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- Marine recreational fishing in Portugal: current knowledge, challenges, and future perspectivesPublication . Diogo, Hugo; Veiga, Pedro; Pita, Cristina; Sousa, A.; Lima, David; Pereira, João Gil; Gonçalves, Jorge M.S.; Erzini, Karim; Rangel, MafaldaMarine recreational fishing (MRF) in Portugal is a traditional leisure activity with considerable importance for coastal populations. In the absence of available information from the national data collection framework, this article aims to review the existing information on MRF across the country. MRF was an open access fishery until recently, but with rising evidence of overexploitation of coastal resources, a precautionary approach was imposed topdown, without consulting recreational fishers. In Portugal, the MRF participation rate is comparable to the European average (2%). The most important fishing mode (according to the official issued licenses) is shore angling. Mainland Portugal marine recreational catches (0.8% of total commercial landings) are likely underestimated, while the estimate for the Azores (6% of total commercial landings) is probably closer to the national reality. The Portuguese MRF sector faces several challenges, including: (1) the need for a definition of a national data collection framework; (2) the inclusion of MRF harvest estimates in stock assessments for key captured species; (3) management approaches which also take into account the ecosystem approach to fisheries and any potential effects of climate change; (4) additional research on post-release mortalities for the most important MRF species; and (5) a stronger involvement of all stakeholders in the decision-making process of MRF. The latter would be critical to improve the adequacy of regulations to the MRF reality, mitigate conflicts with other sectors (e.g., commercial fishing), and potentially increase fishers compliance.
- Temporal variation of the fishers’ perception about the stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) fishery at the Berlengas Nature Reserve (Portugal)Publication . Sousa, A.; Jacinto, D.; Penteado, N.; Pereira, D.; Silva, T.; Castro, J.J.; Leandro, S.M.; Cruz, T.The engagement of the fishers and other stakeholders in the management of the resources is considered the key ingredient for a good fishery governance. The stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes can be considered the most important economic resource on rocky shores of northern Spain and continental Portugal. This species is highly prized as food and it is heavily exploited. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the temporal variation in the perception of P. pollicipes fishers at Berlengas Nature Reserve (RNB, the first area in Portugal to be managed for this fishery, since 2000) regarding the state of the fishery and the state of the management, and the implementation of a co-management system applied to the harvesting of this resource at RNB. The fishers’ perception was evaluated by individual and direct interviews to professional P. pollicipes fishers with license to harvest at RNB, performed in 2005, 2013 (past studies) and 2018 (present study). The perception of the fishers about the state of P. pollicipes revealed an overall negative tendency of this resource at RNB, as they considered that the amount and size of the barnacles had decreased over time, and the quality remained the same. Most fishers also considered that P. pollicipes are being overexploited at RNB. The state of the management was defined as acceptable, as a large majority of the fishers agreed with most of the management measures, except for the spatial closures. However, their sense of nonfulfillment was high regarding most management measures in practice. Finally, an increasing percentage of the fishers agreed with the implementation of a co-management system applied to barnacle harvesting at RNB. This management shift might bring benefits perceived by the fishers as a better state of the resource, a more sustainable fishery management and an increase of the economic value of the resource.