Bioeconomic impacts of two simple modifications to trawl nets in the NW Mediterranean

A bioeconomic model was built to assess the contribution of more selective trawl nets to the objectives of the European Multi-Annual Plan for demersal fisheries in the Western Mediterranean (WM MAP). The biological submodel was parameterized with age-structured population parameters for the five target stocks in the WM MAP (European hake, red mullet, deep-water rose shrimp, Nephrops and red shrimp) with a sixth stock combining the remaining commercial by catch and following a biomass dynamics model. The trawl fleet was composed of three fleet segments, according to Vessel Length class (VL1218, VL1824, VL2440), practicing two metiers: coastal mixed demersal fishery and deep-water crustacean fishery. The technological solutions analyzed are two simple technical modifications to the otter bottom trawl and based on i) using a panel of meshes turned 90 degrees (T90) in the extension of the trawl net, and ii) inserting a selective grid built from 40 mm square mesh (SM40) netting into the extension of the trawl net. The Results show that, in terms of policy objectives, the reduction in the values of fishing mortality achieved with these selectivity modifications would be insufficient to reach the target fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield (Fmsy) prescribed in the WM MAP by 2025. However, model results project a substantial recovery of hake and red mullet stock biomass. The recovery of these two important stocks would help improve the evolution of the economic indicators, resulting generally in higher income, profits and salaries in the short (2025) and mid term (2030).

Automated summary

A bioeconomic model was developed to assess the impact of more selective trawl nets on the objectives of the European Multi-Annual Plan for demersal fisheries in the Western Mediterranean. The results indicate that while the selectivity modifications may not reach the target fishing mortality by 2025, there is projected significant biomass recovery for European hake and red mullet stocks.