Hindcasting to forecast . An archaeobiological approach to the European hake ( Merluccius merluccius , Linnaeus 1758) fishery: Iberia and beyond

Abstract

This article attempts to set out a research agenda on the origin and evolution of hake exploitation in the Northeast Atlantic through a combination of zooarchaeological data with history and fisheries biology. An overview of archaeological hake remains from the Iberian Peninsula is presented and discussed in terms of a series of long-established paradigms. These are later expanded through an overview of issues currently facing the hake fishery, in particular its southern stock. The work concludes by specifying some research problems these issues imply an how historical and biomolecular analyses of archaeological specimens may improve our understanding of hake fisheries in former times in an attempt to implement a hidcasting to forecast strategy that could synergize with current fisheries research on the species.

Exploitation history of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean—insights from ancient bones

“…However, the use of zooarchaeological remains (BFT bones and scales) has been neglected and restricted to selected periods and regions (Morales-Muñiz, 1993;Felici, 2018;García-Vargas et al, 2018;Nielssen and Persson, 2020;Mylona, 2021). Despite this, fish remains can offer additional biological insights into past population abundance and complexity, not feasible with fishery catch data, especially via multidisciplinary applications of biomolecular and morphometric analyses (Erlandson and Rick, 2010;Orton,2016;Morales-Muñiz et al, 2018).…”

Elucidating historical fisheries’ networks in the Iberian Peninsula using stable isotopes

“…Archaeological remains from inland cities such as Mértola (Estremadura, Portugal) and Calatrava La Vieja (Ciudad Real, Spain), also testify to such fish trade though, again no hake remains have been thus far reported (Morales et al, 1994). This fish trade might have reached Plaza de Oriente but hake in this case could also reflect trade with the Christian kingdoms' flourishing Atlantic fisheries (Ferreira Priegue, 1982Hinojosa Montalvo, 1982, Salicrú i Lluch, 2009Morales-Muñiz et al, 2019). Indeed, although hake has visible scales, these are not of the prominent kind deemed desirable by the Qur'anic precepts (Foltz, 2006).…”

“…Traditionally, this approach has been used to examine relative changes in exploitation through time. From this source, it is evident that the exploitation of the European hake began in the Iberian Peninsula during the Late Iron Age (4th ‐ 3rd BCE) (Roselló Izquierdo and Morales Muñiz, 1991, Morales‐Muñiz et al., 1991, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2019). The evidence shows that large‐scale exploitation of hake in Northwest Iberia started as early as the 8th century (i.e., Curiel Castle, Gijón) when hake is first recorded on an inland site.…”

“…Written sources refer to a burgeoning fishing industry in the Northern Christian kingdoms but mostly in the late half of the Middle Ages (i.e., from 11th CE) (Azevedo Pereira, 2012; Hoffmann, 2004; Morales‐Muñiz et al., 2009, 2011, 2018; Oueslati, 2019, Riera Melis, 2009) resulting in ca . 600‐800 years of documentary gap between Late Antiquity and the Late Middle Ages.…”

Fish- and Shellmiddens from Galicia (Northwest Spain): Reflections upon a Neglected Coastal Cultural Heritage from the Iberian Peninsula

“…Learning how each one of these was exploited in the past, pairing zooarchaeological and biomolecular analyses of archaeological fish bones, would help us define baselines for future action. This idea responds to the Hindcasting-first-to-forecast-after approach that enhances perception of a given species' biology and ecology to improve population management (Morales-Muñiz et al 2018;L. Llorente et al, work in progress).…”