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Effects of mechanized dredging targeting Chamelea gallina, striped venus clams, on the associated discards in the northern Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2018

Javier Urra*
Affiliation:
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Spain
Teresa García
Affiliation:
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Spain
Estefanía León
Affiliation:
Centro Andaluz Superior de Estudios Marinos, Universidad de Cádiz, Polígono Río San Pedro 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
Helena Gallardo-Roldán
Affiliation:
Centro Andaluz Superior de Estudios Marinos, Universidad de Cádiz, Polígono Río San Pedro 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
Matías Lozano
Affiliation:
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Spain
José L. Rueda
Affiliation:
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Spain
Jorge Baro
Affiliation:
Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Spain
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: J. Urra, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Spain. email: [email protected]

Abstract

Mechanized dredging impact on discards was assessed along the northern Alboran Sea (W Mediterranean Sea). Data from 101 dredging operations were analysed for contrasting spatial and seasonal variability of damage, with the use of a three-level damage scale. 4.5% of discarded individuals displayed intermediate damage, whereas 11.3% displayed severe damage. Echinoderms displayed the highest level of damage (~75% of total collected individuals) and Echinocardium cf. mediterraneum was the most susceptible discarded species (85% with severe damage), followed by bivalves (7.3%) and crustaceans (3.3%). The target Chamelea gallina showed a low proportion of damaged individuals, probably due to their thick protective shell, which promotes the survival of discarded undersized target individuals. Spatial differences in damage level on discards were linked to some gear characteristics, to the higher amount of gravels and to longer tow durations, whereas damage was generally higher in cold months and partly related to higher quantities of hard shelled molluscs, in both cases increasing the abrasion and damage to retained organisms. Data suggest that dredges with a lower number of narrower iron teeth and towed for a shorter time could decrease the damage rate in discards of this fishery. A spatial management plan based on the type of grounds would be useful in order to improve efficiency of these fisheries and minimize their impact to soft bottoms with different commercial catches and biological communities.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2018 

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