The aim has been to contribute to the promotion of sustainable artisanal fishing practices in the Mediterranean and to promote the exchange of information between countries.

The aim has been to contribute to the promotion of sustainable artisanal fishing practices in the Mediterranean and to promote the exchange of information between countries.

The project has aimed to contribute to the action plan (2008/56/EC) for an integrated maritime policy in the Mediterranean by promoting sustainable fishing practices on benthic communities and promoting the exchange of information on good practices among stakeholders in order to achieve habitat conservation.

The actions developed throughout the project have been:

1. Location of  the continental shelf areas with low pressure from trawling, where fish from artisanal fisheries in Spain, Italy and Tunisia and the delimitation of those areas. 
2. Determination and identification of métiers of demersal artisanal fisheries (combination of fishing gear, target species, geographical area) that are present in the study areas. 
3. Assessment of the impact of artisanal fishing on the seabed and benthic communities by conducting surveys of fishermen and oceanographic studies with remotely operated vehicles. Determination of the conservation status of seabed ecosystems. 
4. Holding meetings with local artisanal fishermen to discuss the results of the research and obtain their support in future management.
5. Developing a series of recommendations to ensure sustainability  of fisheries and benthic communities, agreed with fishermen and agreed upon through stewardship agreements.