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Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) are crucial for global food security and cultural heritage, however, information on their spatial distribution and practices are often lacking, precluding effective management and mitigation of ecological impacts. This is acutely the case in the eastern Mediterranean basin, where, despite concerns being raised regarding the magnitude of marine turtle bycatch in SSFs over two decades ago, a poor understanding of the fishery persists. To address this knowledge gap, we characterised the SSF fleet of Northern Cyprus through a combination of onboard observations, fisher self-reporting and vessel tracking to provide the first comprehensive overview of the fishery. Northern Cyprus had a fleet size, standardised by coastline length, ranked 14th of 23 Mediterranean fleets assessed, with an estimated 49542 and 57198 fishing days in total in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Vessels operated mainly over the continental shelf (< 200 m) and were predominantly active during the night (53.2%, n = 573378 locations). Clear crepuscular peaks in vessel activity and gear deployment raise concerns over spatiotemporal overlap with vulnerable species, even within MPAs previously established to protect them. Fishers (n = 1296 fishing operations) predominantly utilised static and demersal gear types including gill nets (35.0%), trammel nets (27.3%), trammel and gill nets combined (20.3%), demersal longlines (17.0%) and handlines (0.5%). Landings composition was highly diverse with a minimum of 238 different taxa identified, including, but not limited to, 123 species of bony fish, 22 elasmobranch species, 3 marine turtle species and 12 mollusc species of which 18.6% are considered threatened either at a Mediterranean or global scale. However, over 70.0% of total landing mass was comprised of only five species including bogue (Boops boops), picarel (Spicara smaris), blotched picarel (Spicara maena), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and Mediterranean parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense). As the most up to date and detailed understanding of this fishery's operating behaviours, our research compares the results obtained from onboard observer and self-reporting fisher sampling methodologies and discusses the caveats of each and identifies potential opportunities to adapt existing practices and MPAs to improve long-term sustainability of the fishery, whilst maintaining its socio-economic benefits to the local community. • Multidisciplinary approach to assess fishery operating behaviours and landings. • Landings included 25 species of marine turtles and elasmobranchs. • Crepuscular peaks in daily fishing activity profiles. • Vessel activity spatially overlaps with established protected areas. • Opportunities to adapt existing practices and protected areas are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age and growth rate of the giant electric ray, Narcine entemedor, was estimated using growth bands deposited in the vertebral centra of 245 specimens. Differences in size and age distribution were found between the sexes, a pattern that suggests the annual deposition of band pairs, possibly occurring in April. Multimodel inference and back-calculation were performed to three age data sets of females considering their reproductive cycle and time of capture, among which the von Bertalanffy growth function was found to be the most appropriate (L∞ = 81.87 cm TL, k = 0.17 year−1). Our research supports the idea that age can be determined via biological features such as birth date and growth band periodicity. We concluded that N. entemedor is of a moderate body size, moderate longevity and is a fast-growing elasmobranch species.

A Mexican federal agency, FONATUR, is planning a development project in Loreto, Baja California Sur, which will cause a ten-fold increase in the population and significant urban development along the coast.  The development planned for Loreto will take place along the western boundary of the National Marine Park Bay of Loreto (NMPBL), which was established to manage renewable and nonrenewable resources and to restore critical habitats. The park is home to commercial and sport fishing as well as ecotourism. Growths in tourism and in resident populations of the Loreto region will likely result in an increase in demand for fish. As the fleets of commercial and artisanal fisheries grow, the increase in fishing effort will intensify pressure on already overexploited local fish stocks. In addition, coastal development and pollution can result in the modification of areas that can serve as potential recruitment habitat for important fisheries species. In order to support any type of development in the area, management officials and city and government officials need to regulate and control all activities that impact the region’s natural resource stocks. The most urgent need is the establishment of ecosystem-based fisheries management, and officials must find an effective way to implement and enforce this management scheme. Conservation of critical habitats and spawning aggregations should be among the most important issues to address since their protection ensures replenishment of adult populations of target species.

Sulu and Sulawesi Seas are in the heart of the coral triangle, the location of the world’s greatest marine biodiversity. For this reason, many non-government organizations have large conservation projects in this area, but they are working in the absence of historical baselines. Historical ecology is a discipline that addresses biological change due to human interactions with nature, and can be used as a tool to gain insight for conservation decisions. Conservation plans have not traditionally included a historical ecology study in their methodology, which is a primary reason that many marine management and conservation attempts have failed.The scope of this project was to assess historical fishing efforts in Malaysia to provide a perspective for management and restoration of coastal marine systems. This study intends to illuminate changes in ecosystem structure, which have occurred over centuries, in order to increase the chances of success in the region. For this project, historical data was mined with the intent to uncover the ecological stories associated with centuries of marine resource use, and to provide this historical background to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This information will add to WWF’s existing knowledge of the area, and will help experts establish conservation goals aimed at reversing the trajectory of decline.

The Gambian and Malian fisheries and fish processing value chains are predominantly artisanal and represent a key source of protein and livelihoods, yet their eco-efficiency has not been studied to date. A Life Cycle Assessment was used to estimate the associated environmental impacts of those value chains and provide information on the eco-efficiency indicators, which relate technical efficiencies to environmental impacts. The results showed that industrial Gambian fleets’ fuel use efficiency is rather low as compared with the global mean fuel use intensity (landed fish/consumed fuel) for both small pelagics and demersal fish. In Mali, the fuel use intensity of motorised artisanal fisheries is lower than the mean values for artisanal inland fisheries in developing countries, but the important increase of frozen imported fish from fish farming multiplies the estimated impacts by four. The least energy-intensive fisheries (cast nets and stow nets in Gambia and opportunistic fishers in Mali) feature better eco-efficiency scores. Based on the identified sources of inefficiencies, we suggest improvements in the landing/processing infrastructure and fishing units’ engines, coupled with technical and business training and improved processing methods, to ameliorate seafood eco-efficiency and a stronger recognition of the importance of the artisanal fisheries subsector to overcome challenges and improving resource management.

