MT
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS ORDER
Table of Provisions (24)
Statutory Text (24 Articles)
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 425.09
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF
CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
ORDER
25th October, 2013
LEGAL NOTICE 354 of 2013.
(1) The title of this Order is the Implementation and
Enforcement of Certain Fisheries Management Plans Order.
(2) The scope of this Order is the implementation and, where
applicable, the enforcement of management plans in conformity
with the obligations of Malta under Article 19 of the Council
Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning
management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery
resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC)
No 2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1626/94.
[Article 3(1)]
Fisheries Management Plan
Bottom otter trawl fishery
Lampara fishery
Table of contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abbreviations used
Introduction
The Common Fisheries Policy and the Mediterranean Sea
The Maltese fisheries
3.1
The 25 nautical mile Fisheries Management Zone (25NM FMZ)
3.2
The Maltese commercial fishing fleet
3.3
Recreational fisheries
Fisheries covered by the multi-annual national management plan
(1)
In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires
"the Act" means the Fisheries Management and Conservation
Act;
"Director" shall have the same meaning as that assigned to it in
the Act;
"management plans" means the management plans as provided
under article 3 of this Order;
"the Regulation" means Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006
of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the
sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean
Sea, amending Regulation (EE C) No 2847/93 and repealing
Regulation (EC) No 1626/94.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in this Order, the definitions
provided for in the Act are to apply to this Order.
[Article 3(1)]
Fisheries Management Plan
Lampuki FAD Fishery
Table of Contents
List of figuresii
List of tablesii
Abbreviationsii
Introduction
The Common Fisheries Policy and the Mediterranean Sea
The Maltese fisheries
3.1
The 25 nautical mile Fisheries Management Zone (25NM FMZ)
3.2
The Maltese commercial fishing fleet
3.3
Recreational fisheries
Fisheries covered by the multi-annual national management plan
Fisheries covered by the multi-annual national management plan
Description of the fishery
Maltese management plan for the lampuki FAD fishery
7.1
Objectives
7.2
Status of the stocks
7.3
Potential management tools
7.3.1 List of possible management tools
7.4
Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential
management measures
7.4.1 Estimate of production and fishing effort
7.4.2 Projected price trends
7.4.3 Projected income streams
7.4.4 Supporting workings with respect to loss of profits
estimates
7.4.5 Carbon footprint of capture fisheries
7.4.6 Projected results – lampuki
7.5
Selection of best management tools
7.6
Implementation of management measures
7.7
Review of management measures
Conclusion
Annex 1 - Lampuki FAD Fishery
1. Description of the fishery
1.1
General description
1.2
The Lampuki Net
2. Maltese Fleet Structure and Capacity
3. Fishing effort data
3.2
Trends in Total Effort
3.3
Trends in Monthly Effort
4. Biological characteristics of the main species caught
5. Conservation Status of the Stock
5.1
Trends in Regional Catches
5.2
Trends in Maltese Catches
5.3
Catch per Unit Effort
5.4
Population State Indicators from Maltese Data
6. Impact on By-Catch Species and the Environment
6.2
By-catch species
6.3
Environmental Impacts
7. Ongoing Research
8. Socio-economic characteristics of the fishery
References
List of figures
Declining growth rate of fish production
Landings in Metric Tonnes under each scenario
Income in 2017 under each scenario
Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) typically used in the Maltese
Islands (adapted from [10]).
Diagram of a Lampuki net [11].
Temporal variation in nominal fishing effort, expressed in terms of
number of FADs fished * number of fishing trips by the lampuki
FAD fishing fleet in 2006-2011, with fitted regression line.
Mean monthly fishing effort (+/- 1 SD) for the lampuki FAD fishing
fleet in 2006-2011; units are effort as number of FADs fished *
number of fishing trips.
Evolution of total lampuki landings from the Mediterranean in the
period 1970-2010 (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
Evolution of lampuki landings by different Mediterranean countries
in the period 1970-2010 (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
Figure 10 C. hippurus landings in the Maltese Islands since 1954 (historical
Maltese data).
Figure 11 Mean monthly landings (+/- 1 SD) for the lampuki FAD fishing fleet
in 2006-2011.
Figure 12 Catch per unit effort (as t/number of FADs fished * number of
fishing trips) for lampuki (C. hippurus) estimated for the Maltese
FAD fishery during the period 2006-2011, with fitted regression
line.
Figure 13 Density map of average CPUE in kg day -1 FAD -1 of C. hippurus for
the 2009 fishing season (August – December) [46].
Figure 14 Mean C. hippurus landings per transect per season (kg/transect/
season) for each district in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 FAD fishing
seasons; error bars show 95% confidence intervals [46].
Figure 15 Length frequency distributions of FAD lampuki (C. hippurus)
catches in by the 6-12 m and 12-18 m vessel length fleet segments in
the Maltese Islands.
Figure 16 Average monthly length frequency distribution of C. hippurus
recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2009-2011; fork length
composition of catches increases rapidly over the fishing season as a
result of the high growth rates of this species.
Figure 17 Minimum size of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught by the 6-12 m and
12-18 m fleet segments in the Maltese Islands
Figure 18 Maximum size of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught by the 6-12 m and
12-18 m fleet segments in the Maltese Islands
Figure 19 Average size of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught by the 6-12 m and 12-
18 m fleet segments in the Maltese Islands.
Figure 20 Age in days against fork length (cm), for market samples of lampuki
(C. hippurus) caught in the Maltese islands in 2005-2010.
List of tables
Table 1
Objectives, indicators and targets for the lampuki fishery
management plan
Table 2
Table 3
Profitability estimate per vessel
Table 4
Assumptions made in the scenario analysis
Table 5
Economic net present value of all scenarios compared to scenario 1
Table 6
2006-2011 fleet capacity data for the vessels licensed to fish for
lampuki (C. hippurus) using FADs
Table 7
Characteristics of vessels licensed to participate in the 2011 lampuki
(C. hippurus) fishery.
Table 8
Species distribution of main species caught when fishing for
lampuki using FADs
Table 9
Maximum age, maturity and spawning season of main species
caught when fishing for lampuki using FADs.
Table 10
Average percentage contribution of lampuki landings by country
from the 1970s onwards (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
Table 11
Mean sagitta age (days), mean lapillus age (days) and mean fork
length (cm) for market samples of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught in
the Maltese islands in 2005-2010.
Table 12
Values for the economic variables and indicators for the vessels
licensed to fish for lampuki (C. hippurus) using FADs.
Abbreviations
CPUE
Catch per Unit Effort
ENPV
Economic Net Present Value
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organisation
FAD
Fish Aggregating Device
FMZ
Fisheries Management Zone
OECD
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
STECF
Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
(STECF)
1. Introduction
The Maltese archipelago lies more or less at the centre of the Mediterranean,
93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa in a maritime area largely
characterised by international waters.
Malta is geographically the smallest EU Member State and its coastline
amounts to around 0.8% of the total EU coastline * .
The Maltese fleet is predominantly small-scale with a rich and extensive
artisanal portfolio. It accounts for around 0.03% of the total EU catch † .
The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)
notes that because most of the resources are shared with other countries, the
current status of stocks depends little on the activity of the Maltese fleet. The
STECF concludes that this fact creates many problems for identifying actions
that the Management Plan can carry out unilaterally.
Malta’s geographic position and size, the scale of its fishery, and the scale of
its fishery, the spatial distribution of exploited stocks and fishing grounds
* Including data on Croatia
† Based on 2009 Eurostat data
shared with neighbouring EU and non EU countries, severely restrain the
scope of any unilateral conservation effort and de-facto limit the applicability
of Article 19 of Council Regulation 1967/2006.
The Common Fisheries Policy and the Mediterranean Sea
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets out the main framework for
managing the fisheries sector in the EU. Because of the characteristics of the
Mediterranean fishery, EU catch limits or quotas are not applicable, with the
exception of limits on bluefin tuna that have been introduced in response to
recommendations by the International Commission on Conservation of
Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT). Apart from the general absence of catch limits, in all
other respects, the region is subject to a range of EU wide management
measures, including requirements relating to the EU vessel register, licensing,
monitoring and control arrangements, and data collection measures.
The core of EU Mediterranean fisheries management measures are set out in
EU Council Regulation (EC) 1967/2006 concerning management measures
for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean.
Article 19 of the said regulation, together with Council Regulation (EC) No
2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries
resources under the Common Fisheries Policy, form the legal framework for
the implementation of management plans.
The Maltese fisheries
3.1
The 25 nautical mile Fisheries Management Zone (25NM FMZ)
The provisions related to the 25 nautical mile management zone (25 NM
FMZ) around Malta are outlined in Article 26 of the Council Regulation 1967/
2006. Therefore the fisheries covered by this management plan are already
subject to a number of targeted measures including measures limiting fishing
effort, capacity, vessel size, engine power and fishing areas for certain modes
of fishing.
The main fleet segment which is allowed to fish in the 25 NM FMZ is that
composed of vessels smaller than 12 m. The small scale artisanal sector is the
most sustainable fishing segment and this measure limits impacts on the
marine environment to a minimum. The maximum fishing capacity for the 25
NM FMZ is set in the Treaty of Accession and is reflected in Council
Regulation (EC) 1967/2006.
A number of fishing activities conducted by vessels larger than 12 m are
allowed to fish in the FMZ by way of derogation. These include a limited
number of trawlers, vessels fishing for lampuki and vessels fishing with small
pelagic purse seines and longlines.
3.2
The Maltese commercial fishing fleet
As from January 2013, the Maltese fishing fleet is currently composed of 399
full time vessels and 635 part time vessels. Out of these vessels 959 (92.7%)
vessels are below 12 m and are considered to be small-scale fishing vessels,
while the remaining 75 (7.3 %) vessels are over 12 m.
The main fisheries in Maltese waters are those for bluefin tuna, lampuki,
swordfish, demersal and small pelagics. These fisheries are mostly operated
on a seasonal basis, according to the particular targeted species’ migratory or
biological behaviour.
3.3
Recreational fisheries
As of January 2013, the recreational category of vessels in the Maltese Fishing
Vessel Register (FVR) is composed of 1,915 vessels. In accordance with
Article 17 of Council Regulation 1967/2006, the use of towed nets,
surrounding nets, purse seines, boat dredges, mechanised dredges, gillnets,
trammel nets and combined bottom-set nets and longlines for highly migratory
species are prohibited for recreational fisheries. Fish caught by vessels in this
category cannot be sold.
A Recreational Fisheries Board to discuss possible management measures
including the possibility of restricting fishing effort has been set up. The
Recreational Fisheries Board will provide a report with possible management
measures and this, together with a consultation exercise with stakeholders,
will be used as a basis to draft a Legal Notice on recreational fishing
establishing minimum thresholds in terms of effort, gear selectivity and
licensing to fish.
Fisheries covered by the multi-annual national management plan
The Maltese fisheries authority’s main mission is to manage the Maltese
Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) through responsible and sustainable
fishing. Provisions for the lampuki FAD (fish aggregating device) fishery are
set out in Article 27 of Council Regulation 1967/2006 and Article 12 of
Regulation No 1343/2011 of the Parliament and Council.
The lampuki (Coryphaena hippurus) is a shared stock which cannot be
managed unilaterally but requires joint management measures. In fact, the
Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) also
notes that this stock shows a wide spatial distribution and management has to
be co-ordinated with all the countries with fleets targeting such resources [1].
Furthermore, only limited data is available on the stock since data on the adult
portion of the stock is limited as fisheries generally target juveniles and C.
hippurus has a very wide geographical range and it being highly migratory it is
not known if it is a single population or several subpopulations of the species
exist. Due to these facts Malta’s efforts in order to manage the lampuki
resource are mainly focused on better monitoring and surveillance of the
fishing fleet and its activity, together with enhancing data collection and
knowledge about the biology of the species and the behaviour of the local fleet
targeting it. In order to do so the following management plan has been
developed.
As for other fisheries within the 25 NM FMZ, a scientific review was made in
order to give a detailed description of the fishery, to establish the fleet
structure and capacity, to identify the biological characteristics of the stocks
involved, and to identify the impact on by-catch species and the environment.
This review is appended as Annex 1 to this report.
Based on this scientific review, a list of findings and recommendations are put
forward and based on these recommendations management measures were
proposed.
Fisheries covered by the multi-annual national management plan
In line with Article 19 of Council Regulation 1967/2006, a management plan
for fishing with a surrounding net has been developed. This plan has been
developed for the Maltese fishing fleet licensed to fish for the lampuki using
FADs inside and outside the 25NM FMZ.
The management plan has been developed taking into account biological,
economic and social objectives. For this plan the following steps will be
followed
1. Definition of the objectives and quantification of targets to reach such
objectives
2. Review of the status of the stocks based on Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE)
and population state indicators obtained from local catches
3. Review of potential management tools and possible scenarios
4. Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential management
measures
5. Selection of best management tools
6. Implementation of the management measures, and
7. Monitoring and evaluation of the results.
The present plan should be considered as a living document. The plan will be
revised on the basis of new information (data) and in terms of the biological
and socio-economic performance of the chosen measures. Step 7 is therefore
of paramount importance.
Description of the fishery
The lampuki (C. hippurus), in Malta known as ‘lampuka’ (plural: ‘lampuki’),
is one of the most important species for the economy of the Maltese fishing
industry.
Due to its traditional appeal, a consistent number of boat owners participate in
this seasonal activity. Every season, in line with existent management
measures, a maximum of 130 vessels are authorised to fish for lampuki using
FADs in accordance to paragraph 2 of Article 27 of Council Regulation 1967/
2006 and a surrounding net with a central body and 2 wings, which does not
have a purse line and does not enclose the fish from below.
Lampuki FADs are of an artisanal nature. They consist of a floating
rectangular artisanal float anchored to the bottom by means of a limestone
block. Attached to the artisanal float are a number of palm fronds which serve
as primitive devices to attract fish.
The FADs are distributed along transects all around the Maltese Islands, with
the exception of another existent management measure reserving an area
known as the swordfish corridor to the south-west of Malta, which is reserved
for surface longline fishing. During the fishing season, during which the
lampuki aggregate under the FADs, authorised vessels catch the species by the
use of the surrounding net.
In line with Council Regulation 1967/2006, the surrounding net has a
maximum mesh size of 18 mm bar, a maximum total length ranging between
180 and 200 m and a maximum total drop of 36 m.
Maltese management plan for the lampuki FAD fishery
7.1
Objectives
Based on the biological, social and economic aspects of the fishery the
following objectives have been defined
1. Ensuring the sustainability of the stock through better monitoring of
Maltese vessels
2. Ensuring financial stability for fishers
For each objective, specific indicators and benchmarks were established so as
to reach the objectives of the plan.
Stock assessments for the related stocks are not available and thus the long
time series of landings data, together with population state indicators such as
yearly minimum size at first capture and average length are used in order to
deduce status of the stock. Target reference points are set based on the
findings.
The socio-economic indicators and targets were calculated based on a set of
variables and indicators using the economic data collected annually.
With the findings several scenarios were presented and assessed in order to
select the best management measures for the Maltese lampuki FAD fishery
within the 25 NM FMZ.
The objectives, indicators and targets are presented in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Objectives, indicators and targets for the lampuki fishery management
plan
Objectives
Indicator
Targets
Biological
1. Ensuring
1. Historical, stable
1. Trends in local
sustainability
series of landings
catches remain stable
taking into
consideration natural
oscillations of the
stock biomass.
2. Catches should
remain oscillating at
an annual average of
350 t
Socio-economic-
1. Ensuring financial
1. Stability or increase
1. Gross profit per
stability of fishers
in profit per vessel
vessel
7.2
Status of the stocks
C. hippurus is an epipelagic, oceanic species known to migrate over
considerable distances. Traditional small-scale fisheries targeting the juvenile
portion of this species take place in the central Mediterranean (Sicily, Malta,
Tunisia and Libya) and the Western Mediterranean (Balearic Islands). Due to
the fisheries targeting only the juvenile portion of the stock, complete stock
assessments of this species in the Mediterranean have never been performed,
since data about the adult portion is very limited.
In view of this lack of stock assessments, other available data was used in
order to deduce the status of the C. hippurus stock, which the Maltese fishers
have been traditionally harvesting for several decades.
