A novel and simple approach to define artisanal fisheries in Europe

Exposure of Mediterranean Countries to Ocean Acidification

“…Within the EU, boats over 12 m in length are considered industrial, while those under 12 m in length (excluding all trawlers) are classified as artisanal, or small-scale [49]. Here, we define recreational fishing broadly and consider it to be any fishing undertaken for non-commercial and non-subsistence purposes.…”

“…These fishers come from every Mediterranean country. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more than 80% of Mediterranean fishing vessels are 12 m or less and therefore qualify as artisanal [49,51]. Artisanal fishers can be characterized as owner-operators, working mainly in coastal areas and fishing only a short distance from their home port.…”

“…They use diverse gear types, operate small boats, and land their catch regularly [50]. Consequently, they are much more dependent on coastal inshore waters, which makes them vulnerable to changes in local ecosystem conditions [49]. To optimize their effort, they use multi-purpose fishing approaches and can change their target fish species throughout the year [52].…”

Identification and Characterization of Métiers in Multi-Species Artisanal Fisheries. A Case Study in Northwest Spain

“…In Spain, many studies have outlined that artisanal fisheries are suffering from a heavy decline in recent times [5] [6]. Although the high heterogeneity of these activities across different South-European countries and regions has impeded so far a standardized definition of these fisheries 1 [2] [7]- [9], most of them are characterized by a high diversification in gears and fishing techniques and changing spatio-temporal patterns of their use. These features make difficult artisanal fishing management [2] [10]- [12].…”

“…A recent discussion in the South-European context can be found in García-Flórez et al [9]. 2 Decision 2008/949/EC has been repealed with effect from 1 January 2011 by the Commission Decision 2010/93 of 18 December 2009, in which a multiannual Community Programme for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector for the period 2011-2013 is adopted.…”