Abstract Small‐scale fisheries provide an essential source of food and employment for coastal communities, yet the availability of detailed information on the spatiotemporal distribution of fishing effort to support resource management at a country level is scarce. Here, using a national‐scale study in the Republic of Congo, we engaged with fishers from 23 of 28 small‐scale fisheries landing sites along the coast to demonstrate how combining community engagement and relatively low cost Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers can rapidly provide fine‐scale information on: (1) the behavioral dynamics of the fishers and fleets that operate within this sector; and (2) the location, size and attributes of important fishing grounds upon which communities are dependent. This multidisciplinary approach should be considered within a global context where uncertainty over the behavior of marine and terrestrial resource‐users can lead to management decisions that potentially compromise local livelihoods, conservation, and resource sustainability goals.

The study aimed to diagnose the richness and abundance of fish and shrimp of commercial use in the complex of islands Cananéia-Iguape-Ilha, through interviews with fishermen. For the study, questionnaires were applied to fishermen located in the Port of Cubatão and surroundings. The questionnaire was structured in order to raise the angler identification data such as age and years of work in the fishing, fishing activities (fishing location, length of vessel, type of fishing equipment used), quantity, size, species caught, species presence with roe and accompanying fauna captured. At the end of the questionnaires was obtained a total of 28 respondents, over two starts in the month of July 2015. Data were tabulated in Microsoft ® Excel 2003 software. The species most frequently cited were Hake (24.53%) and Corvina (20.75%), and those most difficult to find were: Dogfish (32.35%) and shrimp (14.70%). The trash was quoted in 96.43% of the responses. Approximately 46.43% of respondents said capturing individuals of all sizes (calf, juvenile and adult). Regarding the accompanying fauna, cited as: jellyfish, seahorse, various mollusks, turtles, dolphin, starfish, sponge, penguin and birds. Therefore, it is concluded that the complex of islands, still preserving the richness of the fish fauna. However, some species such as Dogfish, Carcharhinus plumbeus, Shrimp, Penaeus sp. and Boto, Eurytium limosum; present evidence for the decrease in abundance in this ecosystem.