Overall length frequency distribution of lampuki catches in the Maltese
Islands in 2005-2011 shows a decreasing trend in the minimum size of
juvenile C. hippurus landed. The average size of the fish was found constant
between 2005 and 2010, before declining from circa 40 cm to ca. 30 cm in
2011. Even though a stock assessment for C. hippurus in the Mediterranean is
currently not present, from these results it is clear that growth overfishing is
being exerted on the stock targeted by the Maltese fleet. Nonetheless trends in
Maltese landings, for which data is available since 1954, showed a stable
historic data series, with total lampuki landings oscillating around 350 t per
year. This stability shows that when considered on its own, the Maltese
lampuki fishery is sustainable, since catches remained stable over a long series
of years. It is the recent regional increase in catches that has resulted in
growth overfishing. This needs to be firmly considered for the development of
any regional measures. The lampuki fishery can be described as the backbone
of the Maltese fleet which has exploited the stock in a stable manner across
time.
Analysed regional data showed a significant increase in the total lampuki
landings in the Mediterranean, especially over the last decade. While in the
1970s the main contributor of landings was Malta (average of 96% at around
357 t), during the 1980s landings from Tunisia increased in such a way
(reaching an average of 30% of a total of 556 t) that in the 1990s Tunisia
became the main contributor (average 60% of a total of 793 t). The average
total landings in the Mediterranean reached 2,544 t in the 2000s, this level
heightening to an average of 4,015 t between 2005 and 2010. While between
2001 and 2005 on average lampuki landings in the Mediterranean were
attributed 63% to Tunisia, 26% to Malta and 11% to Spain, on average
between 2006 and 2010 Italy was responsible for 56%, Tunisia for 26%, Malta
for 10%, Spain for 4% and Libya for 4% of landings.
Malta clearly has a long history of targeting lampuki, and seems to be the only
country which did not increase its total lampuki landings over the last decade.
Italian landings on the other hand seem to have increased dramatically since
2005; Tunisian and Spanish landings have increased steadily since the 1980s
and the 1990s respectively, and Libyan fishermen for the first time harvested
as many lampuki as Malta in 2009.
7.3
Potential management tools
As explained in section 3, in line with Council Regulation 1967/2006, several
management tools are already in force for the Maltese fisheries. In addition to
these management tools, other tools are also being considered. In this section a
list of possible management tools is established and a brief description of each
tool is given.
7.3.1
List of possible management tools
Due to the migratory characteristics of the stock, the only possible
management tools that were considered are those that can be implemented at a
national level.
Catch Logbook - Article 14 of the Control Regulation (EC) 1224/2009
obliges vessels over 10m to record catches in a fishing logbook. The
requirement of a paper logbook will be extended to all vessels licensed to
partake in the lampuki FAD fishery to better monitor the catches and landings.
Vessel Monitoring System- Article 9 of the Control Regulation (EC) 1224/
2009 obliges vessels over 12 m to have a satellite based monitoring system to
better monitor fishing activities. This requirement will be extended to all
vessels in the fishery.
Fishing authorisations: Article 19 of Council Regulation 1967/2006 obliges
MS to have fishing authorisation for vessels included fishing in the FAD
fishery. This system has already been in place.
Fishing season: By Article 12 of Regulation 1343/2011 the fishing season for
the lampuki fisheries using FADs extends from the 15 th August till the end of
December of the same year. By way of derogation from paragraph, if a
Member State can demonstrate that, due to bad weather, the fishing vessels
flying its flag were unable to make use of their normal fishing days that
Member State may carry over days lost by its vessels in FAD fisheries until 31
January of the following year.
Designated ports: All vessels authorised to fish in the FAD fishery are
obliged to land in one of the designated ports and weigh their landing prior to
first sale as required under article 60 of Council Regulation 1224/2009.
7.4
Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential
management measures
For the lampuki FAD fisheries the following possible scenarios were
identified
Scenario 1: Freezing all fishing effort. This would be achieved by stabilising
both the number of licences as well as the number of fishing trips allowed to
the current level. This should lead to a stabilisation of the fishing effort which
in turn should minimise the risk on the stock. Increase in fishermen’s earnings
would therefore depend on increases in catches per unit effort (CPUE) and
increases in prices. These increases are, however, not expected to be
significant.
Scenario 2: Freezing fishing capacity by number of vessels but allowing the
number of fishing trips to fluctuate. The allowed increase in fishing trips could
have an adverse effect on the stock levels of lampuki. Fishermen’s income will
benefit from reduced competition resulting from stabilisation of vessel
capacity.
Scenario 3: Reduce fishing effort through the introduction of a temporary
cessation for the period spanning from 1 January to 31 January. This scenario
will minimise the risk of stock exploitation, whilst limiting the adverse impact
on fishermen earnings.
7.4.1
Estimate of production and fishing effort
For each of the identified scenarios, we have estimated the catches for
lampuki by reference to growth rates in the past as well as production growth
expectations for the future.
OECD [2] expects world fisheries production in 2020 to grow by about 15%
above the average level for 2008-2010. Major increases in the quantity of fish
produced will originate from aquaculture. However, for the projection period,
the annual growth rate of aquaculture is estimated at 2.8%; a reduction
compared to the rate of 5.6% of the previous decade. Capture fisheries are
expected to register small growth over the next ten years as shown in Figure 1
below.
Figure 1 Declining growth rate of fish production
On the other hand, the revised CFP estimates that a rise in average
consumption of between 0.5% to 1% average yearly growth rate is expected in
the majority of European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy Luxembourg, Malta and the
United Kingdom) [3].
The effects that the planned management measures might have on the fishing
effort have been taken into consideration in this procedure.
7.4.2
Projected price trends
OECD/FAO [2] expects world fish prices to continue the growing trend
experienced in 2010 and early 2011. They will be affected by income and
population growth, stagnant capture fisheries production, increasing feed cost
and higher crude oil prices. All these factors will contribute to the rise in fish
prices over the medium term.
However, OECD/FAO [2] opines that there will be different scenarios for
capture fisheries production and for aquaculture. With the growing price of
fishmeal and the higher price of other feeds, the spread between the average
In addition, the average price for wild fish should increase less than farmed
ones due to expected changes in fish composition, with more catches of lower
value fish.
OECD/FAO [2] expects the average world price for captured species to
increase by 23% and for aquaculture species by a significant 50% by 2020
compared to the average 2008-10. In addition to the need to compensate for
the higher cost of fish meal, prices of aquaculture will also grow due to strong
domestic demand.
The price-quantity relationship has been specified by various formulae in the
literature [4]. We have derived the price elasticity co-efficient from Nielsen
[5] and are summarised below.
Table 2 Price elasticity co-efficient for some of the species targeted in Malta
Species
-0.37
-0.22
Shrimp
-0.20
Choice of ordinary or inverse demand model may be based on the realism of
causality. In the case of food, the causality from demand changes to price is
found more realistic than vice versa, as demand for food seems more
determined by human needs, regardless of the price, than the demand for other
goods. In the case of seafood in particular, the causality from demand changes
to price is found more realistic than vice versa. This is because seafood is food
and that demand is given by a marked exogenous supply, which is determined
by circumstances such as bio-economy, weather, fishery management etc.
In the literature ordinary demand models are used to forecast demand and
inverse demand models are used to forecast price. In a part of this literature
both models are used on the same data set and thereby forecast properties are
tested. Burton (1992) finds that the inverse demand model forecasts price of
wet fish in UK significantly better than the ordinary model forecasts demand
for wet fish in UK. Eales et. al. (1997) reach the same conclusion regarding
Japanese fish markets.
7.4.3
Projected income streams
Revenues by species are obtained as a product of the projected price and the
estimated landings of a particular species. The costs of each fleet segment are
broken down in categories that include salaries and wages, energy costs,
repairs and maintenance costs, variable costs and non-variable costs. The cost
projections are based on cost relationships that are derived from actual results
registered in the period 2008 to 2011.
7.4.4
Supporting workings with respect to loss of profits estimates
The following table includes the workings that were used in estimating the
loss of profits that could be incurred in the different scenarios envisaged in the
management plans.
Table 3 Profitability estimate per vessel
Lampuki
Five year revenues
4,373,610
Number of vessels
123.00
Average five year revenue per vessel
35,558
Average profit conversion
10%
Average five year contribution per vessel
3,556
The information is based on the economic data collected annually for the
purpose of the EU Data
Collection Programme by means of a sample survey. This data provides
indications of the revenues generated by each type of fleet, nature and split of
operational costs between fixed and variable costs and resultant profit
contributions. The number of vessels is based on the fishing vessel register
information.
7.4.5
Carbon footprint of capture fisheries
Global fisheries have a number of environmental consequences. These
represent a cost to society, which is generally not accounted for by the
industry’s direct revenues and costs. Many of them are also very difficult to
assign a monetary value to.
Total CO 2 emissions from fisheries globally are around 132 million tonnes [6].
The cost of carbon has a wide range of estimates across the literature. After
considered analysis, the methodology adopted by the International
Sustainability Unit in February 2012 [7] uses a social cost of carbon of US$29
(€23) based on Tol, 2009 [8], but recognises the high margins of error and
differences of opinion inherent in this analysis.
To calculate the global cost to society of the impact of greenhouse gas
emissions linked to the fishery the average global figure for CO 2 emissions of
1.7 tonnes of CO 2 per tonne of catch could be used.
7.4.6
Projected results – lampuki
The management plan applies to fishing vessels authorised to fish for lampuki
using FADs. The authorised fleet in 2011 consisted of 123 boats having an
overall tonnage of 1,258 GT, a total main engine power of 16,122 kW and
provides 109 gainfully occupied jobs. This represents more than 11% of the
number of vessels registered in the Commercial fishing register. In 2011,
lampuki landings amounted to almost 342 metric tonnes (€850,786 in value
terms) which represents close to 18% of total landings but only 7.5% of its
selling value.
The management plan indicates that the current level of lampuki fishing is not
threatening the conservation of the target fish stock as shown by the stable
catch per unit effort. The management plan is in essence geared to freeze the
fishing capacity/effort until the necessary research is carried out to enable
future plans to provide a more reliable foundation for future initiatives. Three
simulation scenarios have been simulated to estimate the effects of the
different management initiatives included in the plan. For each scenario, given
the results on total landings, the model was used to estimate the changes in
economic variables over time. The main assumptions behind the different
scenarios are included in Table 3.
Table 4: Assumptions made in the scenario analysis
Landings growth
Scenario 1
0.80%
0.70%
0.60%
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
Scenario 2
5.00%
4.00%
3.00%
2.00%
1.00%
1.00%
Scenario 3
(10.00%)
0.70%
0.60%
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
Growth in prices
Scenario 1
(0.16%)
(0.14%)
(0.12%)
(0.10%)
(0.10%)
(0.10%)
Scenario 2
(1.00%)
(0.80%)
(0.60%)
(0.40%)
(0.20%)
(0.20%)
Scenario 3
2.00%
(0.14%)
(0.12%)
(0.10%)
(0.10%)
(0.10%)
Temporary cessation
Cost
% of current capacity
Scenario 1
-
100%
Scenario 2
-
100%
Scenario 3
(9,000)
100%
Lampuki landings are projected to increase in line with the projected national
average increase in landings when fishing effort is frozen i.e. growth per
annum in landings drops from 0.9% to 0.5% at which level it stabilises from
2016 onwards. These landings growth projections are based on OECD and
CFP studies that are referred to earlier. When fishing effort is not regulated it
is assumed that landings growth stabilises at 1% per annum from 2016
onwards.
The price-quantity relationship has been specified by various formulae in the
literature (Huang, 2005). We have derived the price elasticity co-efficient from
Nielsen [9] and assume that for every 1kg increase in landings, the price drops
by 0.2%.
Every month of temporary cessation leads to a 10% reduction in landings. The
cost of temporary cessation is set at €9,000 and is based on the estimated
earnings per vessel from the lampuki fishery activity over a five-year period.
The figures below show the outcome of the scenario analysis compared with
the 2011 baseline data.
397.44
353.76
315.86
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Figure 2 Landings in Metric Tonnes under each scenario
Landings are expected to stabilise under Scenario 1 wherein fishing effort is
frozen at current levels, drop significantly under scenario 3 where temporary
cessation policies are introduced. Landings are expected to increase mostly
under scenario 2 where fishing capacity is frozen but fishing effort is not
regulated.
Total income
Scenar io 3
784,407
Scenar io 2
986,021
Total income
Scenar io 1
878,536
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
Figure 3 Income in 2017 under each scenario
Fluctuations in income are mainly determined by the dynamics of landings
since price elasticity is generally low on fish products. Figure 3 shows that
income is highest under scenario 2 and lowest under Scenario 3, as indeed is
operating cash flow.
Table 5 Economic net present value of all scenarios compared to scenario 1
Scenario 1
Scena rio 2
Scenario 3
% variatio ns with Baseline
Baseline
14.3%
(15.8% )
While the economic net present value (ENPV, discounted at 5.5%) is positive
in scenario 2, scenario 3 represents the lowest return.
In view of the dual objective of conserving fish stocks and economic viability
of fishing sector, it appears that Scenario 1 is the plan which provides results
that are closest to its objectives since increase in landings is subdued when
compared to increases under Scenario 2 whilst still retaining positive net
economic benefits. Nonetheless these short term predictions must be treated
with caution due to the natural oscillating pattern of the stock and thus
Scenario 2 may also be considered to be viable based on the long series data
provided in Figure 10.
7.5
Selection of best management tools
Since the fishery is predominantly shared with other Member States and third
countries, Malta cannot unilaterally identify actions in order to manage these
stocks. In view of this, regional management plans based on a level playing
field with third countries are required. Malta will however continue to work
towards setting up these regional plans. Efforts like participation in the
MedSudMed and CopeMed II workshop and fisheries appraisal of C. hippurus
in the Mediterranean will be maintained.
Malta will continue working towards data collection and research towards the
following topics included in the work plan drafted by the MedSudMed
CopeMed II meeting
1. Identification of stock units in the Mediterranean sub-regions
2. Identification of critical habitats (nursery and spawning sites) and of
ecological requirements for the development of eggs and larvae
3. Definition of some biological aspects like growth parameters and
maturity ogives
4. Impact of fisheries based on FADs on by-catch species and on the
environment
Considering the stable historical time series of Maltese lampuki landings, the
state of this fishery if considered on its own is sustainable, that is, the level of
current fishing pressure can be maintained. Since the number of fishers
participating in the FAD fishery is already fixed, Scenario 2 is the most
favourable.
7.6
Implementation of management measures
The number of fishing vessels authorised to fish in the FAD fishery will be
retained to 130 vessels. Such vessels will be installed with a tracking system
as from 15 August 2014. In addition all 130 authorised vessels including those
below 10 m will have to record the landings in a catch logbook and land in a
designated port.
Furthermore the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will continue to
enhance data collection and research on
1. Identification of stock units in the Mediterranean sub-regions
2. Identification of critical habitats (nursery and spawning sites) and of
ecological requirements for the development of eggs and larvae
3. Definition of some biological aspects like growth parameters and
maturity ogives
4. Impact of fisheries based on FADs on by-catch species and on the
environment
7.7
Review of management measures
The review of the management measures will be conducted in 2018, unless
there is a drastic change in the catches /economic situation of the fishery. In
such cases the review should take place earlier. In the instance that regional
management plans are adopted, this management plan will be reviewed.
Conclusion
Malta is committed to continue improving its efforts in carrying out effective
monitoring and control of the fishing activity of the FAD fishery through
ongoing reviews of this action plan. However, in view of the fact that the stock
has a wide spatial distribution, well beyond the Malta 25 NM FMZ,
considerable knowledge gaps need to be filled in order to fully understand the
biology and population dynamics of lampuki; without this, scientifically
sound assessment of stock status cannot be achieved. Thus, it is critical that
management of this fishing activity be co-ordinated with all those countries
with fleets targeting lampuki in order to develop and implement integrated
effective management measures.
Annex 1 - Lampuki FAD Fishery
1. Description of the fishery
1.1
General description
The lampuki (C. hippurus) is one of the most important species for the
economy of the Maltese fishing industry. Due to its importance a consistent
number of boat owners participate in this seasonal activity.
Lampuki FADs are of an artisanal nature. They consist of a floating
rectangular structure anchored to the bottom by means of a limestone block.
Attached to the float close to the surface are a number of palm fronds which
serve to attract the fish. Whether lampuki simply seek refuge or are attracted
by other small fish, which serve as prey, hiding under the FADs is the subject
of ongoing scientific studies. The FADs are distributed along transects all
around the Maltese Islands with the exception of an area known as the
swordfish corridor in the south-west of Malta, which is reserved for fishing
with surface longlines. Once the lampuki are aggregated under the FADs, they
are caught by surrounding nets.
