Multidimensional Indicators to Assess the Sustainability of Demersal Small-Scale Fishery in the Azores

Abstract

The Azorean demersal fishery sector is one of the most important in the archipelago. As a small-scale fishery, it plays an important role in the livelihood of the community, being a source of employment and income, and contributing to poverty alleviation. Because fisheries are a complex system, a multidisciplinary approach that includes socioeconomic indicators is required for a broader assessment of fishery sustainability. This study analyzes the Azorean bottom longline fishery using the Fishery Performance Indicators tool, regarding its ecology, economy, and community indicators. The findings indicated that the fishery is mostly sustainable, although there is still opportunity for improvement. Its ecological indicators had a good performance, mainly due to the effort and work of the scientific community that makes continuous studies to examine the state of its stocks. The economic indicators are in good condition as well, but some obstacles stopped the indicator from obtaining a better performance; mainly the landing volatility and the fishery’s main source of capital (subsidies), which can make the fishery less competitive. Finally, its community indicator had a very good performance, which reflects the fishery's socioeconomic and cultural relevance for the Azores.

Caribbean red snapper fishing performance indicators in Brazilian amazon shelf: Is it the beginning of the end of a fishing system?

“…The lack of systematized biological data is one of the main factors that make it difficult to assess stock health and may hide species that already face a situation of fishing vulnerability. Demersal species are more vulnerable to overexploitation due to their life history characteristics, such as long life span, slow growth and late sexual maturation [ 31 , 91 , 92 ].…”

“…Although the FPI tool has limitations [ 31 ], the results were able to point out important problems that put the permanence of the activity and the maintenance of the species L . purpureus at risk, they are: (i) fishing of juveniles; (ii) illegal vessels; (iii) lack of collaboration of the fishing sector with science and (iv) unreliability of the data provided.…”

“…Due to its flexibility, this tool has been used to examine fishery performance at global scales [ 26 ], can be applied in specific regions [ 27 ] and countries [ 28 ]. Furthermore, it can be effectively used in multi-species and single-species fisheries [ 29 – 31 ], in fisheries of developing countries [ 32 – 34 ], data-poor fisheries [ 35 ], investment projects [ 36 ], and can address, for example, the characteristics for effective management considering the three sectors of analysis [ 33 , 37 ].…”