Here, we present a gillnet survey of Lake Liambezi a 370 km2 shallow ephemeral floodplain lake situated in north‐eastern Namibia, which is fed irregularly by the upper Zambezi and Kwando Rivers during years of high flooding. The lake dried up in 1985 and, with the exception of sporadic minor annual inundation events, remained dry until 2007. We describe the temporal succession of fish species over an 8 year period from initial inundation 2007 to maturation in 2014. The succession of the fish community did not follow the typical pattern of opportunistic strategists during colonisation, to periodic strategists that are eventually succeeded by equilibrium strategists. Instead, the evolution of the fish community was characterised by three distinct phases. The first phase involved the inundation and colonisation of the lake in 2007, followed by its decline until the floods that filled the lake in 2009. During this phase the lake was colonised by fishes from the adjacent upper Zambezi and Chobe River floodplains. Fish communities predominantly comprised floodplain specialists including the barbs Enteromius paludinosus and Enteromius poechii, the mormyrid Marcusenius altisambesi and catfishes Schilbe intermedius and Clarias gariepinus. The filling of the lake in the March 2009 floods marked the beginning of the second, successional phase. The barbs declined in abundance and the alestid Rhabdalestes maunensis underwent explosive population growth between 2009 and 2010, but populations crashed equally rapidly and were replaced by Brycinus lateralis which, together with S. intermedius went on to dominate the fish community 2011–2014. Larger, slower growing tilapiine cichlids increased steadily in abundance and became the dominant components in a 2700 t y–1 artisanal fishery that developed on the lake. The fish community in the ephemeral Lake Liambezi is clearly influenced by numerous factors including connectivity, lake level fluctuations, competition and the effects of fishing, which may disrupt typical succession processes in floodplain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian-endemic greenbeack parrotfish, Scarus trispinosus Valenciennes, 1840, is the largest herbivorous reef fish in the South Atlantic. Following the sharp decline of large carnivorous reef fishes, parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarinae) were progressively targeted by commercial fisheries in Brazil, resulting in a global population decline of 50% for S. trispinosus. Most of its remnant population is concentrated in the Abrolhos Bank, where the present study was conducted. We present novel information on age, growth and the reproductive cycle of S. trispinosus, based on 814 individuals obtained from commercial fisheries' landings and scientific collections, between 2010 and 2013. Sex ratio was biased toward females (1:8), and spawning occurred yearround with discrete peaks in February-March and June-December. Increment analysis indicated annual deposition of growth rings in otoliths, which presented 1-22 rings. The asymptotic length at which growth is zero (L1) was estimated from a Bayesian logistic regression at 85.28 cm, growth rate (K) at 0.14 year-1, and the theoretical age at zero size (t0) at 0.16. Subregional demographic structuring was detected, with predominance of slower-growing individuals in shallower inshore reefs and predominance of faster-growing and older individuals in deeper offshore sites. We demonstrate that S. trispinosus is highly vulnerable to over-exploitation due to its large size, long live and slow-growth, and review the management measures proposed since its Red List assessment in 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February and March 2017, a coastal El Niño caused extraordinary heavy rains and a rise in water temperatures along the coast of northern Peru. In this work, we document the impacts of this phenomenon on the artisanal fisheries and the scallop aquaculture sector, both of which represent important socio-economic activities for the province of Sechura. Despite the perceived absence of effective disaster management and rehabilitation policies, resource users opted for a wide range of different adaptation strategies and are currently striving towards recovery. One year after the event, the artisanal fisheries fleet has returned to operating almost on a normal scale, while the aquaculture sector is still drastically impacted, with many people continuing to work in different economic sectors and even in other regions of the country. Recovery of the social-ecological system of Sechura likely depends on the occurrence of scallop seed and the financial capacity of small-scale producers to reinitiate scallop cultures. Long-term consequences of this coastal El Niño are yet to be studied, though the need to develop trans-local and trans-sectoral management strategies for coping with disturbance events of this scale is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declining fisheries catches are a global trend, with management failing to keep pace with growth in fishing effort and technological advances. The economic value of Honduras' catches was estimated within the industrial and artisanal sectors. Catches were found to be 2.9 times greater than the official statistics between 1950 and 2015. The merging of industrial and artisanal catch data masked the decline in industrial catches and hid the strong growth of artisanal fisheries. In 1996, annual artisanal fisheries landed catches surpassed the industrial fishery sector, and in 2000, the annual net value of artisanal fisheries eclipsed the value of the industrial fisheries. These data highlight the importance of artisanal fisheries in Honduras and challenge the long‐held belief that the industrial sector contributes more to the national economy. The global paucity of fisheries data highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to collect more detailed and accurate fisheries data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Artisanal fisheries are globally common, providing almost 50% of total world landings. However, due to overfishing, they are worldwide on the verge of collapse. Fisheries in the eastern Mediterranean Levantine Basin must additionally cope with extreme thermal conditions, meaning that fish are typically smaller relative to other regions. In Israel, mesh size restriction has been suggested as a means to rebuild stocks, but data on artisanal fishing landings across mesh size are extremely sparse. The aim of this study was to quantify set net catches across different mesh sizes in order to identify fishing methods that can benefit both fish populations and fishers. We hope to identify which mesh size provide the highest ratio of commercial to non-commercial fished biomass, the lowest variance in fisher's revenues and benefits the reproductive potential of the resource by targeting mature individuals. We found that across the range of mesh sizes examined, smaller mesh sizes (i.e. 25, 28, 30) did not catch a larger proportion of individuals below reproductive size but, rather, smaller species. The 43 mm mesh, caught larger individuals with lower total biomass but of larger species, with similar proportions of individuals below reproductive size to smaller mesh sizes. Net mesh size was not associated with fisher revenue. Trammel nets were found to be the least selective in relation to non-commercial by-catch, although the proportion of mature individuals in the catch was larger than for the other nets examined. These findings suggest that mesh size restrictions, across the range of mesh sizes examined, will not result in a decrease in catch of individuals below reproductive size but rather shift the species composition of the catch towards large-bodied, often high trophic level, species. Thus, mesh size restrictions are unlikely to rebuild fish stocks of high-value commercial species nor increase fisher revenue. We suggest that artisanal fisheries management in the Levantine Basin should evaluate new management measures and consider reducing overall fishing pressure along with implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management, such as the closure of fish reproduction and recruitment areas and establishment of marine protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanized dredging impact on discards was assessed along the northern Alboran Sea (W Mediterranean Sea). Data from 101 dredging operations were analysed for contrasting spatial and seasonal variability of damage, with the use of a three-level damage scale. 4.5% of discarded individuals displayed intermediate damage, whereas 11.3% displayed severe damage. Echinoderms displayed the highest level of damage (~75% of total collected individuals) and Echinocardium cf. mediterraneum was the most susceptible discarded species (85% with severe damage), followed by bivalves (7.3%) and crustaceans (3.3%). The target Chamelea gallina showed a low proportion of damaged individuals, probably due to their thick protective shell, which promotes the survival of discarded undersized target individuals. Spatial differences in damage level on discards were linked to some gear characteristics, to the higher amount of gravels and to longer tow durations, whereas damage was generally higher in cold months and partly related to higher quantities of hard shelled molluscs, in both cases increasing the abrasion and damage to retained organisms. Data suggest that dredges with a lower number of narrower iron teeth and towed for a shorter time could decrease the damage rate in discards of this fishery. A spatial management plan based on the type of grounds would be useful in order to improve efficiency of these fisheries and minimize their impact to soft bottoms with different commercial catches and biological communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thorough understanding of livelihoods is necessary to ensure development policies are compatible with both resource conservation and the social and economic goals of development. Few studies, however, focus on value-adding activities occurring post-harvest in artisanal fisheries. The transformation of mollusc shells and skeletal remains of other marine taxa into artistic jewellery and decorative items is becoming an increasingly important livelihood activity for rural, coastal communities across the Pacific. We examine the potential challenges facing the shell-based handicraft sector and opportunities for overcoming these challenges using a quantitative study of artisans among the Tigak Islands of Papua New Guinea. The major challenges facing this livelihood sector are perceptions of marine resource declines and a lack of livelihood flexibility, attributed to the specialisation of material assets and skills. Improving market heterogeneity and developing coastal aquaculture may facilitate sustainable development of this livelihood sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fishers' spatial behavior affects their incomes, livelihoods and ecological sustainability and is affected by establishment of protected areas, and the impacts of changing climate and weather patterns. An understanding of fishers' spatial behavior is essential for evaluating catch trends or estimating per-area yeilds. Location choice by fishers has largely been understood through foraging models and empirical studies in large scale, developed country fisheries. This paper uses participatory mapping, logbooks and remotely sensed weather (wind speed) data to explore the influence of weather and capital on the spatial behavior and success of coastal Kenyan small-scale fishers. We test generalized foraging models of fisher behavior. A reef crest separates available fishing grounds in the study area between two distinct areas of dissimilar fish catches. Over half of the fishing trips accessed grounds outside the reef, particularly in the calmer northeast monsoon season. Trips across the reef were more successful both in terms of catch and value per fisher and price per kg. Access across the reef was determined primarily by season but was also affected by métier and daily wind speeds. Amongst a sample of non-motorised trips, crossing the reef was the most important variable for predicting Value Per Unit Effort (VPUE). Other things equal, more productive grounds ought to attract more effort, but access to the fishing grounds beyond the reef is constrained by fishers' access to capital, fluctuations in weather and the interaction between these variables. Fishers with low levels of capital are more affected by daily weather that limits access to the more profitable fishing grounds. Fishers with more capital are able to access more productive grounds more freely, but at the expense of extra compensation for the capital needed. Thus while gross returns to offshore trips exceed similar returns for nearshore trips, net returns are likely to be more equal. In our study a stark exception to the pattern of higher returns from more capitalised gear is the relatively high VPUE achieved by spear fishers, making the assumption of free movement of labour between gears not valid. The study also adds a temporal complexity to this picture by showing the likelihood of accessing grounds beyond the reef crest varies temporally by season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Nearshore Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) have been identified as one of the most practical means for improving food security, in particular in developing and intermediate countries. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the pros and cons of introducing nearshore FADs in shallow coastal waters. This is particularly the case in areas such as the Persian Gulf where traditional handline fisheries supply daily food for local coastal communities. In this context, experimental anchored nearshore FADs were deployed in the north of the Persian Gulf in order to offer a preliminary assessment regarding their possible impact in terms of both catch efficiency and ecological perspectives. CPUE, biodiversity and catch composition were compared at fishery sites with or without FADs between two fishing seasons in the Persian Gulf. Total catches were relatively well balanced between sites using nearshore FADs or without FADs, and between fishing seasons. In contrast, our analysis suggests that the fish species diversity was lower for FAD fishing operations, than for non-FAD fishing. The main differences in the fish assemblages caught between FAD and non-FAD fishing sites were mainly due to pelagic species (e.g. Scomberoides commersonnianus , Caranx sexfasciatus and Acanthopagrus latus), some of which are considered as endangered species (Scomberomorus commerson). Pelagic species were more abundant in non-FAD fishing operations, suggesting that anchored FADs used in these nearshore waters had an effect similar to that of artificial reefs, favouring the transfer of fishing effort from the pelagic to the benthic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the length at first maturity (L50) is an important tool for fish stock management and conservation. This study estimated the L50 values of 10 fish species in two reservoirs of the Apodi/Mossoró River in the tropical semiarid region of Brazil. The following species were studied: Curimatella lepidura (Eigenmann et Eigenmann, 1889); Prochilodus brevis Steindachner, 1875; Leporinus piau Fowler, 1941; Leporinus taeniatus Lütken 1875; Triportheus signatus (Garman, 1890); Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794); Hypostomus pusarum (Starks, 1913); Loricariichthys derbyi Fowler, 1915; Trachelyopterus galeatus (Linnaeus, 1766); Crenicichla menezesi Ploeg, 1991. The captured individuals were identified, separated by species, measured for total length (TL), and categorized as reproductive or immature after dissection. The L50 values for both sexes were estimated via a logistic regression for each species. Significant differences between values were tested for the species that occurred in both reservoirs (ANCOVA). The estimated L50 value varied between 7.37 cm (C. lepidura, female) and 19.40 cm (H. malabaricus, female). Only the L50 value of the males of the species C. lepidura and P. brevis differed between the two reservoirs. This study is the first report of the L50 for seven species and the first report for tropical semiarid river basins for two species. These results are important for fish resource management and species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The sustainable livelihood approach is an analytical framework that helps identifying the assets that local communities rely on, the risks they are subjected to, organisations and institutions influence their daily lives and the strategies they undertake. This is a valuable approach in small-scale fisheries management as artisanal fisheries are exposed to uncertainty in terms of supply and demand, and fishing activities usually are influenced by social and institutional factors. However, in spite of its usefulness and the fact that this approach has been previously used in projects targeting small-scale fisher communities, it is still not widely applied to small-scale fisheries. In this study we applied the sustainable livelihood approach as an analytical tool to assess the potential of the mud crab S cylla serrata as a sustainable livelihood resource for the southwest Indian states such as Karnataka. As fishers worldwide face continuous pressure from industrial fishing fleets and decreased fish stocks and their productivity, we also identified what could be the potential barriers to small-scale mud crab farming for communities that are already are involved in mud crab fishing. Data were collected and analysed from a semi-structured questionnaire, two focus group discussions and key informant interviews conducted in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. The results indicated that though mud crab is perceived as a good source of income in this area, at present it is not recognised as a steady source of income due to the unpredictable fishery catches. Respondents were aware of mud crab farming yet stated the lack of land and financial resources as the main barriers and only the minority expressed any interest in undertaking such activity. The sustainable livelihood approach proved to be a valuable research tool for identifying matters of concern for local communities regarding their source of livelihoods and barriers to small-scale aquaculture. Highlights • The sustainable livelihood approach proved to be a valuable research tool for identifying matters of concern for local artisanal fisher communities regarding their source of livelihoods and barriers to small-scale aquaculture. • Local fisher communities in Uttara Kannada possess high levels of human capital (education) and social capital (membership of fishing societies), yet low financial capital (income and savings). • Fishers are exposed to constant stresses, trends and seasonality, such as decreasing mud crab population, sand mining, saltwater intrusion and increased water temperature. Middlemen play an important role in accessing the export market, thus enabling fishers to obtain a higher price per animal compared to village markets •. The mud crab is perceived as a good but not steady source of income in this area, due to the unpredictable fishery catches. Although fishers are aware of mud crab farming, the lack of land and financial resources are the main barriers to undertaking such activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In artisanal fisheries, rules are essential elements for controlling access to and using resources, regulating the behavior of users and contributing to successful management. In Colombia, the management of the coastal marine artisanal fishing sector has utilized a centralized approach, limiting the implementation of rules and generating the need to look for alternatives that facilitate rule enforcement and contribute to the sustainability of fishing. Therefore, this study evaluates the enforcement of formal (regulations) and informal rules related to fisheries based on the perspective of 120 Colombian fishers from two case study coastal communities: Taganga (Caribbean) and Bahía Solano (Pacific). The implementation of an ancestral rule based on the allocation of fishing turns to beach seine nets in specific locations (ancones), stands out in the Caribbean community, while the implementation of an Exclusive Zone of Artisanal Fishing is stands out in the Pacific community. The results indicate that fishers recognize several regulations and have created informal rules within their territories, and the enforcement of these rules varies according to the context of each community. However, there are factors that influence the enforcement of both types of rules, such as participation of users in decision-making, the congruence of the rules with the socioeconomic context of the communities, the organization of the fishers and the monitoring, control and surveillance by the National Fisheries Authority. This study shows the urgency of managing the artisanal fishing sector in Colombia using a participatory approach and strengthening the empowerment of communities as alternatives to improving the implementation of rules. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Fishers believe that it is important to establish rules for coastal marine fisheries in Colombia. • Fishers have created community norms to organize fishing activities locally. • Fishers recognize a large number of regulations established by the Fisheries Authority. • Compliance with rules depends on social dynamics and Fisheries Authority presence. • The bottom-up processes facilitates conditions for effective implementation of rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) is one of the most significant measures governments can take to halt the degradation of marine ecosystems and fisheries overexploitation. Although MPAs can be created with the support of current stakeholders, mainly fishers, implementation of spatial restrictions and of no-take zones in particular, force adjustments to the existing fisheries in the area. The Llevant de Mallorca-Cala Rajada MPA (Spain, Western Mediterranean) was created in 2007 under the patronage of the artisanal fishermen association of Cala Rajada. This study uses onboard observer data of the existing artisanal fisheries practices (métiers), their seasonality and spatial distribution of effort in the area before (2003–2007) and after (2008–2012) MPA designation, to illustrate how fishing restrictions and regulations have changed the structure and dynamics of local fishery métiers , with inshore fishing effort partially reallocated to offshore fishing grounds farther from port. Unforeseen effects of MPA restrictions concerned coastal artisanal métiers – impinging on the smaller boats and the oldest and most knowledgeable fishers – and the expansion of métiers that use newer boats and manned by younger, less experienced fishermen. Studies like this are needed to inform the design of future fisheries spatial management measures for Mediterranean artisanal fisheries that take into account foreseeable socio-economic outcomes and loss of knowledge. Highlights • High diversity of artisanal fishery métiers and changes in their dynamics upon MPA designation. • MPA implementation reduced effort of coastal traditional métiers. • Effort relocation to offshore grounds with newer boats manned by younger fishers. • Acceleration of generational change exacerbates loss of fisher's ecological knowledge. • Identifying artisanal operational units needs good-coverage onboard sampling programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Multifunctionality is characterized by two key elements: the existence of jointly produced multiple commodity and non-commodity outputs (NCOs), and that NCOs exhibit the characteristics of public goods externalities. The term "multifunctionality" is almost not used outside agriculture. However, several issues discussed in fishery literature and in international contexts clearly refer to public goods provision and joint production. The key point is to recognize if fisheries, similar to agriculture, provide other (public) benefits beyond their primary food supply function. The paper establishes a theoretical framework for the classification and valuation of multifunctionality in fisheries, and outlines policy options to increase (through multifunctionality) social welfare. NCOs include: ecosystem- and biodiversity-related NCOs, other environmental public goods/bads, cultural heritage and coastal viability, coastal employment externalities, food security, and strategic benefits. The main NCO characteristics to be analysed are the degree of jointness between commodity outputs and NCOs, and the distribution of property rights over fish stocks and NCOs. Policy options to increase social welfare include, among others, command and control schemes, market based instruments (e.g., payment for ecosystem services), and marine protected areas. Customary marine tenure institutions, or other modern fishery organizations, may represent a framework for the communitarian provision of NCOs. Fishery subsidies, which can because of overfishing, are justified if they allow increasing social benefits, given by the sum of catch and NCOs value. Particularly, incentives may be necessary to support small-scale fisheries or other less efficient technologies. Highlights • Multifunctionality represents a policy paradigm in international contexts. • Fisheries supply bundles of commodity outputs and public goods/bads. • Fishers should be fostered to provide public goods in order to reach social optimum. • The direction of payments is driven by the existence of property rights on resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artisanal fishing communities include some of the "poorest of the poor". In the past 40 years, strategies that have targeted the harvesting sector of such communities have often failed to address their chronic problems of poverty. Using data from gill net fishers in Malaysia, the paper presents the first technical efficiency study of an artisanal fishery and finds that artisanal fishers are poor but technically efficient. The results from the study and the experiences of other artisanal fisheries are used to advance a development strategy for artisanal fisheries called integrated sustainable fisheries development (ISFD).