Figure 4 Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) typically used in the Maltese Islands
(adapted from [10]).
1.2
The Lampuki Net
The Lampuki net is a surrounding net with a central body and 2 wings, that
neither has a purse line and nor envelopes the fish from below. The net
consists of four main parts: two wings, a body (centre) and a landing-bag. The
centre is made up of various sections, and there are a further two strips of net
running the whole length of the net, both where it is attached to the float-line
and lead-line. Each section of the net has different specifications, and these
vary not only from fisher to fisher, but also for the same vessel as the season
progresses. It is usual to increase the number of meshes (depth), and make
other modifications as the fish grow larger and occur deeper.
Figure 5 Diagram of a Lampuki net [11].
The total length of the net varies from 180 metres as would be used by a
traditional craft of the luzzu type, to 300 metres for a large fishing vessel (20
m in length). The main component of the increase in length is in the wings,
particularly the second wing. Factors having an effect on the length of the
wings include length of vessel and manoeuvrability.
The setting wing (banda tal-pruwwa)
This varies in length from 54 metres for smaller vessels, to 100 metres for the
larger vessels. This is usually 400 meshes deep, but can be 600 meshes for a
large boat. It consists of mesh of 24-26 mm bar (usually 25 mm) and twine
from denier 210/6 to 210/9. As winter approaches, a net with wings of 500/
600 meshes is sometimes preferred (for reasons explained above).
The second wing (banda tal-poppa)
Though the specifications are the same as those of the setting wing in use at
the time, this wing is always considerably longer varying from 85-200 metres
depending on the size of the vessel.
The centre (fonti)
This consists of a central and upper landing-bag (qtil il-ħut), bordered on each
side by the shoulders (spalla) and below by the ëan. Though in the past, before
the introduction of mechanised winches, these parts had different
specifications, now it is usually only the landing-bag which is different from
the rest of the fonti. (It is possible that this name is derived from fond
meaning deep, as the net deepens in the centre). A simpler version of the fonti
has the landing-bag running its whole length.
The fonti varies in length from 24-50 metres (34 metres and 36 metres being
more common). It varies from 500 to 600 meshes deep. A 600 mesh fonti
could be 36 metres deep. The mesh size varies from 22 mm bar to 28 mm bar.
Some fishermen prefer a mesh size smaller than that used in the wings, while
others have it larger. The thickness of twine at the centre is thicker than at the
wings; denier 210/9 to denier 210/21 is usually used.
At the fonti, one might have 24 metres of netting. This would be attached to 16
metres of floatline (thus creating a bag). Furthermore, below it is attached to
12 metres of lead-line giving a ‘funnel’ effect. Such a fonti would drop to a
depth of about 26 metres.
The landing-bag (qtil il-ħut)
The landing-bag varies in length (at the float-line), from 10-15 metres. It
consists of meshes 300 x 300 or 400 x 400. The length at the bottom end is
reduced to create a funnel effect. This is the part of the net having the smallest
mesh size, with a variance of from 18 mm bar to 22 mm bar. Also, this is
where the net is at its strongest with a twine of denier 210/20, or for those
preferring lighter nets, denier 210/27 is more common. (Another factor
affecting choice of netting is number of crew, with small crews preferring
lighter nets).
The sardun – border / protective strip
Running the whole length of the net, both where it is attached to the float-line
and to the lead-line, is a strip of netting whose purpose is to avoid damage to
the net by floats / weights when the net is being hauled in by winches. Though
it is usual to have a sardun, it is not always present in smaller nets used on the
traditional luzzu.
The length corresponds to the length of the net, and the depth varies from 25
to 50 meshes, with 25 being more common. The mesh size is usually similar to
that of the wings 24/25 mm bar, but larger mesh of 28 mm bar is also used.
The twine varies from denier 210/15 to denier 210/21.
The float-line is 6 - 6.7 mm in diameter. The number of floats varies from 450
to over 600, depending on the length, and consequently, the weight of the net
and lead-line. Commonly used floats are 40 mm long. Whereas over the wings
the floats are spaced roughly every 30 cm. over the landing-bag, they are
practically touching. This is a result of the added lead-lines. When deeper nets
are used for the wings (600 meshes) the frequency of the floats is increased
(every 10 cm).
The lead-line, which is 12-14 mm diameter, weighs typically 40 kg/100
metres. While only one lead-line runs the length of the wings, three
consecutive lead-lines lie under the landing-bag. The general opinion among
fishers is that the more lead the better, as the net drops quicker and is therefore
more efficient. On the other hand, number of crew is a limiting factor in this
regard.
2. Maltese Fleet Structure and Capacity
The lampuki fishing season runs from 15 August till 31 December, but may be
extended to January due to bad weather days during the season in accordance
to article 12 of Regulation 1343/2011. Fishing authorisations for a maximum
of 130 vessels, with a set FAD trajectory per vessel, are issued on an annual
basis in accordance to article 27 of Council Regulation 1967/2009.
A summary of the 2011 fleet with lampuki fishing permits is presented below.
In 2011, vessel length varied from 6 m to 24 m, with an average vessel length
of 10 m. Vessel gross tonnage varied from 1 to 75 t, with an average gross
tonnage of 10 t. Vessel engine power ranged from 16 kW to 597 kW, with an
average power of 133 kW.
Table 6 2006-2011 fleet capacity data for the vessels licensed to fish for
lampuki (C. hippurus) using FADs
Average
Average
Average
Total
Number
Average
Total
length
age of
engine
engine
of
GT of
GT of
of
vessels
power
power
vessels
vessels
vessels
vessels
(years) 3
(kW)
(kW)
(m)
11.7
1264.4
139.9
15110.6
12.4
1076.6
11.2
11393.8
9.9
1140.2
10.4
128.2
14738.6
10.8
1172.9
10.6
136.4
15006
10.7
1197.3
10.4
138.3
15490.1
10.4
1257.7
10.3
133.2
16121.7
3 Average age refers to average age in reference year.
As can be seen from Table 6, fleet capacity of vessels targeting C. hippurus
remained constant in 2006-2011. Catches declined from 563 tonnes to a
minimum of 188.6 tonnes in 2008, but in 2010 recovered to 524.2 tonnes.
Table 7 Characteristics of vessels licensed to participate in the 2011 lampuki
(C. hippurus) fishery.
Average
Total
Vessel LOA
Number of
Average
Average GT
Number of
Number of
(m)
Vessels
kW
FADs
FADs
On the other hand in Tunisia about 260 vessels of an average length of 11 m
and engine power of 45 hp are involved in the lampuki fisheries, each boat
using between 17 and 75 FADs during each fishing season [12], compared to
38 boats deploying circa 1150-1500 FADs in Majorca in 2009.
3. Fishing effort data
Effort data are currently only available in terms of the total number of vessels
participating in the fishery (including vessel details such as vessel LOA, GT,
engine kW) and the total number of FADs deployed. Only estimates are
available on the actual number of fishing trips (since vessels < 10 m are
sampled through the Catch Assessment Survey), or on the number of FADs
visited during a fishing trip. Indeed the number of FADs visited during a
fishing trip can be highly variable, depending on factors such as vessel size,
abundance of fish and general weather conditions [13] as well as wind and
current conditions, in particular since the latter may have considerable
influence on capture probability [14].
3.2
Trends in Total Effort
The nominal annual fishing effort of the lampuki FAD fleet in terms of
number of FADs fished * number of fishing trips showed an overall increasing
trend during the period 2006-2011. This increasing trend was primarily due to
an important increase in the fishing effort exerted in 2011; the nominal fishing
effort recoded in 2011 increased by 64% compared to 2010.
A linear regression analysis was carried out in order to gauge the linearity of
the trend in the data series (Figure 6). The results returned a R 2 value of 0.69,
confirming that the trend was not linear due to important inter-annual
fluctuations in the data.
200000
y = 27756x - 6E+07
R = 0.6875
150000
100000
50000
Year
Figure 6 Temporal variation in nominal fishing effort, expressed in terms of
number of FADs fished * number of fishing trips by the lampuki FAD fishing
fleet in 2006-2011, with fitted regression line.
3.3
Trends in Monthly Effort
The monthly variations in mean nominal fishing effort in terms of the number
of FADs fished * number of fishing trips made during a fishing season
(August – January of the following year, where applicable) were analysed
(Figure 7).The results showed an increase in fishing effort recorded during the
month of August to peak levels of activity in September and October. Mean
fishing effort in November was similar to fishing effort exerted on the lampuki
stock in August; the lowest levels of activity were recorded in December and
January.
Such information is important in relation to the biology of the target species.
Data on the size (as fork length) composition of Maltese lampuki catches
shows that the smallest individuals are caught in August and September of
each fishing season; despite the rapid growth of the species, individuals which
are sexually mature are only fished in October-January (Figure 16).
15000
(N FADs * N Trips)
(Thousands)
10000
Mean Effort
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Month
Figure 7 Mean monthly fishing effort (+/- 1 SD) for the lampuki FAD fishing
fleet in 2006-2011; units are effort as number of FADs fished * number of
fishing trips.
Catch/effort control measures should target the months of August and
September, when the fishing effort, and thus the fishing mortality levels of the
lampuki stock by the Maltese lampuki FAD fishing fleet, are highest. Such
measures would allow more individuals to reproduce successfully and
ultimately will ensure long term sustainability of catches.
4. Biological characteristics of the main species caught
A brief description of the distribution of the main target species has been
included in Table 8 below. While Table 9 depicts information on the age,
maturity and spawning season of the commercial targeted and by-catch
species caught when fishing for the lampuki using FADs. The information
provided in the table has been gathered from several different literature since
such information is not specifically available for the Maltese waters.
Table 8 Species distribution of main species caught when fishing for lampuki
using FADs
Species distribution
Scientific
Vernacular
Geographic
Bathymetri
Species
Spawning/
name
name
al
c
habitat
Nursery site
Distribution
distribution
Dolphin fish
Cosmopolita
epipelagic, but
Surface
Open water
hippurus
n, tropical
also
waters-
when water
and
approaching
200m [16]
temperature
subtropical
the coast.
rises. [17]
waters [15]
Aggregate
under floating
objects in
search of
refuge and
prey [15]
Naucrates
Pilot fish
Circumtropi
Oceanic with a
Surface -
Eggs are
cal in
semi-obligate
30m [20]
pelagic.
tropical seas.
commensal
Young are
[18]
relationship
usually
with sharks,
associated
rays, other
with jellyfish
bony fishes
and drifting
and turtles
seaweed
[19]
[21]
Amberjack
Circumgloba
deep seaward
depth range
Eggs are
dumerili
l [22]
reefs;
1 - 360 m
pelagic.
occasionally
[23]
Juveniles
entering
associate
coastal bays
with floating
[23]
plants or
debris. [24]
Table 9 Maximum age, maturity and spawning season of main species caught
when fishing for lampuki using FADs.
Species
Max Age
Maturity (L 50 )
Spawning Season
Dolphin fish
4 years [25]
58.9 cm FL for
June to September
males and 62.5 cm
(Western
and
FL for females [26]
Central
Mediterranean)[27]
Pilot fish
3 years [28]
N/A
Probably
a
prolonged
spawning
season
starting from early
summer till late
autumn. [29]
Amberjack
17 years [30]
109.0 cm [31]
Peak spawning off
south Florida and
the Florida Keys
occurred
during
April and May [32]
5. Conservation Status of the Stock
The target species C. hippurus is an epipelagic, oceanic species known to
migrate over considerable distances. Traditional small-scale fisheries for
lampuki are carried out in the Central Mediterranean (Sicily, Malta, Tunisia,
Libya) and the Western Mediterranean (Balearic Islands). Although there is no
documented information for other areas in the Mediterranean it is likely that
Algerian artisanal fishers, and possibly others, also target C. hippurus [33].
The FAD fishery targets juvenile lampuki (0 age group), despite the fact that
the lifespan of this species has been estimated at four years [34].
Information on the biology, migratory patterns and population structure is
limited, and the only information on the conservation status of the
Mediterranean lampuki stock is a stock assessment carried out for the western
Mediterranean based on fisheries dependent data from Mallorca [34]. The
authors concluded that the exploited fraction of the lampuki population is
composed of individuals in the 0-age class, and suggest that fluctuations in
catches may be related to environmental parameters and to the migratory
behaviour of the species. Since only a part of the stock was included in the
assessment, the assessment was considered preliminary.
It is very likely that the Italian, Tunisian, Maltese, Spanish and Libyan
fisheries are exploiting a single, shared stock. Pla and Pujolar [35] used
protein electrophoresis to study the population genetic structure of lampuki in
the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. Genetic variability characteristic of a
highly migratory species was found, and the authors conclude that it is likely
that lampuki form one large panmictic population across the Mediterranean.
This conclusion was confirmed in a second study carried out by Zanuy and Pla
as part of the COPEMED project which assessed dolphinfish samples from
Malta and Tunis [36].
Using an approach based on mitochondrial DNA, Diaz-James et al. [37] have
provided evidence for the existence of a separate Mediterranean phylogroup.
Samples of dolphinfish taken from the Mediterranean were found to differ
significantly from those taken in the Northeastern Atlantic. Furthermore, the
Mediterranean samples showed a low level of genetic diversity. This implies
that despite the connection between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic via the
straits of Gibraltar, the population targeted by fishers in the Mediterranean is
separate to that found in the Atlantic. Diaz-James et al. [37] propose that this
may be due to the fact that the Mediterranean population was isolated for long
periods of time during successive ice-ages where the sea level in the
Mediterranean basin decreased, separating it from the Atlantic. These periods
of isolation were characterised by a decrease in the population of dolphinfish
resident in the Mediterranean – which explains the high degree of
homogeneity found between individuals across the Mediterranean.
A strong link between environmental factors and survival of larvae has been
investigated in studies by Alemany et al. [38], Kraul [39], Sabates et al. [40],
and Sabates and Saiz [41]. Larval survival appears to be coupled to areas
characterised by marine fronts where currents with different densities and
water temperatures meet. In these areas, downwelling occurs, concentrating
debris and plankton ensuring a ready supply of food and shelter for the larvae.
Survival is also dependent on anticyclonic currents that favour retention of
larvae in an area, temperatures of above 16 - 18 o C, and marine stratification
which further concentrates plankton in surface waters.
The Mediterranean population of Coryphaena hippurus spawns between June
and September in the Balearic islands. This region functions as an important
spawning ground for most of the large pelagic fishes inhabiting
Mediterranean. Monthly progression of maturity stage and gonadosomatic
index in adult fish sampled from the western and central Mediterranean show
a reproduction period from June to September [42]. A pre-spawning migration
of adult, mature dolphinfish into the Mediterranean from the Atlantic is
suggested, following migratory patterns similar to those of bluefin tuna
(Thunnus thynnus) [42]. The adult originate from a different spawning and are
at least one year old. The peak spawning season occurs in June and July. This
is the origin of the fish caught by traditional fisheries between August and
December [42]. The capture of dolphinfish fingerlings from the western
Mediterranean in June is in agreement with the proposed June - July spawning
peak in the Mediterranean.
During summer, the dynamics of surface water masses in the Balearic region
are mainly conditioned by the interaction between Surface Mediterranean
Waters (SMW), moving southward from the northern part of western
Mediterranean, and Modified Atlantic Waters (MAW), flowing northwards
from the Algerian Basin. This leads to a complex hydrographic situation with
strong currents in open water away from the continental shelf, fronts, and
eddies present in the area [47] As summer progresses, stratification and
surface water temperatures increase, while salinity decreases since a layer of
MAW forms above the denser SMW due to downwelling of the latter [38].
Larvae tend to concentrate on the continental shelf where there are no strong
currents and circulation is anticyclonic - favouring larval retention. The well-
mixed surface waters ensure that plankton is distributed uniformly [40].
Similar findings were made for dolphinfish in the waters around Hawaii [39].
Dolphinfish are particularly abundant during the summer months due to
propitious survival of larvae spawned around July. CPUE data shows that
maximum catches are recorded in the vicinity of an area where equatorial
currents meet colder northern currents.
The phenomenon of meridionalisation has led to Coryphaena hippurus
extending its range northwards in various marine basins. Range extensions
have been observed in the Mediterranean [43], and in the Pacific [44].
In order to reliably assess the population status of lampuki, regional
collaboration on data collection and data analysis is needed. In the absence of
such a regional stock assessment, available data on total landings in the
Mediterranean and stock parameters measured in the Maltese Islands since
2006 are presented in the rest of Section 5 below.
