Progetti

Between 2015 and 2016, the Managing Body carried out a project for the monitoring of recreational fishing within the MPA.

The scope of the project, which was part of the programme 'Marine Strategy', was to collect data on recreational fishing in order to improve the management strategies in the exploitation of fishery resources.

In this context, four different actions were undertaken:

-information campaigns aimed at users were conducted in the summer season with a view to preventing any prospective infraction. Reaching users at seaside resorts or harbours - outside of the traditional channels, such as offices, info points or tourist facilities - is a strategic approach to reduce the number of unaware or non-authorized users and raise public awareness to the rules and practices to comply with for a lawful and sustainable use of the area. Thanks to this monitoring activity, it was possible to reach wide segments of users, which otherwise wouldn't have come into contact with the MPA.

-a statistical survey on the authorizations annually issued for recreational fishing was carried out, in order to characterize the type of recreational fishing practiced within the archipelago. Data were processed, regarding the type of user (resident or equivalent/non-resident), the duration of the authorization (daily, weekly, monthly, annual), the MPA zone to which it applies, the type of fishing (land-based or boat fishing), the type of fishing tool used (line, fishing rod, sea fishing rigs with hooks and plummet sinker, surface trawling, deep trawling, lines for cephalopods, sea urchins catches, longlines) and any extension of the authorization to first degree relatives or spouse.

All this, in order to make a satistical assessment of the impact, in terms of time and space, within the MPA.

-A field survey was conducted through excursions at sea in order to carry out sample checks. The activities on the field were conducted within two campaigns, of two months' duration each, aiming to make a sample assessment of the recreational fishing that is subject to authorization within the zones B and C of the MPA.

The survey involved 6 excursions per month, for a total of 12 excursions in each campaign. The personnel involved in the survey assessed the compliance with the issued authorizations as well as with the rules set forth in the MPA Regulation concerning the fishing tools, their use and the catch.