Characterization of the artisanal fishery and its socio-economic aspects in the central Mediterranean Sea (Aeolian Islands, Italy)

Artisanal or small-scale fishery represents an important share of the Mediterranean fishery, even if it has been poorly investigated until now. In order to improve the knowledge on this sector we studied the Aeolian fishery, with the following aims: (a) to characterize fishery and fishing activities together with their socio-economic aspects; (b) to provide baseline information on the Aeolian fishery to develop appropriate management measures; (c) to discuss the changes in this fishery as a consequence of the implementation of EC Regulation 1239/98 concerning the conversion of boats that used “spadara” driftnet targeting swordfish. The information was collected over the 2006–2007 period by means of interviews aimed at surveying fleet features, fishing gear used, catch and socio-economic data. Aeolian fishery is characterized by small polyvalent boats (n = 157, ranging from 4.5 to 15.8 m). The highest CPUE values were reported for Thunnus alalunga (50.62 ± 25.79 kg/1000 hooks*day) caught by albacore drifting longline in the fall season, Scorpaena scrofa (0.69 ± 0.51 kg/500 m net*day) by trammel net in summer and Todarodes sagittatus (8.35 ± 2.55 kg/day) by squid hand-jig line in winter. The catch is traded in both the wholesale and the retail market. Since the “spadara” driftnet ban, this fishery has undergone changes that are still in progress and that are leading to a greater polyvalence and seasonality of fishing activities. The Aeolian fishery chain needs a new approach to promote the consumption of low-value species and the utilization of less exploited yet more abundant resources available in this area.