5.1
Trends in Regional Catches
Figure 8 Evolution of total lampuki landings from the Mediterranean in the
period 1970-2010 (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
The lampuki fishery using FADs was a developing fishery in the
Mediterranean over the last 4 decades. Based on catch data available from the
GFCM Capture Production Database, the total landings of lampuki in the
Mediterranean averaged around 376 t in the 1970s, increased to an average of
556 t in the 1980s and 793 t in the 1990s. Total landings continued to increase
during the 2000s (with an average of 2,544 t), especially during the last few
years (average total landings between 2006 and 2010 is 4,015 t). This means
that the landings of lampuki in the Mediterranean increased at least ten fold
over a period of forty years.
Based on the same data, changes in the exploitation pattern of this species by
country can be analysed (Table 10). During the 1970s the species was mainly
exploited by Malta with some landings from Tunisia, with no other country
recording landings of lampuki during the period. The same pattern can be
observed during the 1980s and 1990s, with increasing interest in the species
from Tunisia, being the main exploiter of this species in the 1990s. Interest
from other countries, mainly Italy and Spain started to be recorded during the
2000s, at which point their landings surpassed those from the Maltese Islands.
The greatest change in exploitation of this resource was observed during the
last 5 years of the series. While between 2001 and 2005 on average lampuki
landings in the Mediterranean were attributed 63% to Tunisia, 26% to Malta
and 11% to Spain, on average between 2006 and 2010 Italy was responsible
for 56%, Tunisia for 26%, Malta for 10%, Spain for 4% and Libya for 4% of
landings. Malta clearly has a long history of targeting lampuki, and seems to
be the only country which did not increase its total lampuki landings over the
last decade. Italian landings on the other hand seem to have increased
dramatically since 2005; Tunisian and Spanish landings have increased
steadily since the 1980s and the 1990s respectively, and Libyan fishermen for
the first time harvested as many lampuki as Malta in 2009.
Whilst the data is likely to give a reliable indication of the trend in landings,
earlier reports of lampuki being harvested by the Sicilian fleet do exist despite
the lack of data on Italian landings prior to 2005. According to Cannizzaro
[45] about 300 Sicilian, 200 Tunisian and 50 Majorcan artisanal vessels were
fishing for lampuki in the 1990s.
Table 10 Average percentage contribution of lampuki landings by country
from the 1970s onwards (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
Average percentage contribution of lampuki landings
Country
1970-
1980-
1990-
2000-
2001-
2006-
Tunisia
Figure 9 Evolution of lampuki landings by different Mediterranean countries
in the period 1970-2010 (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
5.2
Trends in Maltese Catches
Total landings data for the traditional Maltese ‘lampuki’ fishery have been
recorded since 1954. Total landings of lampuki have oscillated around an
average of 350 t per year since 1954. No pattern of increasing or decreasing
landings can be discerned. The fluctuations of total catches are likely to be due
to the impacts of environmental variations as well as the poorly understood
migratory behaviour of C. hippurus. Lleonart et al. [34] recorded a similar
pattern and suggested that these two related factors could result in both
recruitment and spawning failures in the Western Mediterranean. Recruitment
variations linked to fluctuations in oceanographic conditions is however likely
to be the more important factor affecting the number of juveniles available to
fishers, rather than spawning stock biomass [46].
In the absence of effort data for the historical time series another factor which
may have caused fluctuations in total landings is weather conditions during
the lampuki FAD season; rough weather will reduce the number of fishing
days available to fishers.
1954 1959 1964 1969
1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Figure 10 C. hippurus landings in the Maltese Islands since 1954 (historical
Maltese data).
Mean Landings (t)
Aug
Sep
O ct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Month
Figure 11 Mean monthly landings (+/- 1 SD9) for the lampuki FAD fishing
fleet in 2006-2011
An analysis of monthly variations in mean landings during the period 2006-
2011 (Figure 11) showed lower levels of landings in the month of August,
followed by two months of higher landings in September-October before
gradually decreasing in November. December and January only contributed
8% of the mean landings recorded in 2006-2011. This pattern is similar to the
pattern of mean monthly fishing effort exerted during the same period (Figure
7 above), indicating that monthly fluctuations in landings are linked to
variations in fishing effort. similar pattern of landing peaks in September-
October has been identified for the Balearic Islands based on 1987-1996 and
2004 seasonal data [28, 34], and for the Tunisian lampuki fishery, where 70%
of total landings in the 1990-1997 fishing seasons were landed during the
months of September and October [12].
5.3
Catch per Unit Effort
Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) estimates provide a relative index of stock
abundance; an increase in CPUE can be interpreted as a positive sign showing
that species are not yet subjected to overfishing. However, inter-annual
changes in CPUE can also be due to changes in fishing technology, stock
abundance due to natural fluctuations in population productivty, and changes
in the species targetted by fishers. All these aspects need to be taken into
consideration when interpreting CPUE as an indicator of stocks. Moreover,
particular caution needs to be applied in relation to stocks similar to C.
hippurus for which sinusoidal fluctuations are observed in time (Figure 10),
especially when the series of CPUE data being considered is relatively low. In
similar cases, in order fro CPUE data to have any meaning, data series must
cover multiple cycles, including several crests and troughs.
A CPUE analysis was nevertheless carried out for C. hippurus based on the
nominal effort parameter, number of FADs * number of fishing trips.
Results show a clear decreasing trend in CPUE for the lampuki FAD fishery of
the Maltese Islands over the analysed period 2006-2011. Due to the short time
series available and the considerable inter-annual variations in CPUE, linear
regression analysis gave a low value with regards to goodness-of-fit (R2 =
0.62). As already stated above, such results are to be treated with caution,
since the data series analysed is too short in order to be able to extract any
conclusive advice using CPUE trends.
0.05
(t / N FADs * N Trips)
y = -0.0052x + 10.42
0.04
R = 0.6198
CPUE
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
Year
Figure 12 Catch per unit effort (as t/number of FADs fished * number of
fishing trips) for lampuki (C. hippurus) estimated for the Maltese FAD fishery
during the period 2006-2011, with fitted regression line.
Total CPUE of C. hippurus fluctuates on a seasonal basis, and a migratory
pattern around the Maltese Islands has been hypothesised [46] was based on
an analysis of annual catch data from sales vouchers and the number and
location of FADs allocated to vessels in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009, as well as
fishers’ knowledge with regards to seasonal changes in fish distribution
patterns.
Figure 13 Density map of average CPUE in kg day -1 FAD -1 of C. hippurus for
the 2009 fishing season (August – December) [46].
Based on information from professional fishermen and patterns from the
monthly density maps of Maltese lampuki catches (Figure 13), C. hippurus
seem to migrate in a counter-clockwise direction from the South of Malta
(Marsaxlokk) to the west of Gozo (Xlendi) as the FAD fishing season
progresses from August to December. Statistical analysis confirmed that mean
landings per month were significantly different between districts during the
studied months. When mean landings per transect per season were analysed,
the district of Xlendi had significantly higher values compared to other
districts [46].
Figure 14 Mean C. hippurus landings per transect per season (kg/transect/
season) for each district in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 FAD fishing seasons;
error bars show 95% confidence intervals [46].
A limitation of this study was however that the number of fishing days was
only calculated based on the days fishers reported any catches; no data were
available on the number of days fishers went to sea without landing fish.
Moreover the number of FADs visited during a trip is highly variable and
depends on the weather and abundance of fish; the only data available was for
the total number of deployed FADs on each transect.
5.4
Population State Indicators from Maltese Data
In the absence of information on stock parameters from Italy, Tunisia, Spain
and Libya, information from the Maltese Islands is presented below.
Considering the fact that Malta was only responsible for 10% of total landings
in 2006-2010 it is clear that any reliable assessment of population state or
fishing pressure will need to also incorporate Italian and Tunisian data.
Nevertheless the available, fisheries-dependent, data from Malta was
presented below. At present, no fisheries-independent surveys of C. hippurus
have been carried out, and hence, no fisheries independent population state
indicators are available.
Figure 15 below shows the length frequency distributions for catches of
vessels measuring 6-12 m and 12-18 m, in 2005-2011. Lampuki have very
rapid growth rates and metabolism.
The length frequency distribution for 2011 illustrates an increase in landed
individuals measuring less than 30 cm fork length in 2011.
6-12 m vessels
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Fork Length (cm)
6-12 m vessels
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Fork Length (cm)
6-12 m vessels
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Fork Length (cm)
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Figure 15 Length frequency distributions of FAD lampuki (C. hippurus) catches in by
the 6-12 m and 12-18 m vessel length fleet segments in the Maltese Islands.
August
September
N Individuals Landed
20000
20000
10000
10000
Fork Length Class (cm)
Fork Length Class (cm)
November
October
N Individuals Landed
20000
20000
10000
10000
Fork Length Class (cm)
Fork Length Class (cm)
December
January
N Individuals Landed
20000
20000
10000
10000
Fork Length Class (cm)
Fork Length Class (cm)
Figure 16 Average monthly length frequency distribution of C. hippurus
recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2009-2011; fork length composition of
catches increases rapidly over the fishing season as a result of the high growth
rates of this species.
Minimum Size (cm)
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
Figure 17 Minimum size of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught by the 6-12 m and
12-18 m fleet segments in the Maltese Islands
An analysis of the overall length frequency distributions of lampuki catches in
the Maltese Islands in 2005-2011 shows a decreasing trend in the minimum
size of juvenile C. hippurus landed, both by the 6-12 m and the 12-18 m fleet
segments.
When considering maximum sizes of C. hippurus landed, an increasing trend
was observed from 2005 to 2009, followed by a decline in 2010 to 2011. This
is most likely due to the fact that until 2007 the fishery closed at the end of
December, whereas in 2008-2010 the season was extended until the end of
January, thus enabling fishers to target larger sized individuals.
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
Figure 18 Maximum size of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught by the 6-12 m and
12-18 m fleet segments in the Maltese Islands
Average size of fish caught remained constant in 2005-2010, before declining
from circa 40 cm to circa 30 cm in 2011.
Average Size (cm)
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
Figure 19 Average size of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught by the 6-12 m and
12-18 m fleet segments in the Maltese Islands.
Overall the decrease in minimum and average sizes of fish caught in recent
years indicates a cause for concern. Although the precise stock status is
unknown since a regional stock assessment would be necessary, it is clear that
growth overfishing is being exerted on the stock of C. hippurus caught by the
Maltese fleet.
Figure 20 Age in days against fork length (cm), for market samples of lampuki
(C. hippurus) caught in the Maltese islands in 2005-2010.
Table 11 Mean sagitta age (days), mean lapillus age (days) and mean fork
length (cm) for market samples of lampuki (C. hippurus) caught in the Maltese
islands in 2005-2010.
Mean Sagitta Age
95.6
88.6
100.2
46.6
114.8
83.0
Mean Lapillus Age
72.7
69.6
107.0
100.4
N/A
N/A
Mean Fork Length
(cm)
41.7
39.8
49.4
26.7
50.4
40.8
Mean sagittal age rose between the years of 2007 – 2009, falling to pre-2007
levels in 2010. A similar pattern can be observed for age determined via the
use of the lapillus method, although the latter was not carried out for 2009 and
2010. Since Maltese lampuki fisheries tend to target juveniles from the 0 age
class only a few individuals older than a year were obtained for sampling in
the laboratory. A total of 3 individuals were identified as being over 1 year old
in 2008. In 2009, 27 individuals were found to be 1 year old, while 4
individuals were 2 years old. Finally, in 2010, 5 individuals were found to be 1
year old, and 8 individuals were found to be 2 years old
Although effort data is only available for a short time series, six decades of
landings data fluctuating around a stable mean seems to indicate that even if
the fishery is not harvesting the lampuki stock at a maximum yield, the yield
from the Maltese fishery by itself is sustainable even in the long term. The
recent rise in overall landings of the species in the Mediterranean, and in
particular the dramatic rise in Italian landings may not be sustainable and
potentially may be the cause for the decrease in size of lampuki caught by
Maltese fishermen in recent years.
Nevertheless there are considerable knowledge gaps to be filled in order to
fully understand the biology and population dynamics of lampuki, without
which scientifically sound conclusions on stock status cannot be derived. For
this reason Malta is involved in a number of ongoing research initiatives,
described in more detail below.
6.Impact on By-Catch Species and the Environment
6.2
By-catch species
By-catch is taken to mean the total catch of untargeted fish which are of
commercial value. With regards to by-catch pilot fish (Naucrates ductor) and a
small number of small amberjack (Seriola dumerili) are caught besides the
target species in this fishery. The same species are caught as bycatch in the
Sicilian and Mallorcan lampuki fisheries [45, 47]. Other by-catch which is
taken on occasion includes chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and horse
mackerel (Trachurus trachurus).
Very rarely, at times catches include juvenile albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and
juvenile bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus)) which are returned to sea alive
since most species caught are below the minimum landing size.
6.3
Environmental Impacts
A study on the number and distribution of limestone slabs in Maltese waters
carried out by Pace et al. (2007a) found a much lower than expected
abundance of slabs. However, the study was carried out in areas where
trawling is permitted within the 25 nautical mile Maltese Fisheries
Management Zone; it is thus possible that the low number of recorded slabs
was due to the fact that trawlers clear trawling lanes from such obstructions.
Another potential explanation for the lower than expected number of
limestone slabs is that the slabs may be gradually sinking into the sediment
until they are completely buried and the possible disintegration resulting from
natural erosion reactions.
Limestone slabs dropped on sandy/muddy habitats may in fact have a positive
impact on the benthos of GSA 15 by providing a more heterogeneous habitat,
effectively acting as small artificial reefs and thus increasing biodiversity.
7. Ongoing Research
A workshop on fisheries and appraisal of C. hippurus in the MedSudMed and
CopeMed II Project areas was held in Palermo, Italy on 05 - 06 July 2011. The
meeting was attended by researchers from the institutions involved in
MedSudMed and CopeMed II activities, namely from Malta, Tunisia, Italy
and Spain.
The main objective of the meeting was to initiate a process that in the medium
term would lead to a better description of the fisheries and the stock of
C. hippurus in the Mediterranean region. In order to achieve this, ongoing
national activities on C. hippurus in the south-central and western
Mediterranean were reviewed together with the data available at national level
on this species.
The knowledge gaps to be filled in order to understand the biology and
population dynamics of this species in the Mediterranean region were
identified, thus beginning the process toward a joint regional stock assessment
of C. hippurus. The following topics were identified as topics to be included in
a work plan in order to progress on assessing the stock status of C. hippurus
•
Identification of stock units in the Mediterranean sub-regions
•
Identification of critical habitats (nursery and spawning sites) and of
ecological requirements for the development of eggs and larvae
•
Definition of some biological aspects like growth parameters and
maturity ogives
•
Impact of fisheries based on FADs on by-catch species and on the
environment
The Italian project Ritmare has recently made available funds to begin with
the study on stock connectivity of C. hippurus. Samples are currently being
collected throughout the Mediterranean in order to carry out a genetic
comparison and identify potential population sub-units. The sampling process
is being co-ordinated by the FAO regional projects CopeMed II, MedSudMed,
AdriaMed and EastMed; samples are being collected from the following
locations
•
North Tunisia
•
South Tunisia
•
Malta
•
Libya
•
Morocco Atlantic / Mediterranean
•
Spain (incl. Balearic Islands)
•
Tyrrhenian Sea
•
Northern Sicily
•
Southern Sicily
•
Adriatic (Montenegro)
•
Eastern Mediterranean
Samples from some of the locations mentioned above, including Malta, have
already been collected and sent to the University of Palermo, where they will
be analysed. A presentation of preliminary results is planned for a joint
MedSudMed - CopeMed II meeting on C. hippurus in 2013. Although this
project is a step in the right direction more funding to carry out scientific work
on C. hippurus is crucial if future management measures are to be based on
sound scientific advice.
8. Socio-economic characteristics of the fishery
The economic performance of the lampuki FAD fishery is based on a set of
variables and indicators which were calculated using the economic data
collected annually for the purpose of the EU Data Collection Programme
whereby surveys are carried out to owners of vessels chosen through stratified
random sampling. It must be noted that the majority of the fishers surveyed do
not have any accounting practices and thus values obtained cannot be
considered as precise. The population is defined as the entire Maltese
commercial fishing fleet which includes the entire full-time commercial
(MFA) and part-time commercial (MFB) fishing vessels. Both inactive and
active vessels were considered.