The predicted future shortfall in seafood production from tropical small-scale fisheries demands support to help diversify income streams and food production for coastal communities. Livelihood diversification can comprise the enhancement or addition of components to existing fisheries, yet the likely socioeconomic impacts are unclear. With a long history of nondeleterious introductions, the marine snail "trochus" (Rochia nilotica) was introduced to Samoa from 2003 to 2006 to offer a new artisanal fishery resource. Some 15 years later, we surveyed 303 fishers using structured questionnaires and mixed effects models to evaluate how the fishery has contributed to fisher well-being and what factors have influenced the socioeconomic impacts. Most fishers consumed part of their catch and both fisherwomen and fishermen shared harvests informally within communities, thereby bolstering resilience of the social-ecological systems at the community level. More than one-quarter of fishers sold part of their catch and the new earnings represented 17% of their gross income from all sources. Fishing incomes were gender equitable and influenced by fishing frequency and capital assets (boats). Most fishers were satisfied with income from the relatively new fishery and improved income was reported by a majority of fishers, especially those younger and less experienced. Additional money from the fishery was most often spent on food, church tithing, and school fees. This relatively new fishery fostered positive well-being outcomes that were gender inclusive. Extrapolations of annual incomes across the fishery reveal a rapid return on investment from foreign-aid funded development. The study reveals that certain coastal artisanal fisheries can be gender equitable and that benefits are likely underestimated because of subsistence consumption and informal distribution networks. Diversifying the marine resources accessible to small-scale fishers offers a promising strategy to support coastal livelihoods and strengthen resilience of social-ecological systems.

