Seasonal dynamics of small-scale fisheries in the Adriatic Sea

The seasonal dynamics of the main set gears used in Adriatic small-scale fisheries (SSFs) - gillnets, trammel nets, and traps - was assessed by analyzing wide array of data including landings, fishing effort, catch composition, length-frequency distribution, and economic value of the landings of target species. Data analysis demonstrated that Adriatic SSFs are diverse, complex and dynamic; that they are active throughout the year; and that they exert a number of important local effects, chiefly the provision of (sea)food and employment. Adriatic SSFs exploit coastal fishing grounds, where the seasonal fluctuation of water column physicochemical parameters strongly influences species abundance and distribution. Accordingly, fishermen use several different types of set gears in the course of the year to catch a pool of target species. Moreover, since they tend to increase the fishing effort when target species concentrate in coastal areas during recruitment or spawning, landings peak in such periods and often include a large portion of juveniles and/or spawners. The study highlighted that modulation of the fishing effort is based on inadequate data and statistics, also given the limited use of routine monitoring programs. The knowledge gap is still a major constraint for most Adriatic countries that induces SSF marginalization and limits their value.