It is very important to note that vessels using FADs also use other fishing gear
throughout the year. Economic variables related only to the fishery using
FADs started being collected for the reference year 2011 specifically for use in
the management plans. For previous years, in order to estimate data solely
related to the use of FADs, energy costs, repair and maintenance costs,
variable costs, wages and salaries were divided by the proportion of working
hours spent on FADs obtained for the reference year 2011.
The different regulations upon which the national data collection was based
that is, DCR (Data Collection Regulation) and DCF (Data Collection
Framework) introduce differences in the type of data collected and
consequently the variables available. Data collected for the reference year
2006 and 2007 are based on the DCR, while data collected for the reference
years 2008 to 2011 are based on the DCF.
Table 12 Values for the economic variables and indicators for the vessels
licensed to fish for lampuki (C. hippurus) using FADs.
Economic
Variables
Gross Value of
EURO
875,106
805,285
725,564
873,405
1,049,133
850,786
landings
Other income
EURO
N/A
N/A
46,370
196,429
Total income
EURO
875,106
805,285
771,934
1,069,834
1,049,133
850,786
Energy costs
EURO
241,378
116,778
106,172
159,141
416,503
392,366
and
maintenance
EURO
40,256
20,966
56,259
43,070
60,241
78,817
Variable costs
EURO
225,860
101,345
264,134
177,457
196,757
8,506
Non-variable
EURO
25,865
9,674
28,841
37,823
60,033
90,981
Total costs
EURO
533,359
248,763
455,406
417,491
733,534
570,670
Economic
Performance
Indicators
Operating Cash
EURO
269,041
515,498
261,414
507,126
32,858
87,768
Flow (OCF)
Variables
and
EURO
72,706
41,024
55,114
145,217
282,741
192,348
salaries of staff
of
NUM
N/A
employees
BER
No. of
FTE
NUM
N/A
N/A
National
BER
The highest value for gross value of landings was experienced during the year
2010 and amounted to €1,049,133, while the highest value for total income
was that for the year 2009 and amounted to €1,069,834. The latter’s positive
difference is attributed to the substantial value of other income for the year
2009, amounting to €196,429. Variable costs and energy costs for all the years
are the highest costs as a fraction of total costs except for 2011 where the
variable costs were very low. This low value may be attributed to the fact that
the 2011 questionnaires were directed towards getting data directly related to
the lampuki fishery while in previous years they were not. The next highest
costs are the wages and salaries followed by the repair and maintenance costs.
The lowest cost value for all the years is that of the non-variable (fixed) costs
with the exception of 2011 where the non-variable costs surpass the repair and
maintenance costs. Again this exception is probably due to the fact that fishers
were asked for costs related to FADs fishing gear only in 2011.
Wages and salaries for the year 2010 are the highest amongst the six year trend
and amount to €282,741. In practice this type of seasonal fishery mainly
applies the concepts of cost-sharing and profit sharing amongst all the people
working on board.
In conclusion, the best year in terms of operating cash flow was the year 2007
with a gross profit amounting to €515,498.
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age and growth of Naucrates ductor in the small scale FADs fishery of
Mallorca Island (western-Mediterranean). Scientia Marina, 1999. 63(3-
4): p. 355-366.
(1) Management plans for certain fisheries are hereby
being adopted, made applicable and enforceable, as the case may be
and according to law in Malta, the said management plans being
th os e p r ov ided fo r in th e Fir st Sch ed ul e an d in th e Seco n d
Schedule.
(2) Without prejudice to the general applicability of subarticle
(1), the management plans referred in under subarticle (1) include
tables with the objectives, indicators and targets as found in the
Third Schedule, in the Fourth Schedule and in the Fifth Schedule,
which tables are, respectively
(a) Table 1 which shows the objectives, indicators and
targets for lampara;
(b) Table 2 which shows the objectives, indicators and
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
targets for bottom otter trawlers;
(c) Table 3 which shows the objectives, indicators and
targets for lampuki fisheries.
(3) Without prejudice to the general applicability of subarticle
(1), as referred in the management plans, it is expected that within
the time periods or under those circumstances as established
hereunder, or as established in the management plans or according
to the discretion of the Director, there shall be
(a) a reduction of lampara fisheries by 20% (equivalent to
3 vessels) by the end of 2015; and
(b) a reduction of the fishing effort in the case of bottom
otter trawl fisheries through the introduction of a
capacity reduction plan targeting 20% reduction in
capacity, as well as a reduction of the same fishing
effort by 10% through the introduction of a temporary
cessation for the period spanning from 15 August to 15
September; and
(c) in the case of lampuki fisheries, the number of fishing
vessels authorised to fish in the Fishing Aggregating
Devices fishery will be retained to 130 vessels and on
such vessels there will be a tracking system installed
as from the 15th August 2014 onwards, while the
same vessels, including those under 10 metres length,
will have to register their landings in their catch
logbook and land in a designated port.
(4) Without prejudice to the general applicability of subarticle
(1), as referred in the management plans, the Director shall enhance
data collection and research on
(a) the identification of stock units in the Mediterranean
sub-regions; and
(b) the identification of critical habitats (nursery and
spawning sites) and of ecological requirements for the
development of eggs and larvae; and
(c) the definition of some biological aspects like growth
paramenters and maturity ogives; and
(d) the impact of fisheries based on Fishing Aggregating
Devices on by-catch species and on the environment.
(5) The Director shall be responsible for the implementation
and enforcement of the management plans referred to under this
article and for such purposes shall have all those powers pertaining
to said Director under the Act.
[Article 3(2)]
Table 1: Lampara objectives, indicators and targets
Objectives
Indicator
Targets
1. Ensuring
1 Catch Per Unit Effort 1. CPUE trend does not
sustainability
(CPUE)
decrease below the
annual 25% threshold
for Chub Mackerel
(Scomber
japonicus)
and Round Sardinella
(Sardinella
aurita)
which lie at CPUE of
3.09 and 2.15 kg/kW *
fishing
days
respectively
Socio-economic
1. Ensuring
1. Stability or increase of 1. Gross profit per vessel
financial stability
profit per vessel
of fishers
2. Safeguarding
2. Ensuring that fishing 2. Number of vessels, GT,
artisanal fishing
capacity in terms of
kW and gear dimensions
activity
number of vessels, GT
at that of 2012 or less
and gear dimensions
does not increase
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
1
Lampara fishery
4.2
Bottom otter trawling fishery
4.3
Biological Review
4.4
Socio-economic review
4.4.1
Projected price trends
4.4.2
Projected income streams
Maltese management plan for the lampara fishery
[Article 3(2)]
Table 2: Bottom Otter trawler objectives, indicators and targets
Objectives
Indicator
Targets
Biological
1. Reducing fishing 1. Reduced number
of 1. Reduction of fishing
mortality
fishing days
effort and reduction of
capacity by at least 30%
2. Reduction in total kW
allowed within the 25
NM FMZ
Socio-economic
1. Ensuring
1. Gross profit per sector
1. Stability or increase of
financial stability
income per vessel
of fishers
1
Objectives
5.2
Review of the status of the stocks based on Catch per Unit Effort
(CPUE)
5.2.1
Status of the stocks
5.2.2
Species Composition of Landings
5.2.3
Trends from Catch per Unit Effort data
5.2.4
Trends of biomass from the MEDIAS survey
5.2.5
CPUE Thresholds
5.3
Potential management tools
5.3.1
List of possible management tools
5.4
Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential
management measures
5.5
Management measures to be adopted
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
5.6
Implementation of management measures
5.7
Review of management measures
Maltese Management Plan for the bottom otter trawler fishery
[Article 3(2)]
Table 3: Lampuki objectives, indicators and targets
Objectives
Indicator
Targets
Biological
1. Ensuring
1. Historical, stable series 1. Trends in local catches
sustainability
of landings
remain stable taking into
consideration
natural
oscillations of the stock
biomass.
2. Catches should remain
oscillating at an annual
average of 350 metric
tonnes
Socio-economic
1. Ensuring
1. Stability or increase in 1. Gross profit per vessel
financial stability
profit per vessel
of fishers
1
Objectives
6.2
Review of the status of the stocks
6.2.1
Trends from landings data
6.2.2
Trends from Catch per Unit Effort data
6.2.3
Trends of biomass from the MEDITS survey
6.2.4
Stock assessments
6.3
Potential management tools
6.3.1
List of possible management tools
6.4
Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential
management measures
6.5
Selection of best management tools
6.6
Implementation of management measures
6.7
Review of management measures
Conclusion
Annex I - Lampara
1.1
Description of Fishery
1.2
Fleet Structure and Capacity
1.3
Fishing effort
1.3.1 Effort Data
1.3.2 Total Effort
1.3.3 Monthly Effort
1.4
Conservation Status of Stocks
1.5
Evolution of Landings
1.5.1 Evolution of Total Landings
1.5.2 Species Composition of Landings
1.6
MEDIAS Biomass Indices
1.7
Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) Data
1.7.1 Evolution of CPUE Trends
1.7.2 CPUE Thresholds
1.8
Stock Assessments
1.9
Impact on the By-Catch Species and the Environment
1.10
Socio-Economic Characteristics of Fishery
Annex 2 - Bottom Otter Trawlers
1. Fisheries Characteristics
Fleet Structure and Capacity
Total landings over 2007-2011
1.2.1 Evolution of Total Landings
1.2.2 Species Composition of Landings
2. MEDITS Biomass Indices
Fishing Effort
2.1.1 Evolution of CPUE Trends
3. Biological characteristics of the main species caught
Stock assessments
4. Environmental Impacts
Impact on Marine Habitats
Impact on Coastal Resources
By-Catch and Discards
5. Socio-Economic Characteristics of Fishery
Capacity utilization
5.1.1 Economic performance of the trawl fleet
Annex 3 – Economic variables
List of definitions and formulas – Indicators
REFERENCES
List of Figures
Declining growth rate of fish production.
Regression analysis of total annual landings of the lampara fleet
recorded in 2006-2012.
Total annual landings of the lampara fleet for the key target
species Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and Round
Sardinella (Sardinella aurita) compared to the combined annual
landings of all other species recorded for the period 2006-2012.
Relative contribution of Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus),
Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and other species as mean
percentage contribution to total monthly landings (±1SD)
recorded for the period 2006-2012.
Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for Chub Mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for
the period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for Round
Sardinella (Sardinella aurita) recorded in the Maltese lampara
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
fishery for the period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Landings in Metric Tonnes under each scenario
Income and Operating cash flow in 2017 under each scenario
Regression analysis of total annual landings of the trawl fleet
recorded in 2006-2011.
Mean monthly total landings (±1 SD) for the trawl fishing fleet in
2006-2011.
Total annual landings of the trawl fleet for the key target species
giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red
mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), compared to the comb
Relative contribution of the key target species: giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus
longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and
striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), to total mean monthly landings
(±1SD) recorded for the period 2006-2012
Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for the key target
species: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red
mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), recorded in the
Maltese trawl fishery for the period 2006-2011.
Biomass indices for the main target species caught during the
MEDITS survey for the years 2007-2011
Landings in Metric Tonnes under each scenario
Income in 2017 under each scenario
Figure 17: Temporal variation in nominal fishing effort,
expressed as engine strength (kW)* fishing days, for the lampara
fishing fleet, with fitted regression line.
Temporal variation in nominal fishing effort, expressed as vessel
gross tonnage (GT)* fishing days, for the lampara fishing fleet,
with fitted regression line.
Mean monthly fishing effort (+/- 1 SD) for the lampara fishing
fleet in 2006-2012; units are effort in engine strength (kW)*
fishing days.
Mean monthly fishing effort (+/- 1 SD) for the lampara fishing
fleet in 2006-2012; units are effort in vessel gross tonnage (GT)*
fishing days.
Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landings recorded in the
Maltese Islands in 1954-2012 (Source: Maltese National
Statistics).
Regression analysis of total annual landings of the lampara fleet
recorded in 2006-2012.
Total annual landings of the lampara fleet for the key target
species chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and round sardinella
(Sardinella aurita) compared to the combined annual landings of
all other species recorded for the period 2006-2012.
Relative contribution of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus),
round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and other species as mean
percentage contribution to total monthly landings (±1SD)
recorded for the period 2006-2012.
Biomass Indices for lampara target species obtained from
MEDIAS
Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for chub mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for
the period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Catch per unit effort (as kg/GT*Fishing Days) for chub mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for
the period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for round
sardinella (Sardinella aurita) recorded in the Maltese lampara
fishery for the period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Catch per unit effort (as kg/GT*Fishing Days) for round
sardinella (Sardinella aurita) recorded in the Maltese lampara
fishery for the period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Regression analysis of total annual landings of the trawl fleet
licensed to work within the Malta FMZ recorded in 2006-2011.
Mean monthly total landings (±1 SD) for the trawl fishing fleet in
2006-2011.
Total annual landings of the trawl fleet for the key target species
giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red
mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), compared to the
combined annual landings of all other species recorded for the
period 2006-2011.
Relative contribution of the key target species: giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus
longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and
striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), to total mean monthly landings
(±1SD) recorded for the period 2006-2011.
Biomass index for M. merluccius
Biomass indices for Mullus spp.
Biomass Index for A. foliacea
Biomass Index for P. longirostris
Catch per unit effort (as kg/GT*Fishing Days) for the key target
species: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red
mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), recorded in the
Maltese trawl fishery for the period 2006-2011.
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for giant
red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) recorded in the Maltese
trawl fishery for the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass
indices recorded during annual scientific surveys for the period
2006-2011. Both indices are shown for data from the 25 NM FMZ
only.
Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for pink
shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) recorded in the Maltese trawl
fishery for the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass
indices recorded during annual scientific surveys for the period
2006-2011. Both indices are shown for data from the 25 NM FMZ
only.
Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for hake
(Merluccius merluccius) recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for
the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass indices recorded
during annual scientific surveys for the period 2006-2011. Both
indices are shown for data from the 25 NM FMZ only.
Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) red
mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.) recorded in the
Maltese trawl fishery for the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS
biomass indices recorded during annual scientific surveys for the
period 2006-2011. Both indices are shown for data from the 25
NM FMZ only.
Map showing the available information about the presence of
sensitive habitats within the Malta FMZ, areas where trawling is
authorised as per Annex V of Council Regulation 1967/2006/EC
(marked as ‘Authorised trawling zones’), trawling zones as
amended trawling zones’).
Average length frequency distributions of discards measured for
the whole Maltese trawling fleet in 2009-2011; red line indicates
minimum landing size as per Council Regulation 1967/2006/EC
where applicable.
Ratio between actual per vessel effort deployed and maximum
effort (observed and theoretical) for the Maltese bottom otter
trawl fleet in 2006-2011.
List of Tables
trawl
Profitability estimate per vessel
Objectives, indicators and targets for the lampara fishery
management plan
Central Mediterranean landings (t) of species targeted by the
lampara fishery. Malta’s values include landings from all of the
Maltese fleet and not only from the lampara fishery. Source
GFCM Production Statistics; reference year 2010.
Monthly CPUE threshold limits for the Maltese lampara fleet
based on 25th percentile of monthly CPUE recorded during 2006-
2012. Assumptions made in the scenario analysis
Economic net present value compared of all scenarios to scenario
Objectives, indictors and targets for the bottom otter trawler
fishery management plan
Landings of key taxa fished by Maltese bottom otter trawlers in
the Maltese FMZ during 2006-2011.
Species characterised by an important increase in landings
recorded from Maltese bottom otter trawlers in the Maltese FMZ
during 2006-2011.
Results of stock assessments conducted in 2011 and 2012; F cur =
current fishing mortality (F).
Assumptions made in the scenario analysis
Economic net present value compared of all scenarios to scenario
Minimum, maximum and average dimensions of Lampara nets
2006 - 2012 fleet capacity data for the lampara fleet
Percentage contribution of vessels with <12 m length overall
(LOA) to total lampara fleet effort. Effort data are represented in
terms of kW*fishing days and GT*fishing days. SD = standard
deviation.
Percentage contribution of vessels with >12 m length overall
(LOA) to total lampara fleet effort. Effort data are represented in
terms of kW* fishing days and GT*fishing days. SD = standard
deviation.
Percentage contribution to total landings by small vessels (<12 m
in length) and large vessels (>12 m in length) in the lampara fleet.
SD = standard deviation.
Landings (tonnes) of key target species of the lampara fishery
obtained from logbooks and sales market vouchers.