South America possesses a variety of estuaries along both tropical and temperate coastal regions, with most of these systems facing uncontrolled urban settlement and industrial development pressures. This review examines the contamination of estuaries on the continent with metals, persistent organic pollutants, and solid wastes, as well as their accumulation and transference through the trophic web. Moreover, we emphasize that the damming of rivers, dredging of estuaries, and deforestation of catchments results in alterations to the natural river flow and habitat losses, thus disrupting ecoclinal gradients and impairing the ability of estuarine fauna to move across connected ecosystems. We highlight how the loss in estuarine biodiversity and complexity has diminished biotic resilience and increased the potential for natural 'disasters. It is also apparent that conservation actions are urgently required before environmental modifications exceed the capacity of estuarine ecosystems to recover from such major perturbations. We document that developing continents with many developing countries, such as South America, require legislation to support a healthy environment, and that more attention needs to be devoted to the social, economic and cultural aspects of traditional communities. We emphasize that plans and actions aimed at estuarine conservation must be based on consistent and statistically testable data that covers natural flow regimes, cycles of environmental contamination, and their influences on estuarine organisms. Environmental protection initiatives for South American estuaries are still in their infancy and steps are required to promote their protection by reducing untreated wastewater disposal, managing exploitation of resources, using stakeholder and co-management approaches, introducing restoration protocols, and improving habitat protection. [Display omitted] • South American estuaries are threatened due to rapid and extensive urban and agro-industrial development. • Policies for the conservation of coastal systems exist, but are compromised by the lack of basic sanitation, poor risk assessment protocols, and the inefficient management of Marine Protected Areas. • Numerous estuaries have a combination of impacted river catchments, reduced freshwater input, overexploitation of natural resources, industrial and agricultural pollution, eutrophic tendencies, and permanent zones of hypoxia or anoxia. • Poor transfer of research information to stakeholders, and lack of engagement of managers to structure protective scenarios for the sustainable use of estuaries, is hampering the recovery of natural resources within South American systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In southern Portugal, artisanal octopus fisheries play an important socioeconomic role. Live crab bait in traps was used up to 2010 and banned in 2012. Such regulation, based on co-management advice, was not established under a scientific fundament. As a result, a long-standing controversy ensued with some fishing associations claiming that live crab bait increased fishing effort and exploitation rates and therefore risked the octopus stock status, while other fishers denied all these alleged impacts. The issue has not been resolved so far due to lack of scientific studies. In this study, we resolve the controversy conducting experimental fishing to determine by-catch and octopus catch rates using live crab bait versus other types of baits based on fish and assess the stock status of octopus over-time with constant parameters (hypothesis of no effect of the use of live crab bait) versus time-varying parameters (hypothesis of raised exploitation rates and riskier stock status). Bycatch was very low regardless of bait type. Our experimental fishing trials showed that fish-based baits increase bycatch and octopus catch rates. Stock assessment models showed that exploitation rates and stock status do not worsen in years of use of crab bait. We conclude that the use of crab bait in octopus fishery does not lead to increased exploitation rate or risks for stock sustainability status. Other considerations involving fishing costs and fishing operations further highlight the advantages of lifting the ban on the use of live crab bait in the Algarve octopus fishery. [Display omitted] • In Algarve some fishing associations claimed that live crab bait increased octopus fishing effort and overfishing while others not. • Without scientific fundament a regulation was enforced to ban the use of live crab bait in octopus traps. • Bycatch rate and octopus catch rates do not increase when using live crab bait. • Stock assessment models show that the use of live crab bait does not increase octopus overfishing risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species can cause severe economic damages, ecosystem alterations, and can even threat human health. In the global warming scenario, which can act as a driving force for the expansion of thermophilic species, we investigated for the first time the economic damage caused by the invasive bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata , to artisanal longline fishery in the Mediterranean Sea. We focused on bottom longline fishery targeting the highly prized white seabream Diplodus sargus , investigating catch composition of the fishing gear and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) of species caught, with particular emphasis on the economic damage caused by the bearded fireworm, H. carunculata , in relation to water temperature. Our results clearly indicated direct and indirect economic damage to fishing activities practiced in the southeastern coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea). Type and extent of the damage caused by the invasive worm (H. carunculata) were discussed in relation to temporal scale and overall yields obtained by this traditional artisanal fishery, and some solutions are proposed. However, the actual situation requires special attention because it is expected to worsen in the context of the global warming future scenarios, such that further studies are urgently needed. • Our results indicated both direct and indirect economic damage caused by Hermodice carunculata to the investigated fishing activities. • The rise in economic damage caused by H. carunculata is likely associated with an increase in water temperature. • Worms that scavenged directly the bait remained frequently hooked as a very undesirable by-catch, thus reducing catch potential of the gear. • The three most abundant commercial species targeted with longlines were Diplodus sargus , Diplodus vulgaris , and Pagrus pagrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondracanthus chamissoi is a red macroalgae that sustains one of the most important benthic coastal fisheries in Peru. This zone is characterized by high environmental variability, regulated by seasonal rainfall and ENSO events. The combination of anthropogenic and natural factors strongly influences the sustainability of this fishery. To understand the current state of this resource, which is subject to great extractive pressure and with scarce information about its population dynamics, sustainability indicators that connect the eco-social system of this fishery were selected. This study analyses, for the first time, the most significant factors that determine the population, social, economic, and environmental dynamics of this fishery resource under the DPSIR conceptual framework. The findings showed that the fishery of this macroalgae is currently subsistence fishing. The dynamics of the fishery are driven by internal demand and a marked environmental variability (driving forces). This generates great uncertainty in the fishing effort that faces a strong natural variability of the physical habitat (pressure), which directly impacts on the biomass of the macroalgae (state), with values between 0.05 kg/m2 and 0.83 kg/m2. These variations are reflected in losses of economic income, which exceed 1900 USD/year, and levels of informality which are higher than 50%, which can lead to social conflicts between fishermen (impact). Fisheries governance was found to be feeble (upstream and downstream response), characterized by limited management measures in driving forces, state and impact categories, and with no response in regulating fishing effort pressures. To achieve the transition from informality to the establishment of management plans for C. chamissoi, it is necessary to work together with authorities, specialists, fishers, and stakeholders. It is also necessary to increase the frequency of stock and community assessments, complemented with evaluations of the impact of sedimentation processes (erosion/accretion). • The DPSIR framework was used to evaluate the overall condition of Chondracanthus chamissoi in northern Peru. • The dynamics of the fishery are driven by internal demand and marked environmental variability. • Input and output management measures were suggested under the DPSIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the economic and environmental impacts of fisheries subsidies on the small scale fisheries in Malaysia. The data for this study was obtained from interviews with 246 fishers from Kedah, Terengganu and Selangor states using a structured questionnaire. The study found that fishing effort and catch was significantly higher for commercial fishing boats operating in zone B and zone C compared to the artisanal fishing boats operating in zone A. The results suggest that fishing effort and catch was partly attributed to the fuel subsidy in fisheries. Furthermore, the larger engine boats (B and C) gained substantial fishing income that seems to reflect unequal distribution of benefits because larger vessels were able to gain maximum benefits compared to the smaller boats. However, the poor fishers (Boat A) were able to improve their livelihoods through various livelihood subsidies compared to the fishers with larger boats (B and C). The results suggest that current fisheries subsidies may not lead to sustainable fisheries and income of small scale fishers. Fisheries overexploitation cannot be reduced by elimination of subsidy, effective planning and designing of subsidy programmes may improve the wellbeing of fishers in Malaysia.

