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

The main métiers 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 métiers was defined in terms of fishing gear, target species and season. Two métiers were active throughout the year whereas the remainder showed a more or less seasonal pattern of activity. The métiers differed significantly with regard to catch composition, production and income (all P < 0.001). For gears used in more than a single métier (trammel nets, longlines), comparisons of catch per unit effort revealed significant differences (P < 0.001) only among the trammel net métiers. The species with consistent contribution to catch and income were defined and by-catch species were identified for each of the métiers. In a subsequent step of the analysis, catch and income were used along with the pattern of activity to hierarchically classify métiers. This definition of métier groups could be useful for sampling stratification purposes. The fishing strategy and tactics along with the factors affecting choice and switching among the different métiers are discussed along with their management implications.