Cumulative frequency of annual CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing
days for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the
Maltese lampara fleet during 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of
the CPUE data is highlighted in bold.
Cumulative frequency of annual CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing
days for round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese
lampara fleet during 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the CPUE
data is highlighted in bold.
Percentage monthly contribution to total annual landings for chub
mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the Maltese lampara
fleet during 2006-2012. The months which represent the main
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
fishing season of the species are marked in bold.
Percentage monthly contribution to total annual landings for
round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese lampara
fleet during 2006-2012. The months which represent the main
fishing season of the species are marked in bold.
Cumulative frequency of monthly CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing
days for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the
Maltese lampara fleet during the months of April-August 2006-
2012. The 25th percentile of the CPUE data is highlighted in bold.
Cumulative frequency of monthly CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing
days for round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese
lampara fleet during the months of May-August 2006-2012. The
25th percentile of the CPUE data is highlighted in bold.
Monthly CPUE threshold limits for the Maltese lampara fleet
based on 25th percentile of monthly CPUE recorded during 2006-
2012. Central Mediterranean landings (t) of species targeted by the
lampara fishery. Malta’s values include landings from all of the
Maltese fleet and not only from the lampara fishery. Source
GFCM Production Statistics; reference year 2010.
Values for the economic variables and indicators for the lampara
fleet, years 2006-2011. For definitions of the variables and
indicators used refer to Annex 3.
Vessels licensed to use bottom otter trawl gear within the Malta
FMZ.
Landings of key taxa fished by Maltese bottom otter trawlers in
the Maltese FMZ during 2006-2011.
Species characterised by an important increase in landings
recorded from Maltese bottom otter trawlers in the Maltese FMZ
during 2006-2011.
Species distribution of targeted species
Maximum age, maturity and spawning season of targeted species
Results of stock assessments conducted in 2011 and 2012; Fcur =
current fishing mortality (F).
Ratio between F estimated and F target (F/Ft) for the Maltese bottom
otter trawl (OTB) fleet in 2011.
Data used to calculate fleet capacity indicator for the Maltese
trawl fleet.
Summary of the technical indicator for the Maltese trawl fleet.
Values for the economic variables and indicators for the trawl
fleet, years 2007-2011. For definitions of the variables and
indicators used refer toAnnex 3 – Economic variables.
Abbreviations used
AIS
Automatic Identification System
CFP
Common Fisheries Policy
CPUE
Catch per Unit Effort
CU
Capacity utilisation
DCF
Data Collection Framework
DCR
Data Collection Regulation
DFA
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
EnerCost
Energy cost
EU
European Union
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organisation
FTE
Full-time equivalent
FMZ
Fisheries Management Zone
FVR
Fishing Vessel Register
GFCM
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean
GT
Gross Tonnage
GNP
Gross National Product
GVA
Gross Value Added
ICCAT
International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic
Tuna
NoVarCost
Non-variable costs
OCF
Operating cash flow
OECD
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
RepCost
Repair and maintenance costs
RightsCost
Lease/rental payments for quota and other fishing rights
SGBRE
Subgroup on Balance between Resources and Exploitation
STECF
Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
TotDepHist
Value of physical capital: depreciated historical value
TotDepRep
Value of physical capital: depreciated replacement value
VarCost
Variable costs
VMS
Vessel Monitoring System
1. Introduction
The Maltese archipelago lies more or less at the centre of the Mediterranean,
93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa in a maritime area largely
characterised by international waters.
Malta is geographically the smallest EU Member State and its coastline
amounts to around 0.8% of the total EU coastline * .
The Maltese fleet is predominantly small-scale with a rich and extensive
artisanal portfolio. It accounts for around 0.03% of the total EU catch † .
The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)
notes that because most of the resources are shared with other countries, the
current status of stocks depends little on the activity of the Maltese fleet. The
STECF concludes that this fact creates many problems for identifying actions
that the Management Plan can carry out unilaterally.
Malta’s geographic position and size, the scale of its fishery, and the scale of
its fishery, the spatial distribution of exploited stocks and fishing grounds
shared with neighbouring EU and non EU countries, severely restrain the
scope of any unilateral conservation effort and de-facto limit the applicability
of Article 19 of Council Regulation 1967/2006.
2. The Common Fisheries Policy and the Mediterranean Sea
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets out the main framework for
managing the fisheries sector in the EU. Because of the characteristics of the
Mediterranean fishery, EU catch limits or quotas are not applicable, with the
exception of limits on bluefin tuna that have been introduced in response to
recommendations by the International Commission on Conservation of
Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT). Apart from the general absence of catch limits, in all
other respects, the region is subject to a range of EU wide management
measures, including requirements relating to the EU vessel register, licensing,
monitoring and control arrangements, and data collection measures.
The core of EU Mediterranean fisheries management measures are set out in
EU Council Regulation (EC) 1967/2006 concerning management measures
for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean.
Article 19 of the said regulation, together with Council Regulation (EC) No
2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries
resources under the Common Fisheries Policy, form the legal framework for
the implementation of management plans.
* Including data on Croatia
† Based on 2009 Eurostat data
3. The Maltese fisheries
3.1
The 25 nautical mile Fisheries Management Zone (25NM FMZ)
The provisions related to the 25 nautical mile management zone (25 NM
FMZ) around Malta are outlined in Article 26 of the Council Regulation 1967/
2006. Therefore the fisheries covered by this management plan are already
subject to a number of targeted measures including measures limiting fishing
effort, capacity, vessel size, engine power and fishing areas for certain modes
of fishing.
The main fleet segment which is allowed to fish in the 25 NM FMZ is that
composed of vessels smaller than 12 m. The small scale artisanal sector is the
most sustainable fishing segment and this measure limits impacts on the
marine environment to a minimum. The maximum fishing capacity for the 25
NM FMZ is set in the Treaty of Accession and is reflected in Council
Regulation (EC) 1967/2006.
A number of fishing activities conducted by vessels larger than 12 m are
allowed to fish in the FMZ by way of derogation. These include a limited
number of trawlers, vessels fishing for dolphinfish and vessels fishing with
small pelagic purse seines and longlines.
Annex V of Council Regulation (EC) 1967/2006 also sets the authorised
trawlable areas within the 25 NM FMZ. In this regard it is also pertinent to
note that the Maltese authorities are currently studying the possibility of
relocating part of the authorised trawlable areas due to the closure of parts of
the areas due to protected habitats present in the zones and the zones within 3
NM. This issue will be examined under different cover and will include a
review on the trawlability of the said zones.
3.2
The Maltese commercial fishing fleet
As from January 2013, the Maltese fishing fleet is currently composed of 399
full time vessels and 635 part time vessels. Out of these vessels 959 (92.7%)
vessels are below 12 m and are considered to be small-scale fishing vessels,
while the remaining 75 (7.3 %) vessels are over 12 m.
The main fisheries in Maltese waters are those for bluefin tuna, dolphinfish,
swordfish, demersal and small pelagics. These fisheries are mostly operated
on a seasonal basis, according to the particular targeted species’ migratory or
biological behaviour.
3.3
Recreational fisheries
As of January 2013, the recreational category of vessels in the Maltese Fishing
Vessel Register (FVR) is composed of 1,915 vessels. In accordance with
Article 17 of Council Regulation 1967/2006, the use of towed nets,
surrounding nets, purse seines, boat dredges, mechanised dredges, gillnets,
trammel nets and combined bottom-set nets and longlines for highly migratory
species are prohibited for recreational fisheries. Fish caught by vessels in this
category cannot be sold.
A Recreational Fisheries Board to discuss possible management measures
including the possibility of restricting fishing effort has been set up. The
Recreational Fisheries Board will provide a report with possible management
measures and this, together with a consultation exercise with stakeholders,
will be used as a basis to draft a Legal Notice on recreational fishing
establishing minimum thresholds in terms of effort, gear selectivity and
licensing to fish.
4. Fisheries covered by the multi-annual national management plan
In line with Article 19 of Council Regulation 1967/2006, two management
plans have been developed; one for the lampara purse seine fishery and one
for the bottom otter trawler fishery. The management plans have been
developed taking into account biological, economic and social objectives and
will be implemented for the vessels within the 25 NM FMZ. For each plan the
following steps will be followed
1. Definition of the objectives and quantifying targets to reach such
objectives
2. Review of the status of the stocks based on indices of stock abundance
obtained from stock assessments where possible and on Catch per Unit
Effort (CPUE)
3. Review of potential management tools and possible scenarios
4. Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential management
measures
5. Selection of best management tools
6. Implementation of the management measures and
Monitoring and evaluation of the results.
The submitted management plans should be considered as a living document.
The plans will be revised on the basis of new information (data) and in terms
of the biological and socio-economic performance of the chosen measures.
Step 7 is therefore of paramount importance.
4.1
Lampara fishery
The management plan applies to Lampara fishing vessels authorised to carry
out pelagic fisheries. The main target species include Chub Mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) and Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita).
The lampara fleet consists of 18 boats having an overall tonnage of 520 GT, a
total main engine power of 3,236 kW and provides 25 jobs. This represents
less than 2% of the number of vessels registered in the Commercial fishing
register. 17 vessels in this fleet are on average 16 m long, with an average
tonnage of 25 GT and average engine power of 151 kW.
In 2011, lampara production amounted to 176 metric tonnes (€191,000 in
value terms) which represents 9% of total landings but less than 2% of the
selling value. In the same year, landings from Chub Mackerel (Scomber
japonicus) and Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita) represented 58% and 28%
of the ‘lampara’ landings respectively.
All stocks targeted by the Maltese lampara fishery are stocks shared with
Sicily due to the population distribution over the Malta Bank, which connects
the Maltese Islands with Sicily.
Stock assessment information for the Central Mediterranean is at present not
available for Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and Round Sardinella
(Sardinella aurita).
Irrespective of their length overall, all lampara vessels are fitted with a
tracking system and are requested to complete a catch logbook in order to
better monitor their fishing activity. In addition the fishing capacity in terms of
GT and dimensions of the gear are not allowed to increase.
4.2
Bottom otter trawling fishery
The management plan applies to trawlers authorised to carry out demersal
fisheries within the 25 NM fishing management zone. The main target species
include Red Shrimps (Aristeomorpha foliacea), Red Mullet (Mullus spp.) and
Pink Shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris).
The trawler fleet authorised to fish within the 25 NM FMZ consists of 12
boats having an overall tonnage of 1,056 GT, a total main engine power of
3,700 kW and provides 59 jobs. This represents less than 2% of the number of
vessels registered in the Commercial fishing register. The vessels in this fleet
are on average 22 m long, have an average tonnage of 88 GT and average
engine power of 333kW.
In 2011, trawler production amounted to almost 171 metric tonnes (€1.6m in
value terms) which represents 8% of total landings but less than 14% of its
selling value. Landings from Red Shrimps (Aristeomorpha foliacea), Red
Mullet (Mullus spp.) and (Parapenaeus longirostris) represent 23%, 18% and
12 % of the trawler landings respectively.
4.3
Biological Review
For the lampara fishery, the Department of Fisheries and
Aquacultureexamined several options with regards to the biological review of
the stocks and possible extrapolation of data, to assess the possible impacts of
the scenarios on the stocks. However in the light that no stock assessment of
the target species is available at regional level and due to the fact that that the
main species exploited by the Maltese fleet are part of a shared stock, and due
to the fact that the Maltese catches are substantially low when compared to
catches by other countries, the only review which is viable and could be
considered to be reliable was the results of the trends of the CPUE.
For the bottom otter trawler fishery, the stock assessments conducted at
regional level were used to determine the status of the stocks.
4.4
Socio-economic review
For each of the identified scenarios mentioned in sections 5.2.1 and 6.2.1, the
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculturehave estimated the catches for each
of the main target species by reference to growth rates in the past as well as
production growth expectations for the future.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
expects world fisheries production in 2020 to grow by about 15% above the
average level for 2008-2010. It is anticipated that the major increases in the
quantity of fish produced will originate from aquaculture.
However, when considering the annual growth rate of aquaculture for the
same projected period it is estimated to be 2.8% which is lower than the rate of
5.6% observed during the previous decade. Capture fisheries are expected to
register small growth over the next ten years as shown in Figure 1: Declining
growth rate of fish production. below.
Figure 1: Declining growth rate of fish production.
On the other hand, the revised CFP estimates that a rise in average
consumption of between 0.5% to 1% average yearly growth rate is expected in
the majority of European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta and the
United Kingdom). 3
The effects that the planned management measures might have on the fishing
effort have been taken into consideration in this analysis.
4.4.1
Projected price trends
OECD/the Food and Aquaculture Organisation (FAO) expects world fish
prices to continue the growing trend experienced in 2010 and early 2011. They
will be affected by income and human population growth, stagnant capture
fisheries production, increasing feed cost and higher crude oil prices. All these
factors will contribute to the rise in fish prices over the medium term.
However, OECD/FAO opines that there will be different scenarios for capture
fisheries production and for aquaculture. With the growing price of fishmeal
and the higher price of other feeds, the spread between the average price of
output from aquaculture and capture will grow over the medium term. In
addition, the average price for wild fish should increase less than farmed
species due to expected changes in the catch composition, with more catches
of lower value fish.
OECD/FAO expects the average world price for captured species to increase
by 23% and for aquaculture species by a 50% by 2020 compared to the
average 2008-10. In addition to the need to compensate for the higher cost of
fish meal, prices of aquaculture will also grow due to strong domestic demand.
The price-quantity relationship has been specified by various formulae in the
literature (Huang, 2005). The price elasticity co-efficient from Nielsen (2000)
were derived and are summarised below
Table 1: Price elasticity co-efficient for some of the target species of the trawl
Species
production
Hake
-0.37
Mullet
-0.22
Shrimp
-0.20
Choice of ordinary or inverse demand model may be based on the realism of
causality. In the case of food, the causality from demand changes to price is
found more realistic than vice versa, as demand for food seems more
determined by human needs, regardless of the price, than the demand for other
goods. In the case of seafood in particular, the causality from demand changes
to price is found more realistic than vice versa. This is because seafood is food
and that demand is given by a marked exogenous supply, which is determined
by circumstances such as bio-economy, weather, fishery management etc.
In the literature ordinary demand models are used to forecast demand and
inverse demand models are used to forecast price. In a part of this literature
both models are used on the same data set and thereby forecast properties are
tested. Burton (1992) finds that the inverse demand model forecasts price of
wet fish in UK significantly better than the ordinary model forecasts demand
for wet fish in UK. Eales et. al. (1997) reach the same conclusion regarding
Japanese fish markets.
4.4.2
Projected income streams
Revenues by species are obtained as a product of the projected price and the
estimated landings of a particular species. The costs of each fleet segment are
broken down in categories that include salaries and wages, energy costs,
repairs and maintenance costs, variable costs and non-variable costs. The cost
projections are based on cost relationships that are derived from actual results
registered in the period 2008 to 2011.
4.4.3
Supporting workings with respect to loss of profits estimates
The following table includes the workings that were used in estimating the
loss of profits that could be incurred in the different scenarios envisaged in the
management plans.
Table 2: Profitability estimate per vessel
Lampara
Trawlers
Five year revenues
895,304
7,187,896
Number of vessels
60
12.00
Average five year revenue per vessel
48,135
598,991
Average profit conversion
46%
15%
Average five year contribution per vessel
22,030
89,849
The information is based on the economic data collected annually for the
purpose of the EU Data Collection Programme by means of a sample survey.
This data provides indications of the revenues generated by each type of fleet,
nature and split of operational costs between fixed and variable costs and
resultant profit contributions. The number of vessels is based on the fishing
vessel register information.
5. Maltese management plan for the lampara fishery
5.1
Objectives
Based on the biological, social and economic aspects of the fisheries the
following objectives have been defined
1. Ensuring the sustainability of the stock
2. Ensuring financial stability for fishers
3. Safeguarding artisanal fishing activity
For each objective specific indicators and benchmarks were established so as
to reach the objectives of the plan.
As explained in section 4, stock assessments for the related stocks were not
available and thus the biological indicators and targets reference points were
calculated based on CPUE data. The data used in the calculations were
collected through logbooks for vessels over 10 m and Market Sales Vouchers
for vessels smaller than 10 m. As from 2012, all of the landings of the fleet
were recorded by officials at landing. However, the data collected at landing
for 2012 was not included in this analysis, so as to avoid variances arising due
to sampling methodologies. Thus 2012 data was extracted using the same
methodology as for previous years; through logbooks for vessels over 10 m
and Market Sales Vouchers for vessels smaller than 10 m. CPUE trends were
established to indicate the status of the stocks.