Background. The Pacific red snapper, Lutjanus peru (Nichols et Murphy, 1922), is one of the most exploited species by artisanal fisheries in Mexico, where it is valued due to its high catch rates and economic value. This study investigated the feeding habits of L. peru in two ecosystems of the southern Gulf of California with contrasting physical and oceanographic conditions. Feeding habits were compared by sex (male or female), size (juvenile or adult), and season (cold or warm), in order to determine whether this species plays the same trophic role in the two ecosystems. Materials and methods. Samples were obtained from the northern Sinaloa coast (SIN region) and south-eastern Baja California Sur coast (BCS region). Percentages by number, weight, and frequency of each food category were determined, and the index of relative importance (%IRI) was calculated to define the main food categories. Diet breadth and diet similarity between sexes, sizes and among seasons were also calculated. Results. A total of 182 stomachs from the SIN region were analysed and 32 prey items from 15 families, 18 genera, and 25 species were identified. According to the index of relative importance (IRI), the most important prey items were the shrimp, Penaeus californiensis (73%); the ostracods, Myodocopida gen spp. (10%); and the squid, Loligo spp. (5%). A total of 233 stomachs from BCS were analysed and 31 prey items from 17 families, 19 genera, and 26 species were identified. The most important prey items according to the IRI were the red pelagic crab, Pleuroncodes planipes (42%); the ostracods, Myodocopida gen spp. (28%); and the shrimp, Penaeus californiensis (20%). Significant differences were identified in the trophic spectra by region, size and season. There were no significant differences by sex. Conclusion. Lutjanus peru displayed a specialist trophic behaviour, with differential utilization of the trophic niche and adequate food resource distribution.

