Identifying and classifying small-scale fisheries metiers in the Mediterranean: A case study in the Patraikos Gulf, Greece

The main metiers practiced by small-scale fishermen in the Patraikos Gulf (western Greece, E. Mediterranean) were identified using data from 144 fishing operations carried out from August 2004 to July 2005. These operations were categorized by gear and subsequently classified hierarchically, based on target species declared by the skippers before the fishing operation. A total of 12 metiers was defined in terms of fishing gear, target species and season. Two metiers were active throughout the year whereas the remainder showed a more or less seasonal pattern of activity. The m6tiers differed significantly with regard to catch composition, production and income (all P < 0.001). For gears used in more than a single metier (trammel nets, longlines), comparisons of catch per unit effort revealed significant differences (P < 0.001) only among the trammel net metiers. The species with consistent contribution to catch and income were defined and by-catch species were identified for each of the m6tiers. In a subsequent step of the analysis, catch and income were used along with the pattern of activity to hierarchically classify metiers. This definition of metier groups could be useful for sampling stratification purposes. The fishing strategy and tactics along with the factors affecting choice and switching among the different m6tiers are discussed along with their management implications. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.