pennatulaceans and alcyonarians were observed. The rocky bottoms of the deepest shelf were mostly dominated by the gorgonian Eunicella cavolinii, with locally dense populations. Around 50-60 m the community became dominated by E. cavolinii and Eunicella singularis (shallower species), as well as different sponges of the genus Axinella. From 40 m to the shallowest limit of the transects (10-20 m deep) the community was dominated by the gorgonians Paramuricea clavata and E. singularis. Exceptionally, large colonies of red coral (Corallium rubrum) were observed, as well as coralligenous areas and algae fields. In general, the communities observed were in a good state of conservation, but in certain areas the community was partially degraded, with the gorgonians highly epiphyted and small in size. In the shallowest zone (20 m) several areas with scarce animal cover were observed, being dominated by algae.

The fishing grounds of Cadaqués did not differ from the bottoms of the fishing grounds of Port de la Selva. However, communities were in a higher state of degradation and more nets and other fishing gear were found to be stranded on the bottom.

The ROV videos were viewed together with artisanal fishermen in order to improve the management of the fishing grounds. It was observed that both brotherhoods used trammel nets to fish for lobster (Palinurus elephas). The use of the trap was considered as a mitigation measure to be applied in lobster fishing. Three types of experimental pots were used: octopus, with an upper mouth and with two side openings, the latter two without generating any discard. A low catch rate was obtained during experimental fishing.

A total of 44 abandoned fishing gears were observed, most of them large, highly epiphyted and highly integrated into the substrate. Only in a few cases, through the use of the RAMPUGÓ, was it possible to extract and recover the lost fishing gear (two pots, a fragment of trammel net, five longlines and several fishing lines and sinkers).

In addition, several theoretical and practical information workshops have been held on the exploitation of fishery resources and sustainable fishing. In addition, an awareness campaign was developed on the promenade of Cadaqués and guided tours of the facilities of the fishermen’s guild of Port de la Selva and those of Mas Caials to learn about the current state of artisanal fishing in Cap de Creus.