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is considered the world’s most endangered marine mammal. It is the smallest member of the porpoise family endemic to the upper part of the Gulf of California. The current population is estimated at less than 30 individuals. The primary reasons for the species decline includes limited habitat and incidental mortalities associated with illegal gillnet fishing activities. Since 2008, the Mexican government has taken environmental and economic actions to protect the vaquita’s focusing in reducing by-catch deaths to zero. In 2015, a federal Agreement decreed by the Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (SAGARPA in Spanish) prohibited the use of any fishing gillnets for two years, affecting severely the local human communities because in the region the coastal fisheries represent 40% of the regional PIB, besides that 50% of the local inhabitants are devoted to this activity. Recently, an economical compensation is giving to the fishing permits owners if they do not continue with their fishing activities. However none of this actions and agreements have considered social and economic solutions for the local inhabitants of this region, which includes three communities: San Felipe, Golfo de Santa Clara and Puerto Peñasco. If there is not enacted a change of paradigm of the conservation programs, focusing in the wellbeing of the local fishing communities then the vaquita could be the second marine mammal species to disappear due to human activities.

The management of marine living resources that straddle country borders has historically been a challenge, particularly in cases where political tensions are high. The jointly managed fisheries resources in the Barents Sea are a notable exception, wherein the Russian Federation (formerly Soviet Union) and Norway have relatively successfully managed fish stocks together since the 1950s, including during the high tensions of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Using ICES statistics as reported baseline landings, the total catch of the region by the Russian fisheries was reconstructed for the period 1950-2014. Total catch was divided into reported landings, unreported landings, and discards, and assigned to four sectors: industrial, artisanal, recreational, and subsistence. Unreported landings and discards between 1950 and 2014 accounted for ~12 and 55% of the total catch, respectively, with discards being substantial in the early decades. A majority of the catch was caught using pelagic and bottom trawls, contributing to the high rate of discards. Both discards and landings reached their peak in the 1970s, after which overexploitation contributed to numerous stock declines. Stocks recovered in the 1990s following adoption of legislation and gear regulations limiting discards as part of a joint effort by Norway and Russia to more sustainably manage stocks. The trend of declining Russian Barents Sea catches after the 1980s matches global trends of declining catch, although the present case appears to be mainly due to more successful management interventions. It is assumed that small-scale fisheries removals are minor in the region, but further research to refine estimates of small-scale fishing can improve upon the present study. While this study highlights historical declines in catch due to overexploitation, it does not explore fluctuations in catch caused by environmental variation. In the rapidly warming Arctic region it is of vital importance to understand how stocks may be further affected by climate change in addition to fishing pressure.

There is widespread evidence that small-scale fisheries (SSF) bycatch threatens many populations of small cetaceans, yet conservation efforts are often limited by a lack of basic knowledge regarding their abundance, distribution, and habitat use. Here, we used passive acoustic monitoring from an SSF platform-of-opportunity to better characterize the distribution and habitat use of small cetaceans in northern Peru, focussing on the little-known Burmeister's porpoise Phocoena spinipinnis. From 2009 to 2012, acoustic click detectors (C-PODs) were attached to fishing nets for the duration of 116 fishing sets (30 fishing trips). Dolphins (unspecified delphinids) and porpoises were recorded around 71 and 22% of fishing sets, respectively. The probability of occurrence and buzzing behavior (a proxy for foraging), and time spent, were linked to both static and dynamic environmental variables to examine the drivers of habitat use. Dolphin activity was spread evenly throughout the fishing area and was not linked to any habitat variables. In contrast, porpoises were detected in neritic waters, and habitat models performed well, identifying preferences for shallow (

The Pacific coast of Colombia has some of the most extensive mangrove forests in South America. As an isolated region and one of the country's poorest, coastal communities rely on fishing as a main source of animal protein and income. In an attempt to reverse declining trends of fisheries resources, in 2008, an Exclusive Zone of Artisanal Fishing closed to industrial fishing, was established by stakeholders in the Northern Chocó region. Here we present a case study to investigate the effects of this area-based management on fisheries productivity and catch composition. Fishery landings data from 2010 to 2013 are compared to those of a neighbouring region with no fisheries management. Catch per unit effort, mean weight landed, and number of landed individuals were calculated for mangrove and non-mangrove associated species by boat type and fishing gear. A set of mixed effects models were used to unpack the effects of multiple factors and their interactions on response variables. Results show that across fishing gears and time, mean catch per unit effort increased by 50% in the Exclusive Zone of Artisanal Fishing within 3 years. Fisheries here focused on offshore resources with 61% more fishing trips associated with motorised boats than in the unmanaged region, where fishing was predominantly in mangroves and close to the coast. This suggests that fisheries management may have played a role in reducing pressure on mangrove resources. However, area-based management may have also driven the displacement of fishing effort by excluding industrial trawlers, which then concentrated their activity in neighbouring areas.

