This document, produced within the context of the Pharos4MPAs project, aims to explore the ways Marine Protected Areas are affected by recreational fisheries, and provides a set of practical recommendations to avoid or minimise its environmental impacts.
QUESTIONS THIS PRACTICE MAY HELP ANSWER:
- How do recreational fishery activities affect MPAs?
- How can the impacts of recreational fishery activities on MPAs be prevented/avoided/reduced?
IMPLEMENTATION CONTEXT:
The report was developed within the context of the PHAROS4MPAs project. It explores the ways Mediterranean MPAs are affected by activities in the growing Blue Economy, and provides a set of practical recommendations for regional stakeholders on how to prevent and minimise the environmental impacts of key economic sectors.
ASPECTS / OBJECTIVES:
By bringing together different stakeholders and exploring the major issues experienced in the MPAs, PHAROS4MPAs´ goal is to provide examples of best practices, and to facilitate information exchange among MPAs affected by similar pressures. The aim of this project was to develop a set of practical recommendations to address the potential negative interactions between recreational fisheries and MPAs.
METHOD:
The report was developed considering the different roles, interests and attitudes of MPA managers, public authorities and representatives of recreational fishery activities.
MAIN OUTPUTS / RESULTS:
The Mediterranean represents a popular area for recreational fishing, which may have an impact on resources and habitats (i.e. due to the fishing methods or pollution from fishing gears). This is an important aspect that needs to be taken into account, when considering environmental protection. The document provides an overview of recreational fishery activities in the Mediterranean, as well as their interactions with MPAs. It provides a study on benefits (social, economic etc.) and impacts of recreational fisheries on Marine Protected Areas (i.e. illegal fishing, impact on vulnerable species, damage to sensitive habitats), as well as a set of practical recommendations to public authorities, MPA managers and fishermen on how to prevent and minimise these impacts.
TRANSFERABILITY:
While recommendations relate to the impacts of recreational fisheries on the MPAs in the Mediterranean, the model and methods could potentially be applied in other regions.
Responsible Entity:
Pharos4MPAs project.
Funding Source:
Interreg MED Programme 2014-2020
Contact person:
Project coordinator:
Catherine Piante
WWF-France
6 Rue de Fabres 13001 Marseille
E-mail: cpiante@wwf.fr
Ph.: +33 4 96116946