DESPESCA: Monitoring in the test bed of the Enmalle and Nasa Fishery Discarded Species on Gran Canaria

The main objective of this project is to acquire new technical and scientific knowledge on artisanal fish and cassava pot fishing in order to reduce its negative effects on the environment. To date, nothing has been published on the survival rates of released specimens of the various target (undersized or commercial) or by-catch species caught with both trap and gillnet gear.

This knowledge will make it possible to propose to the competent administrations improvements in the use of these traditional gears, both in their construction and in the way they are used, since the survival of unmarketable specimens often depends on the number of hours the gear is set, or on the speed at which it is turned.

Accordingly, material will be published with Good Practice recommendations for the use of these gears. Field activities are concentrated on the PLOCAN test bed, where the Melenara and San Cristóbal Cooperatives regularly carry out nase fishing. PLOCAN has the capacity to anchor in this area the nurseries for the discarding of the species and to monitor their behaviour by means of underwater robotic technologies (ROV). The surveillance of the test area ensures that no poaching activities take place in the area that could distort the results. The trial will also allow to verify the needs and challenges to be addressed in the planning and definition of the coexistence of activities that may interact with small-scale fisheries.

All the results will be compiled in a document that will recommend to the competent administrations in the management of the professional fishing sector the improvements to be introduced in the regulation of both fishing gears. In addition, the same results will be presented to the fishermen of both cooperatives collaborating in the project and the rest of the island to raise awareness of the importance of good practices in order to reduce the discarding of unmarketable fish. Similarly, the evaluation of the operations carried out on the test bed will provide information on the options for coexistence between R&D&I activities and traditional fishing in the reserved area; this will be shared with the collaborating cooperatives in order to define the activities on the test bed and the uses of the space. The ICT supports foreseen in the dissemination activities, as well as the events planned for the dissemination of the results, will be used as platforms for knowledge transfer.

The project is carried out with the collaboration of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, through the Pleamar Programme, co-financed by the FEMP (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund).