Molluscan species of minor commercial interest in Hellenic seas: Distribution, exploitation and conservation status

Abstract

Recognising the need for data gathering at taxon level besides the taxa of commercial interest and those listed as endangered in the Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, but still exploited by Man, the present study attempts to gather and review the available scientific information on molluscs of minor commercial importance in order to assist in the adequate management and protection of their populations. Forty one species (18 gastropods, 13 bivalves, and 10 cephalopods) of minor commercial interest are treated in the present work with details on their biogeographic distribution, exploitation and conservation status in Hellas. Apart from a few species (e.g., Pinna nobilis, Lithophaga lithophaga, Donacilla cornea), and these only at a local scale, there is no population assessment in Hellenic seas. The existing legislation for eleven of these species is not enforced in practice, and seems insufficient to guarantee their conservation. It is suggested that targeted collection data, networked nationally and internationally, should be promoted so this invaluable source of biodiversity information can be accessed for conservation and planning purposes.

Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management

“…Goods and Services: This biotope is dominated by the piddock Pholas dactylus, a marine rock-boring bi-valve mollusc, characterised by its bioluminescence (Katsanevakis et al, 2008) as well as the tube-building polychaetes Polydora spp. and Bispira volutacornis.…”

“…Soft rock communities have a nursery function and act as refuges (Houziaux et al, 2008). P. dactylus has been extensively fished for human consumption and as fishing bait (Katsanevakis et al, 2008).…”

“…Sensitivity to human activities: P. dactulys was once prevalent across the entire Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast of Europe, but they have disappeared from most sites due to human collection for food and bait and as a result of pollution (Katsanevakis et al, 2008). Various pholad species are still eaten today in parts of Europe and Asia and there has been recent interest in their mariculture (Marasigan & Laureta, 2001;Bombace et al, 2000).…”

Relative growth and reproductive cycle of the date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga (Linnaeus, 1758) sampled from the Bizerte Bay (Northern Tunisia)

“…The endolithic bivalve Lithophaga lithophaga (Linnaeus 1758) is part of this community, digging into limestone by means of chemical secretions (Morton and Scott 1980;Mojetta and Ghisotti 1996;Owada 2009). In their tunnels, individuals can live for 50 years or more (Katsanevakis et al 2008). This gonochoristic bivalve is most abundant in the midlittoral and sublittoral zones (Galinou-Mitsoudi and Sinis 1994).…”

Comparative distribution of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis (Bivalvia, Pinnidae) in protected and trawled areas of the north Aegean Sea (Thermaikos Gulf)

“…The species occurs from surface waters down to 600 m in depth (Poutiers, 1987); dense populations are usually found at a depth of 25 to 50 m (Simunovic et al, 2001). In contrast to other Mediterranean Pinnidae species, such as the noble fan shell Pinna nobilis which has been traditionally exploited (Chintiroglou et al, 2005) and is currently under strict protection (Katsanevakis, 2006;Katsanevakis et al, 2008), A. fragilis is only occasionally harvested (Poutiers, 1987), although often reported from fisheries discards (Batista et al, 2009;Voultsiadou et al, 2011). Local populations of the species are considered endangered (Act.…”