Análisis de los descartes y el impacto bentónico de la pesquería de dragas mecanizadas dirigida a la chirla en el mar de Alborán

Abstract

This study describes the composition and structure of discards of the stripped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) fishery, and the damage caused by mechanized dredges on discarded species in the Alboran Sea. A total of 106 commercial fishing hauls have been analyzed between March 2013 and March 2014. Samples were collected on board artisanal fishing vessels based in Fuengirola and Caleta de Vélez harbours (Málaga). The collected fauna was characterized considering the damage presented by using a three level scale: no damage, intermediate damage and severe damage. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed with multivariate methods for contrasting seasonal variability. A total of 98 species were identified, with molluscs being the best-represented taxa (e.g. Acanthocardia tuberculata, Mactra stultorum), followed by decapod crustaceans (e.g. Portumnus latipes, Liocarcinus vernalis) and echinoderms (e.g. Echinocardium cf. mediterraneum, Ophiura ophiura). Most individuals displayed no damage after their capture. Echinoderms displayed the highest proportion of damaged individuals, followed by mollucs and decapod crustaceans. The discard structure and damage on non-target species displayed significant seasonal differences, with the higher proportions of damaged individuals in winter.