Characterization of artisanal fishery in a coastal area of the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea): Evaluation of legal and IUU fishing

The present study analyses the artisanal fishery of Sciacca (Mediterranean Sea) through the investigation of fishing activities, resources and yields, in order to characterize for the first time one of the most important traditional coastal activities of the area. Further, the study evaluates the incidence of illegal artisanal fishing, this being one of the major threats to the good management of fishery. Landing surveys and interviews with professional fishermen (i.e. those operating on vessels provided with a fishing licence) were carried out from May 2006 to April 2007 in order to record catches, type of fishing gear used and fishing areas. At the same time, illegal artisanal fishing vessels - i.e. vessels without a licence whose catch is illegally sold in local markets - were also monitored. The artisanal fishery of Sciacca is multi-specific, exploring various resources with different techniques. The most used gear by both professional and illegal fishing vessels throughout the study period was the trammel net. Other less frequently used gear has seasonal use related to source availability, and some is mainly or exclusively used by one or the other category of fishing vessels. Overlapping between professional and illegal fishing vessels emerged in the exploitation of some fishing areas, mainly coastal (within 3 nautical miles). A strong competition between the two categories for commercial resources was highlighted. The present study reports for the first time data on professional and illegal artisanal fishing in one of the most important Sicilian fisheries.