Multi-specific small-scale fisheries rely on few, locally essential, species: Evidence from a multi-area study in the Mediterranean

Achieving sound management of small-scale fisheries (SSFs) is globally recognized a key priority for sustaining livelihoods, local economies, social wealth and cultural heritage in coastal areas. The paucity of information on SSFs often prevents the proper assessment of different socio-ecological aspects, potentially leading to draw inappropriate conclusions and hampering the development and adoption of effective policies to foster SSF sustainability. To respond to the growing global call to assess these fisheries, we carried out a multi-disciplinary and data-rich assessment of SSFs at 11 areas in 6 Mediterranean EU countries, combining the analysis of 1292 SSF fishing operations and 149 semi-structured surveys of fishers. Specifically, we aimed at assessing (1) landed species contribution to SSF catches and revenues and (2) the spatial variability in a set of fishery socio-ecological descriptors. Results highlighted that, in spite of a high species diversity, Mediterranean SSFs actually rely economically upon a very limited number of species with catch and revenues per unit of effort mostly determined by less than 5 species, that can guarantee high and stable catches and revenues over time. Moreover, some fishing communities were found to rely on a restricted number of gears. These evidences suggest, that some SSFs' properties often assumed, but never broadly verified, should be carefully reconsidered, especially when viewed from a broader socio-ecological perspective, as in the case of the diversified portfolio or of the polyvalence of fishing gears. Taking the local scale into proper account is likely to reduce the risk of implementing management strategies potentially generating socio-ecological inequalities.