The socio-economic indicators and targets were calculated based on a set of
variables and indicators based on the economic data collected annually.
With this data the several scenarios were presented and assed in order to select
the best management measures for the Maltese lampara fishery within the 25
NM FMZ.
The objectives, indicators and targets are presented below in Table 3
Objectives, indicators and targets for the lampara fishery management plan.
Table 3: Objectives, indicators and targets for the lampara fishery
management plan
Objectives
Indicator
Targets
Biological
1. Ensuring
1. Catch Per Unit Effort 1. CPUE trend does not
sustainability
decrease below the
annual 25 % threshold
for Chub Mackerel
(Scomber japonicus)
and Round Sardinella
(Sardinella
aurita)
which lie at CPUE of
3.09 and 2.15 kg/
kW*fishing
days
respectively
Socio-economic-
1. Ensuring
financial 1. Stability or increase 1. Gross profit per vessel
stability of fishers
of profit per vessel
2. Number of vessels,
2. Safeguarding
2. Ensuring that fishing
GT, kW and gear
artisanal
fishing
capacity in terms of
dimensions at that of
activity
number of vessels,
2012 or less
GT
and
gear
dimensions does not
increase
5.2
Review of the status of the stocks based on Catch per Unit Effort
(CPUE)
This section will give a summary of the in depth review conducted on the
stocks concerned and attached as annex 1.
5.2.1.
Status of the stocks
All stocks targeted by the Maltese lampara fishery are stocks shared with
Sicily due to the population distribution over the Malta Bank, which connects
the Maltese Islands with Sicily.
Stock assessment information for the Central Mediterranean is at present not
available for Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and Round Sardinella
(Sardinella aurita). Stock assessments of the relevant species will thus have to
be carried out in collaboration with Italy.
Malta’s relative contributions to the landings of the main species caught with
the lampara in the Central Mediterranean are presented in Table 4 below.
Malta’s contributions towards catches of these species are below 10 % for the
majority of the species except for Sardinella aurita which is slightly higher
(24.9%). This slightly higher percentage can be attributed to the grouping of
clupeoids under one name in Maltese landings data. Table 4 indicates that
Maltese contribution to the fishing pressure on the stocks is very minimal and
any effort to reduce fishing effort cannot be taken by Malta unilaterally.
Table 4: Central Mediterranean landings (t) of species targeted by the lampara
fishery. Malta’s values include landings from all of the Maltese fleet and not
only from the lampara fishery. Source: GFCM Production Statistics; reference
year 2010.
English Name
Scientific Name
Italy
Malta
% Contribution
Chub Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
9.3
Round Sardinella
Sardinella aurita
9
Jack Mackerel
Trachurus spp
0.8
Anchovy
Engraulis encrasicolus
13898
0.0
Total annual landings of the lampara fishery were plotted and the trend
analysed by a regression analysis. Linear regression shows that although there
was an overall increasing trend, the trend was not linear due to important
inter-annual fluctuations in the data (R 2 = 0.67).
Total Landings (t)
y = 64.21x - 129
R = 0.67
Year
Figure 2: Regression analysis of total annual landings of the lampara fleet
recorded in 2006-2012.
5.2.2
Species Composition of Landings
Available landings data for the Maltese lampara fishery contains records of at
least 42 different taxa. The rise in total annual landings observed in 2012 is
due to two species: Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and Round Sardinella
(Sardinella aurita).
Landings of Chub Mackerel were low in 2006-2008 (mean 12 tonnes),
increased dramatically to 223 tonnes in 2009 before dropping to lower values
in 2010 and 2011 (mean 81 tonnes) and rising to the highest levels recorded in
the entire time series in 2012 (248 tonnes). Round Sardinella landings were
low in 2006-2009 (mean 4 tonnes) before increasing significantly in 2010-
2011 (mean 47 tonnes) and again in 2012 (193 tonnes). Landings of all other
species combined on average only contributed 25% to total catches.
Scomber japonicus
Sardinella aurita
Total Landings (t)
Other Species
Year
Figure 3: Total annual landings of the lampara fleet for the key target species
Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita)
compared to the combined annual landings of all other species recorded for
the period 2006-2012.
An assessment was made to quantify the relative monthly landing
contributions of Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus), Round Sardinella
(Sardinella aurita) and total landings of other species. Results show that non
target species in 2006-2012 dominated catches during the months of October,
November, December and January. Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) on
average was the most important species caught in February-September. The
relative contribution of Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita) catches increased
during the second and third quarters, but the species was never the dominant
species in recorded catches.
Whilst these patterns give an indication of the species composition of monthly
landing patterns, the recorded high standard deviation values show that there
was considerable variation over the analysed time period.
Scomber japonicus
Sardinella aurita
Average % Contribution
Other Species
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Figure 4: Relative contribution of Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus),
Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and other species as mean percentage
contribution to total monthly landings (±1SD) recorded for the period 2006-
2012.
5.2.3
Trends from Catch per Unit Effort data
A CPUE analysis was carried out for the two key target species Scomber
japonicus and Sardinella aurita based on kW*fishing days and GT*fishing
days. Results showed increasing trends in CPUE for both species during 2006-
2012; GT*fishing days and KW*fishing days give virtually identical patterns.
Overall, the data suggests that neither chub mackerel nor round sardinella are
currently overfished.
Scomber japonicus
CPUE (kg/kW*Fishing Days)
y = 0.6555x - 1314.1
R = 0.4174
Year
Figure 5: Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for Chub Mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for the period
2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Sardinella aurita
3.0
CPUE (kg/kW*Fishing Days)
2.5
2.0
y = 0.4986x - 1000.6
1.5
R = 0.791
1.0
0.5
0.0
Year
Figure 6: Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for Round Sardinella
(Sardinella aurita) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for the
period 2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
5.2.4
Trends of biomass from the MEDIAS survey
In addition to the trends observed through the CPUE data presented above, it
was possible to calculate the biomass indices for the two main target species
caught by the lampara; Sardina pilchardus and Engraulis encrasicolus,
obtained from the MEDIAS survey. The graphs are presented in Annex 1.1.6.
Interannual fluctuations were observed for both species but over the last 4
years the biomass of E. encrasicolus showed an overall increase whilst that of
S. pilchardus showed an overall decrease.
5.2.5
CPUE Thresholds
In the absence of biomass target reference points such as ‘maximum
sustainable yield’ from stock assessments, CPUE effort thresholds were used
as an alternative until sufficient biological data has been collected to carry out
a full stock assessment. Since the lampara fishery is targeting small pelagic
species, the limitations of the CPUE as a relative index of stock size need to be
kept in mind, and lower threshold levels need to be set than would be required
for demersal species.
CPUE thresholds were calculated for the two main target species, chub
mackerel and round sardinella. The thresholds were only calculated for CPUE
trends in kW*fishing days since effort data based on engine strength and gross
vessel tonnage seem to be closely correlated for vessels in the Maltese
lampara fishery.
Annual CPUE thresholds as well as monthly CPUE were calculated; the latter
was deemed necessary due to the observed seasonal fluctuations in catch
volumes. The CPUEs corresponding to the 25% percentile of the datasets are
indicated in Tables 4-10 below. These were then used as minimum reference
points for CPUE trends recorded for the lampara fleet.
The annual 25% threshold for chub mackerel and round sardinella catches lie
at a CPUE of 3.09 and 2.15 kg/kW*fishing days, respectively.
The months during which over 80% of landings of the two key target species
chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and round sardinella (Sardinella aurita)
were recorded during 2006-2012 were identified in order to determine the
respective species’ main fishing seasons. Monthly CPUE thresholds were
calculated for the relevant months; for Scomber japonicus, on average 87% of
landings were made in April – August, whilst for Sardinella aurita on average
95% of landings were made in May – August.
A summary of the monthly 25% threshold CPUE thresholds for chub mackerel
and round sardinella catches which could be used as the basis of monthly
safety thresholds to maintain the long term sustainability of catches are shown
in Table 5: Monthly CPUE threshold limits for the Maltese lampara fleet
based on 25th percentile of monthly CPUE recorded during 2006-2012.
Table 5: Monthly CPUE threshold limits for the Maltese lampara fleet based
on 25th percentile of monthly CPUE recorded during 2006-2012.
Species
Month
CPUE Threshold
April
2.88
May
4.2
Mackerel
June
3.31
Chub
July
3.46
August
3.76
May
0.57
Sardinella
June
1.66
Round
July
2.62
August
4.37
5.3
Potential management tools
As explained in section 3, in line with Council Regulation 1967/2006 several
management tools are already in force in the Maltese Fisheries. In addition to
these management tools, other tools are also being considered. In this section a
list of possible management tools will be established and a brief description of
each tool will be given.
5.3.1
List of possible management tools
Freezing capacity - In order to ensure that the capacity of the current fleet does
not increase, the capacity of the fleet may be frozen at current levels. The
capacity freezing may be done by limiting the number of vessels and/or gross
tonnage (GT) and/or gear dimensions and/or length of vessels.
Reducing capacity - A reduction of current capacity may be introduced by
temporarily or permanently reducing the number of vessels from the specific
fishery or from the whole commercial fishing fleet.
Gear size restrictions - Such restrictions are already set in Council Regulation
1967/2006. Article 9 establishes a minimum mesh size of 14 mm for
surrounding nets. While Annex II of Council Regulation 1967/2006
establishes the length of netting which must not exceed 800 m and the drop to
120 m. Further national gear restrictions may be considered for this fishery to
reduce the impacts on the environment so as to reduce discards.
Minimum landing sizes - Minimum landing sizes for certain species have been
established at EU level in Annex III of Council Regulation 1967/2006.
Fishing prohibited areas - Article 13 of Council Regulation 1967/2006
restricts fishing activity within 300 meters of the coast or within the 50 metres
isobath where that depth is reached at a shorter distance from the coast.
Catch Logbook - Article 14 of the Control Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 obliges
vessels over 10m to record catches in a fishing logbook. This requirement has
been extended to all vessels to better monitor the catches and landings.
Vessel Monitoring System- Article 9 of the Control Regulation (EC) 1224/
2009 obliges vessels over 12m to have a satellite based monitoring system to
better monitor fishing activities. This requirement has been extended to all
vessels in the fishery.
Fishing authorisations: Article 19 of Council Regulation 1967/2006 obliges
MS to have fishing authorisation for vessels included in the management plan.
Fishing seasons: National fishing seasons may be considered to protect
juveniles during spawning seasons of the targeted species.
Total Allowable Catch and Quotas: A total allowable catch may be established
for the targeted species so as to limit the fishing morality of the said stocks.
Based on the above possible management tools the following scenarios were
developed and assessed.
Scenario 1: Freezing all fishing effort. This would be achieved by stabilising
both the number of licences as well as the number of fishing trips and gear
dimensions allowed to the current level. This should lead to a stabilisation of
the fishing effort which in turn should minimise the risk of stock exploitation.
Increase in fisher’s earnings would therefore depend on increases in catches
per unit effort (CPUE) and increases in prices. These increases are, however,
not expected to be significant.
Scenario 2: Freezing fishing capacity but allowing the number of fishing trips
to fluctuate. The allowed increase in fishing trips could have an adverse effect
on the stock levels of certain species. Fishers’ income may benefit from
reduced competition as a result of stabilisation of vessel capacity as long as
fishing activities are conducted in a manner which ensures the long term
sustainability of stock exploitation.
Scenario 3: Reducing fishing capacity by 20% in line with the precautionary
approach in the short-term and re-visiting the situation once better and more
reliable biological data is obtained. This scenario will minimise the risk of
stock exploitation, whilst still providing the majority of fishers with the
opportunity of maintaining their livelihoods. R
Scenario 4: Reducing fishing capacity by 20% in line with the precautionary
approach and freezing of fishing effort in the short-term and re-visiting the
situation once better and more reliable biological data is obtained. This
scenario will minimise the risk of stock exploitation, whilst still providing the
majority of fishers with the opportunity of maintaining their livelihoods.
5.4
Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential
management measures
The management plan indicates that the current level of pelagic fishing is not
threatening the conservation of the target fish stock. The fact that catch per
unit effort is still on the increase indicates that the catch is still below the
maximum sustainable yield and any increases in landings would not lead to
negative economic rents.
However, until further research is carried out this conservation status cannot
be demonstrated beyond doubt. The management plan is in essence geared to
freeze the fishing capacity / effort until the necessary research is carried out to
enable future plans to provide a more reliable foundation for future initiatives.
The four scenarios mentioned in section 4.1 have been simulated to estimate
the effects of the different management initiatives included in the plan. For
each scenario, based on the results on total landings, the model was used to
estimate the changes in economic variables over time. The main assumptions
behind the different scenarios are included in Table 6
Table 6: Assumptions made in the scenario analysis
Landings growth
Scenario 1
0.90%
0.80%
0.70%
0.60%
0.50%
0.50%
Scenario 2
0.90%
8.00%
9.00%
10.00%
10.00%
10.00%
Scenario 3
0.90%
2.44%
3.44%
4.44%
4.44%
4.44%
Scenario 4
0.90%
(5.56% )
(5.56% )
(5.56% )
(5.56% )
(5.56% )
Growth in prices
Scenario 1
(0.18% )
(0.16% )
(0.14% )
(0.12% )
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
Scenario 2
(0.18% )
(1.60% )
(1.80% )
(2.00% )
(2.00% )
(2.00% )
Scenario 3
(0.18% )
(0.49% )
(0.69% )
(0.89% )
(0.89% )
(0.89% )
Scenario 4
(0.18% )
1.11%
1.11%
1.11%
1.11%
1.11%
Licence revocation
Cost
% of capacity
Scenario 1
-
-
Scenario 2
-
-
Scenario 3
(42,000)
(5.56% )
Scenario 4
(42,000)
(5.56% )
Lampara landings are projected to increase in line with the projected national
average increase in landings when fishing effort is frozen i.e. growth per
annum in landings drops from 0.9% to 0.5% at which level it stabilises from
2016 onwards. These landings growth projections are based on OECD and
CFP studies that are referred to earlier.
When fishing effort is not regulated it is assumed that landings growth
stabilises at 10% per annum from 2015 onwards.
The price-quantity relationship has been specified by various formulae in the
literature [1]. The price elasticity co-efficient was derived from [2] and
assume that for every 1 kg increase in landings, the price drops by 0.2%.
Every licence revocation leads to a 5.56% reduction in landings. The cost of
licence revocation is set at €42,000 and is based on the estimated earnings per
vessel from the lampara activity over a ten-year period.
The figures below show the outcome of the scenario analysis compared with
the 2011 baseline data.
Figure 7: Landings in Metric Tonnes under each scenario
Landings are expected to stabilise under Scenario 1 wherein fishing effort is
frozen at current levels, drop significantly under scenario 4 where fleet
capacity is reduced by at least one vessel and fishing effort is frozen at current
levels. Landings are expected to increase mostly under scenario 2 where
fishing capacity is frozen but fishing effort is not regulated. However, in
scenario 3 landings are still expected to increase even though to a lesser
degree than in Scenario 2 since fishing effort is still allowed to fluctuate only
after the fishing capacity is reduced by at least one vessel.
Figure 8: Income and Operating cash flow in 2017 under each scenario
Fluctuations in income are mainly determined by the dynamics of landings
since price elasticity is generally low on fish products shows that income is
highest under scenario 2 and lowest under Scenario 4, as indeed is operating
cash flow.
Table 7: Economic net present value compared of all scenarios to scenario 1
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
% variations with Baseline
Baseline
31%
5%
(32% )
Licence revocation under scenarios 3 and 4 are assumed to be achieved at the
rate of €42,000 per vessel representing lost earnings form ten years of lampara
activity. While the economic net present value (ENPV, discounted at 5.5%) is
positive in each of scenarios 2 and 3, scenario 4 represents the lowest return
whilst scenario 2 generates the highest economic return.
5.5
Management measures to be adopted
The increasing trend in CPUE estimates measured over time for the lampara
fleet seems to indicate the key target species of the lampara fishery are
currently exploited at sustainable levels none-the-less; since stock assessments
are not available the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will be
implementing a reduction in capacity by 20%. With regards to results obtained
through the socio-economic review the DFA believes that Scenario 3 is the
plan which provides results that are closest to its objectives since increase in
landings is subdued when compared to increases under Scenario 2 whilst still
retaining positive net economic benefits.