The Marine Extractive Reserve of Pirajubaé (MER) is located in the urban area of Florianópolis city (capital of Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil), and has the bivalve known as “berbigão” (Anomalocardia brasiliana) as its main fishing resource. Based on 100 daily surveys carried out during 2005, this paper describes the berbigão fishery and presents the history of its management. A hand dredge (“gancho”) was used by 22 men and four women to catch the berbigão. The fishery is conducted predominantly in the morning and under water depths between 20 and 50 cm. On average, each fisherman swept 469.2 m2 with the dredge and caught 270.5 kilograms of live clams per fishing day, summing up 888.6 t landed in the RESEX along 2005. More than 97% of the individuals in the catch exceeded the minimum legal size (20 mm total length). However, both individual size and total biomass of the stock reduced significantly over time. Most of the catch was processed (i.e. cooked and unshelled) and sold to very few buyers. Current management measures include: a) maximum number of authorized fisherman; b) days of the week and times of the day when the fishery is allowed; c) minimum distance between the iron bars in the ganchos’ basket; d) minimum legal size; e) space-time rotation of fishing areas and, f) reporting of daily production data. In spite of the large volume of scientific and traditional knowledge available and the existence of management rules discussed and approved on a participatory system, both the berbigão sustainability and the RESEX as a whole are threatened by administrative, social, economic, environmental and bureaucratic pressures. Neutralize such threats is a key challenge to be faced in this important federal conservation area of Southern Brazil.

Dugout canoes are traditional boat types made from a single tree trunk. This type of boat can reveal unique connections between forest and fisheries in coastal areas: their construction and the species used depend on the local ecological knowledge of artisans and the plant resources available and are also influenced by the type of fisheries in which the canoe will be used. Our objective was to analyze how dugout canoes are constructed, maintained, and currently used in the central coastal region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The study emphasizes the interaction between the use of forest resources and artisanal fishing in this coastal environment. The data collected were based on interviews with 30 artisans and participant observation. Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake, Ocotea porosa (Nees & Mart.) Barroso, Ocotea Aubl../Nectandra Roll. Ex Rottb., and Aspidosperma Mart. & Zucc. are the main taxa used to construct the canoes. Many canoe sizes are used, and based on the boat type, the trunk diameters needed to construct them varies from 0.6 to 2.9 m and trunk heights from 4 to 10 m. Different types of canoe are used according to the type of fishing and especially to the environment conditions. The construction of canoes in the region has decreased due to difficulties in acquiring wood, changes in fishing activities, and reasons related to labor and apprenticeship, all causes related to modernization of the society and urban growth. The knowledge of plant species used can contribute to shape policies to improve forest management. The survival of cultural practices in artisanal fishing communities should be stimulated in sustainable development programs, and it involves maintaining ecological and technical knowledge related to fishing and the plant resources used to manufacture and maintain fishing equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial information is limited for artisanal fisheries management and almost entirely absent for migrant fishers. Here, we addressed this data gap for East African migrant fishers via participatory mapping methods. We worked with 14 migrant fishing vessels operating from four fish landing sites in Kenya. We monitored individual vessels using GPS tracking to produce fishing ground intensity maps. We then generated fishing preference maps via focus group discussions. The fishing intensity maps provided high-resolution spatial information on fishing activities, whereas the fishing preference maps identified preferred fishing grounds. These two techniques generally showed high agreement. By further integrating these two fisher coproduced maps with supplemental vessel logbook data, it is clear that any spatial management measures would most affect migrant fishers using ringnets, hook and line, and cast nets gear. Our successful application of low-technology participatory mapping techniques to provide geospatial fisheries data have broad application to data poor fisheries worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Coastal waters of the Valencia region are important habitats for bottlenose dolphins, but also important fishing grounds for artisanal fisheries. No studies have been carried out here to investigate the overlap and interactions between the fishing grounds and dolphin habitat. The present study aims to assess the potential occurrence of interactions between artisanal fisheries and bottlenose dolphins in these waters. Face to face interviews were conducted to investigate for the first time artisanal fishermen's perceptions of their interactions with bottlenose dolphins. A total of 131 fishermen (40.1% of the artisanal fleet for the Valencia region) participated of research. Among the interviewed fishermen, 86.1% perceived that dolphins damaged fishing gear as they attempted to feed, and they also detected significant direct damage to fish. Of all fishermen reporting a negative interaction with bottlenose dolphins, 76.3% also reported financial loss (2907.1 ± 2512.7 €/year (100–12,000). Despite the high level of interaction with dolphins reported, fishermen do not consider bycatch to be an important threat for bottlenose dolphins. Our results show geographical differences in fishermen's perceptions of damage caused by dolphins: while dolphins were considered to be the second cause of economic loss in the southernmost ports, fishermen from the northern ports considered interaction with bottom trawl boats to be more harmful than interaction with dolphins. The more intense interaction reported by fishermen in fishing ports in the southern study area may be associated with higher presence of bottlenose dolphin in these zones. Our study provides a useful insight into fishermen's perceptions of interaction between bottlenose dolphins and artisanal fisheries in this key area for the species in the western Mediterranean Sea. It also highlights the need for future work including direct observations of interactions and damage to gather reliable data to assess the need for conservation measures. Highlights • Artisanal fisheries fishing grounds and bottlenose dolphin habitat overlap in Valencia region. • Fishermen claim that dolphins cause damage that entails economic loss. • Fishermen does not perceive bycatch as a negative aspect of fisheries on bottlenose dolphin. • Differences in interaction perception among ports seems related to dolphin distribution. • Future direct measures are necessary to validate fishermen perceptions previous to any management implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]