Final Report Summary - SARDONE (Improving assessment and management of small pelagic species in the Mediterranean)
The SARDONE project aimed to develop a series of tools which enabled better understanding, stock assessment and fishery management of small pelagic fish resources, namely anchovy and sardine, in the Mediterranean. The northwest Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Aegean Sea were selected for the project elaboration, as they represent the three major stocks and fisheries.
Firstly, an attempt to characterise essential habitats for juvenile small pelagic fish in relation to oceanographic and topographic conditions was undertaken. Information from past, ongoing and new acoustic surveys, along with available methods were used to define nursery areas and to map sardine juveniles. Acoustic data was compiled, evaluated, summarised and gaps were identified. Satellite environmental data were elaborated using simulation models to pinpoint areas with suitable environment for juveniles presence, in order to produce presence and absence probability maps.
Moreover, a database was constructed, incorporating information from all three examined areas. Finally, in situ measurements were used, with the aid of statistical modelling, in order to enhance understanding of the environmental conditions that affected fish spatial distribution.
In addition, acoustic methods were advanced and harmonised so as to estimate the abundance of juvenile fish and to utilise it as a means of predicting recruitment and improving adaptive management of the stocks. Two international workshops were organised for that purpose, in order to evaluate existing methodologies, to agree upon common protocols and to assess the outcomes of the acoustic sampling.
The effects of fisheries on the dynamics of the stock at post-larval stages were also analysed, using data from existing fry fisheries, which were assembled and summarised as part of the project. A suitable monitoring tool was developed and tested to sample early life stages of the fish. It occurred that, after further refinement, the tool could be utilised as a component of the methodologies for larvae biomass estimations.
The late-larval habitats were characterised in relation to oceanographic and topographic conditions using a similar tool, which simulated the advection of eggs, larvae and late larvae from spawning areas using hydrodynamic models. Various population dynamics models were assessed. The entire analysis, along with the undertaken feeding and growth studies, served as a knowledge basis for the development of more scientifically sound ecological modelling in the future.
Furthermore, the existing towed gears selectivity was defined and improved, while stock evaluation methods were refined using adapted methodologies that were implemented in the Atlantic Ocean. It should be noted that the transport mechanisms that allowed for the continuation of human activities remained to be investigated in the future.
The exploitable project knowledge included the development of a fishing gear, adapted to the Italian fishing fleet needs, to catch small pelagic Mediterranean species. The gear could exploit fish behaviour to separate different species during the fishing process. Its performance could be enhanced through testing in combination with specific instrumentation for the detection of pelagic schools. Moreover, SARDONE resulted in the creation of a project-related website and in the production of numerous publications, while the participation in conferences and international presentations ensured maximum dissemination of its findings.
Firstly, an attempt to characterise essential habitats for juvenile small pelagic fish in relation to oceanographic and topographic conditions was undertaken. Information from past, ongoing and new acoustic surveys, along with available methods were used to define nursery areas and to map sardine juveniles. Acoustic data was compiled, evaluated, summarised and gaps were identified. Satellite environmental data were elaborated using simulation models to pinpoint areas with suitable environment for juveniles presence, in order to produce presence and absence probability maps.
Moreover, a database was constructed, incorporating information from all three examined areas. Finally, in situ measurements were used, with the aid of statistical modelling, in order to enhance understanding of the environmental conditions that affected fish spatial distribution.
In addition, acoustic methods were advanced and harmonised so as to estimate the abundance of juvenile fish and to utilise it as a means of predicting recruitment and improving adaptive management of the stocks. Two international workshops were organised for that purpose, in order to evaluate existing methodologies, to agree upon common protocols and to assess the outcomes of the acoustic sampling.
The effects of fisheries on the dynamics of the stock at post-larval stages were also analysed, using data from existing fry fisheries, which were assembled and summarised as part of the project. A suitable monitoring tool was developed and tested to sample early life stages of the fish. It occurred that, after further refinement, the tool could be utilised as a component of the methodologies for larvae biomass estimations.
The late-larval habitats were characterised in relation to oceanographic and topographic conditions using a similar tool, which simulated the advection of eggs, larvae and late larvae from spawning areas using hydrodynamic models. Various population dynamics models were assessed. The entire analysis, along with the undertaken feeding and growth studies, served as a knowledge basis for the development of more scientifically sound ecological modelling in the future.
Furthermore, the existing towed gears selectivity was defined and improved, while stock evaluation methods were refined using adapted methodologies that were implemented in the Atlantic Ocean. It should be noted that the transport mechanisms that allowed for the continuation of human activities remained to be investigated in the future.
The exploitable project knowledge included the development of a fishing gear, adapted to the Italian fishing fleet needs, to catch small pelagic Mediterranean species. The gear could exploit fish behaviour to separate different species during the fishing process. Its performance could be enhanced through testing in combination with specific instrumentation for the detection of pelagic schools. Moreover, SARDONE resulted in the creation of a project-related website and in the production of numerous publications, while the participation in conferences and international presentations ensured maximum dissemination of its findings.
