Ricerca e gestione delle risorse marine costiere nella riserva di pesca del Golfo di Castellammare (Sicilia N-O)

The effects of fisheries management based on artificial reefs and on trawl banning are explored in the Gulf of Castellammare fishery reserve. The artificial reefs deployed between 10 and 50 m depth have led to an increase of the diversity but not of the biomass of the local fish assemblage, proving partly ineffective as a tool for enhancing the artisanal fisheries. The analysis of trammel and trawl survey data carried out in the Gulf gives evidence of a dramatic fish biomass increase in the reserve after the ban. The socioeconomic study and the bioeconomic modeling revealed that the artisanal fishery operating inside the protected area is economically viable as long as the trawl ban is maintained in place, and that artisanal fishermen fishing outside have experienced higher costs and lower catches than fishermen inside.