Assessing the potential of an artisanal fishing co-management in the Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto (southern Adriatic Sea, SE Italy)

In this study we investigated the potential of a fishing protocol adopted within the buffer zone of the Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto (SE Italy, Adriatic Sea) on fishing yields. The protocol, agreed with local fishermen and the MPA authority, aimed at regulating the fishing pressure within the MPA in the perspective to balance conservation and socio-economic needs. Fishing was completely banned in the entire MPA from 2001 to 2005. In 2005 fishing resumed within the buffer zone surrounding no-take zones. From 2005 to 2008 we monitored artisanal professional fishing (strictly exerted by trammel nets) within the buffer MPA, and compared CPUE (kg km−1 of net) with those obtained outside the MPA (where fishing grounds are fully open to professional and recreational fishing). Catches were higher inside than outside the MPA. Overall assemblage structures (evaluated on wet weight data) were significantly different from inside to outside the MPA, with the two most important commercial species, i.e. Mullus surmuletus and Scorpaena scrofa, accounting for ∼40% of the catch inside the MPA and ∼20% outside. In 2005, average CPUE within the MPA was about five-fold (∼50 kg km−1 of net) the mean value obtained outside. Such value then declined and tended to stabilize around 25 kg km−1 of net in 2007 and 2008. Average CPUE outside the MPA, instead, was ∼10 kg km−1 of net and remained quite stable across years. This study shows that the use of fishing co-management protocols within MPAs that properly involve local fishermen in the decision process is a promising approach to balance fishermen's and conservation needs.