Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

General Objective:

Transfer technical and innovative measures that favour the mitigation of the impact of trawling on the slope of the western Mediterranean, increase selectivity and improve the energy efficiency of this fishery.

Specific objectives:

1. To develop two prototypes of fishing gear for the trawl fleet of Palamós aimed at catching red shrimp, with specifications of the characteristics and maximum and minimum dimensions of its different elements.
2. To evaluate the ecological and fishing efficiency of these two prototypes of trawl gear, of different sizes, through pilot experimental fishing tests.
3. To evaluate the feasibility of using pots to catch red shrimp.
4. To improve scientific and technological knowledge for advice to the Management Plan for the fishing of the red shrimp of Palamós (Order APM/532/2018) and to contribute to the future Management Plan of the SCI Canal de Menorca.
5. Carry out dissemination, awareness-raising and transfer of scientific knowledge and innovation actions to professionals in the fishing sector and the general public.

• Design and manufacture of the prototype of drag gear (CPP).
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of these two prototypes (CSIC-ICM).
• Feasibility of using pots for catching red shrimp.
• Informative meetings with the fishing sector for the transfer of project results.
• Dissemination, awareness-raising and knowledge transfer (CPP) actions

The results obtained were satisfactory, concluding that the tension of the fishing gear could be considered as an alternative to regulate fishing capacity in the Management Plan for the pink shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) of Palamós.

The main conclusions of the implementation of the project are:

• Even though there is a regulation on the regularization of engines, in some cases it is not complied with and, on the contrary, there is currently no regulation that regulates the aspects related to the maximum dimensions of the trawl gear in the Mediterranean Sea.
• The dimensions of the trawling gear of the Brotherhood of Palamós are extensive, with a variation of between 31 and 137 meters in total length. There are three classification groups to which they can be eligible: those under 50 meters, with low power, whose length of the fishing circle is less than 50 meters; those with engine power of between 500 and 800 hp, with a length of the fishing circle of between 80 and 110 meters; and boats over 120 metres, with a power of more than 1000 hp and fishing circles close to 160 metres.
• The measurement of the tension of fishing gear in port is comparable to the tension exerted during trawling. It has been observed that for trawlers the voltage is a limiting factor, since it depends on their pulling capacity, which depends on the power of the engine, so that, depending on their capacity, the size of the fishing gear will be conditioned.
• Taking into account the different voltage data obtained, it would be recommended to establish a voltage limit value. Based on the data, it has been proposed that this value is similar to that obtained in medium-sized boats, slightly above 500 HP, but they register very similar voltages to those of lower power, since they use gear with very similar dimensions, not exceeding 100 m in total length. However, the most powerful boats, and those that drag fishing gear with dimensions that exceed 130 m in total length and up to 168 m of the fishing circle, registered an exponential tension. So if we were to apply a limit value similar to that of medium-sized boats, in those large boats it would be advisable to reduce the dimensions of their fishing gear so as not to exceed the limit tension. In this way, fishing capacity and fishing effort would be reduced, also achieving equity among all vessels.
• The results obtained in the pilot NASAS20 experimental fishing campaign for pink shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), using two types of pot, show that this gear is not effective for the capture of this species in the Menorca Channel (SCI). In the 204 pots set on the bottom, between 330 and 600 meters deep, no individual of the target species was captured. However, 40% of pots had other species caught, among which decapod crustaceans of the genus Plesionika, shrimp and Norway lobster stood out due to their greater presence and abundance. Therefore, future pilot actions aimed at addressing the use and impact of pots for fleets aimed at other species could be of interest.

Finally, in order to be able to apply this type of management measures, greater dedication is required and it must be agreed with the sector. Given the short execution period of the project and the complexity involved in defining this voltage limit, it has not been possible to establish a specific value. However, although the project has been completed, work will continue on the next draft of the Management Plan for the pink prawn of Palamós.