Adaptive small-scale fisheries in the eastern Cantabrian coast through reliance on essential species

In recent decades, small-scale fisheries (SSF) activity along the Basque coast (eastern Cantabrian) has declined, which has led remaining vessels to undergo notable shifts in their targeted species and therefore the fishing gears used, aimed at enhancing efficiency. Within that context, this study combines logbooks and sales notes spanning from 1995 to 2022 to assess inter-annual and seasonal variations in fishing activity and the main target species across different fishing gears, namely ‘fleet segments’. Results reveal that the spring Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and summer albacore (Thunnus alalunga) seasons, with an intensified harvesting under favourable conditions during the past decade, affected the activity of all other segments throughout the year. In the face of climate change affecting harvested species, a scenario where mackerel and/or albacore seasons are disturbed would lead the SSF to predominantly depend on European hake, mainly caught by declining longlines and set nets, as well as on complementary species. Assessing essential species targeted by each SSF segment relies on is crucial for stakeholders as it helps manage interactions between fleets targeting the same species (e.g. SSF vs. industrial and recreational fisheries), and understand gear shifts by vessels targeting specific species in certain seasons.