As a result Malta will be reducing the fishing capacity in the short-term and
re-visiting the situation once better and more reliable biological data is
obtained. This scenario will minimise the risk of stock exploitation, whilst still
providing fishers with the opportunity of increasing their earnings.
The definition of harvest control rules, due to very low contribution of the
Maltese Lampara in terms of total landings, and the shared nature of the stock,
can only be done jointly for all fleets exploiting the same stocks. This opinion
is also found in the analysis put forward by STECF which, for the same
reasons, also establishes that Malta’s proposed reduction in effort is excessive
but that would still have little impact on the overall mortality on these shared
stocks. Therefore if harvest control rules were to be deemed to be required, it
is necessary to establish these through regional mechanisms and not though
national and unilateral management plans.
5.6
Implementation of management measures
A 20 % reduction (3 vessels) in line with the precautionary approach on the
current lampara capacity in terms of number of vessels will be implemented
by the end of 2015.
5.7
Review of management measures
The review of the management measures will be conducted in 2016, by when
better data on landings would have been collected. Based on the results of the
review new management measures may be adopted. The data collected will
also include data on discards in order to develop management measures to
reduce the impacts of the fishery on the environment if necessary.
Maltese Management Plan for the bottom otter trawler fishery
6.1
Objectives
Based on the biological, social and economic aspects of the fisheries the
following objectives have been defined
1. Aiding in the recovery of the stocks
2. Ensuring financial stability of fishers
For each objective specific indicators and benchmarks were established so as
to reach the objectives of the plan.
Stock assessments are available for the following species exploited by bottom
otter trawlers in the Strait of Sicily: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha
foliacea), thornback skate (Raja clavata), red mullet (Mullus barbatus),
common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus), black bellied anglerfish (Lophius
budegassa), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) and hake (Merluccius
merluccius). The assessment of thornback skate was classed as preliminary
due to the limited time series of data available.
The socio-economic indicators and targets were calculated based on a set of
variables and indicators which were based on the economic data collected
annually.
With this data the several scenarios were presented and assed in order to select
the best management measures for the Maltese bottom otter trawler fishery
within the 25 NM FMZ.
The objectives, indicators and targets are presented in Table 8: Objectives,
indictors and targets for the bottom otter trawler fishery management plan
below.
Table 8: Objectives, indictors and targets for the bottom otter trawler fishery
management plan
Objectives
Indicator
Targets
Biological
Reducing
Reduced number
Reduction
of
fishing mortality
of fishing days
fishing
effort
Reduction
in
and reduction of
total
kW
capacity by at
allowed within
least 30%.
the 25 NM FMZ
Socio-
economic-
Gross profit per
Stability
or
Ensuring
sector
increase
of
financial
income
per
stability
of
vessel
fishers
6.2
Review of the status of the stocks
This section will give a summary of the in depth review conducted on the
stocks concerned and attached as annex 2.
6.2.1
Trends from landings data
Between the period 2006 and 2011, landings showed an overall increasing
trend, with inter-annual fluctuations (regression analysis, R 2 = 0.63).
Landings (t)
y = 17.85x - 35714
R 2 = 0.6216
Year
Figure 9: Regression analysis of total annual landings of the trawl fleet
recorded in 2006-2011.
An analysis of monthly variations in mean landings during the period 2006-
2011 showed lower levels of landings in the months of October – March,
followed by a period with higher landings in April – September. This pattern
mirrors the pattern of mean monthly fishing effort exerted during the same
period, indicating that monthly fluctuations in landings are almost certainly
due to variations in fishing effort, rather than being caused by seasonal
fluctuations in the target populations. Since many of the species targeted by
Maltese bottom otter trawlers are deep water species found on the continental
shelf / slope, and which occur in habitats where there are much more subdued
seasonal variations than in shallow waters, such a pattern can be expected.
Mean Total Landings (t)
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Year
Figure 10: Mean monthly total landings (±1 SD) for the trawl fishing fleet in
2006-2011.
6.2.1.1 Species Composition of Landings
Available landings data for the Maltese trawl fishery contains records of at
least 128 different taxa. An overview of key taxa fished by trawlers in 2006-
2011 is presented in Table 9 below.
Table 9: Landings of key taxa fished by Maltese bottom otter trawlers in the
Maltese FMZ during 2006-2011.
Landings (t)
Scientific name
Aristaeomorpha foliacea
27. 40
31. 65 26.30 29.21 25.73
22
Boops boops
1.01
5.60
4.40
4.56
3.50
2.76
Lophius spp.
0.27
0.85
1.54
1.26
0.00
0.00
Merluccius merluccius
4.75
5.61
0.65
7.46
1.68
4.79
Mullus spp.
9.35
23.17
55
35.71
29.46
30.11
Nephrops norvegicus
0.01
0.63
1.21
1.49
2.57
1.74
Octopus spp.
1.22
1.57
3.09
1.05
1.02
0.84
Pagellus spp.
0.91
2.23
3.33
5.76
4.01
3.05
Pagrus pagrus
0.04
0.19
0.09
1.26
0.05
0.07
Parapenaeus longirostris
11.08
7.04
21.65
14.09
6.67
19.92
Raja spp.
1.32
3.24
4.64
5.87
4.70
6.07
Sepia spp.
1.18
2.54
6.18
12.36
8.37
9.83
Spicara spp.
0.12
4.60
4.17
5.54
8.73
8.66
Zeus faber
0.20
0.74
2.42
3.04
2.03
2.38
Other Species
10.55
16.38
40.53
47. 16 40.98 42.42
40
106.05
163.76
175.83
139.50
171.87
An analysis of trends in total landings of important target species (giant red
shrimp, pink shrimp, hake, red mullet and striped red mullet) compared to
landings of all other species combined during 2006-2011, revealed that (1)
landings of giant red shrimp remained relatively stable during 2006-2010 but
increased in 2011, (2) pink shrimp and hake landings underwent several
fluctuations during the six year period analysed, (3) landings of red mullet and
striped red mullet combined increased considerably during 2006-2008, and
have been steadily decreasing since, and (4) there has been an important
increase in the relative contribution to total landings by other species. The
latter effect is due to an increase in landings of a variety of species, of which
six were of particular importance during 2006-2011 (Table 10): common
cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), blue whiting (Micromesistius pouassou), Norway
lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), common pandora (Pagellus erythriunus),
golden shrimp (Plesionika martia) and unicorn octopus (Scaergus unicirrhus).
A. foliacea
P. longirostris
Landings (t)
M. merluccius
Mullus spp.
Other species
Year
Figure 11: Total annual landings of the trawl fleet for the key target species
giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus
longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and striped red mullet
(Mullus spp.), compared to the comb
Table 10: Species characterised by an important increase in landings recorded
from Maltese bottom otter trawlers in the Maltese FMZ during 2006-2011.
Landings (t)
Scientific Name
Sepia officinalis
1.18
2.54
6.18
12.28
8.29
9.77
Micromesistius poutassou
0.01
0.00
0.09
6.04
8.11
4.51
Nephrops norvegicus
0.01
0.63
1.21
1.49
2.57
1.74
Pagellus erythrinus
0.90
1.81
3.32
5.50
3.98
2.99
Plesionika martia
0.00
0.00
3.49
3.07
4.24
6.73
Scaergus unicirrhus
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.14
4.98
4.12
2.10
4.98
14.29
33.51
32.17
29.84
When mean monthly landings information was analysed, no major
fluctuations in the relative monthly contributions of the main target species to
mean landings recorded in 2006-2011 were observed.
Landings (t)
M. merluccius
P. longirostris
Mullus spp.
A. foliacea
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Month
Figure 12: Relative contribution of the key target species: giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), hake
(Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), to
total mean monthly landings (±1SD) recorded for the period 2006-2012
6.2.2
Trends from Catch per Unit Effort data
Overall, CPUE for giant red shrimp, hake and pink shrimp decreased during
2006-2011, whilst CPUE for red mullet and striped red mullet combined
increased in 2006-2008, before decreasing gradually back to 2006 levels
during 2008-2011. The latter could be the result of an artefact since data is
only available for the two species in an aggregated form; it is generally not
advisable to combine CPUE indicators for several species. CPUE for all
species during 2006-2011 expressed in terms of GT*fishing days and
KW*fishing days give virtually identical patterns.
A. foliacea
M. merluccius
CPUE (kg/kW*Fishing Days)
Mullus spp.
P. longirostris
0.24
0.20
0.16
0.12
0.08
0.04
0.00
Year
Figure 13: Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for the key target
species: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and
striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for the
period 2006-2011.
6.2.3
Trends of biomass from the MEDITS survey
Figure 14: Biomass indices for the main target species caught during the
MEDITS survey for the years 2007-2011
Apart from CPUE data, fisheries-independent data obtained from the annual
spring-summer MEDITS survey, is used and presented below in order to show
the trend of the main target species in the bottom otter trawl fishery.
MEDITS data shows that over a 5 year period (2007 – 2011) the biomass
index (BI) of Merluccius merluccius showed a considerable decline, while
that of Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus and Parapenaeus longirostris
remained relatively stable, while that of Aristaeomorpha foliacea increased.
6.2.4
Stock assessments
Table 11: Results of stock assessments conducted in 2011 and 2012; Fcur =
current fishing mortality (F). shows the results of available stock assessments
carried out at a regional level. The biological reference points used for the
assessments were F cur and F 0.1 . F cur refers to the present fishing mortality, and
F 0.1 refers to the target fishing mortality taking into account the precautionary
principle. Using F 0.1 as a target reference point, all of the assessed stocks were
overexploited.
Table 11: Results of stock assessments conducted in 2011 and 2012; F cur =
current fishing mortality (F).
Maltese Share
Scientific
F cur
F 0.1
English Name
Stock Status
of 2010
Name
Landings (%)
Pink shrimp
P. longirostris
1.20
0.92
Overexploited
0.07
M. merluccius
0.60
0.1
Overexploited
0.23
2.04 **
Giant red shrimp
A. foliacea
1.09
0.42
Overexploited
3.6 **
Red mullet
M. barbatus
1.3
0.45
Overexploited
4.8 **
Common Pandora
P. erythrinus
0.72
0.30
Overexploited
bellied
1.6 **
L. budegassa
0.3
0.16
Overexploited
* Preliminary assessment; ** Excluding Tunisian landings.
The ratio between F estimated and F target for the demersal species which were
subject to a stock assessment at GFCM / SGMED in 2011 (Table 11) shows
that the Maltese trawling fleet is overall catching the amount of fish expected
under desirable fishing mortality rates from the entire national fleet.
Nevertheless, the same results also indicate that while Malta is fishing the
pink shrimp at F 0.1 , below F 0.1 for the common pandora, the fleet is
overexploiting stocks above F 0.1 levels both for the giant red shrimp and hake.
Table 12: Ratio between F estimated and F target (F/Ft) for the Maltese bottom
otter trawl (OTB) fleet in 2011. The target F used in the calculations was
F0.1, which was the target F calculated in the stock assessments and which is
considered to be a proxy for F MSY .
Giant
All other
Pink
Common
Red
Hake
species
Shrimp
Pandora
Shrimp
and total
Catch in Fleet segment
7.3
27.4
7.11
Unknown
Total catch of the stock for
1341.3
319.08
Unknown
all the countries
Current
F
(Stock
1.2
1.09
0.6
0.72
Unknown
assessment)
Current F applied to fleet
0.001
0.022
0.002
0.016
Unknown
segment
Target F (stock assessment)
0.92
0.42
0.1
0.36
Unknown
Quota of the Member State
0.1%
2%
0.3%
6.3%
Unknown
Target F split according to
0.0002
0.001
0.009
0.02268
Unknown
Member State quota
F/Ft for species in the fleet
1.41
2.60
5.92
0.71
Unknown
segment
Catch composition of fleet
75%(of
3.80%
14.70%
3.20%
3.80%
segment
100%)
F/Ft weigthed by catch
composition of assessed
0.21
1.53
0.76
0.11
Unknown
Sum of all weighted F/Ft
2.61
2.61
2.61
2.61
Unknown
for the fleet segment
Weight for each stock
0.15
0.57
0.13
0.15
Unknown
F/Ftarget multiplied
by
0.03
0.88
0.10
0.02
Unknown
Weight for each stock
Biological indicator
1.02
(sum of all weighted F/Ft)
Percentage of fleet segment
catch used for F/Ft
25%
calculation
However, when taking into account the Maltese share of total landings
(composed of vessels fishing both within and outside the Malta FMZ) made in
the Central Mediterranean (Table 11) and the F estimated and F target for the
demersal species (Table 12) it is clear that any action taken by the Maltese
authorities to address the overexploitation will not have an effect on the status
of the stock.
6.3
Potential management tools
In line with Council Regulation 1967/2006 several management tools are
already in force in the Maltese Fisheries, with specific reference to Article 26
of the said regulation which makes reference to the 25NM FMZ. In addition to
these management tools several other tools are also being considered. In this
section a list of possible management tools will be established and a brief
description of each tool will be given.
6.3.1
List of possible management tools
Freezing capacity- Capacity within the zone is limited by Article 16 of
Council Regulation 1967/2006. For the whole FMZ maximum capacity is
4800 kW, for Maltese vessels 3600 kW
Reducing capacity- A reduction of the current capacity may be introduced by
temporarily or permanently reducing the number of vessels from the entire
commercial fishing fleet. If such reductions are applied on a permanent basis
the total threshold of 4800 kW established in Council Regulation 1967/2006
the threshold of 3,600 kW for Maltese towed vessels will need to be revised. It
should be noted that once such reductions take place, the capacity cannot be
replaced.
Gear size restrictions- Such restrictions are already set in Council Regulation
1967/2006. Article 9 establishes a minimum mesh size of 40 mm square or 50
mm diamond for towed nets. Further national gear restrictions may be
considered for this fishery to reduce the impacts on the environment so as to
reduce discards.
Minimum landing sizes- Minimum landing sizes for certain species have
been established at EU level in Annex III of Council Regulation (EC) 1967/
2006. Fishing prohibited areas- Annex V of Council Regulation 1967/2006
established the authorised fishing zones within the FMZ. Further restrictions
at a national level have also been applied in order to comply with Article 4 of
the same regulation. Further studies are also currently underway under a
different cover to relocate the authorised fishing zones found within the 3 NM
zone to further reduce the impacts on the environment.
Catch Logbook- Article 14 of the Control Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 obliges
vessels over 10 m to record catches in a fishing logbook.
Vessel Monitoring System- Article 9 of the Control Regulation (EC) 1224/
2009 obliges vessels over 12 m to have a satellite based monitoring system to
better monitor fishing activities.
Fishing authorisations: Article 19 of Council Regulation obliges MS to have
fishing authorisation for vessels included in the management plan.
Fishing seasons: National fishing seasons may be considered to protect
juveniles during spawning seasons of the targeted species.
Total Allowable Catch and Quotas: A total allowable catch may be
established for the targeted species so as to limit the fishing morality of the
said stocks.
In view of the results obtained from stock assessments, the Maltese authorities
have decided to opt for a 30% reduction in fishing effort; which reduction is
slightly bigger than reduction usually suggested as a precautionary approach
in order to take into account the species which are overexploited by the
Maltese fleet; A. foliacea and M. merluccius. Based on the possible
management tools presented above the following scenarios were developed
and assed
Scenario 1: Reduce over-capacity through the reduction of capacity by 30%.
This option would reduce the fishing capacity within the FMZ but not
necessarily reduce the fishing effort.
Scenario 2: Reduce fishing capacity through 20% reduction in capacity and
the reduction in effort by a further 10% through the introduction of a
temporary cessation for the period spanning from 15 August to 15 September.
This option will ensure that if the capacity reduction initiative is not
successful in reducing the fishing effort, the temporary cessation will at least
reduce the effort by 10% which is equivalent to the fishing effort that is
normally dedicated in the 15 August to 15 September period which coincides
with the reproductive season of some of the targeted species.
Scenario 3: Reduce fishing capacity through 10% reduction in capacity and
the reduction in effort by a further 20% through the introduction of a
temporary cessation for the period spanning from 15 August to 15 October.
This option will ensure that if the capacity reduction initiative is not
successful in reducing the fishing effort, the temporary cessation will at least
reduce the effort by 20% which is equivalent to the fishing effort that is
normally dedicated in the 15 August to 15 October period which coincides
with the reproductive season of some of the targeted species.
Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the potential management
measures
The statistical data indicates that the current level of bottom otter trawling
carried out by Maltese fishers is not significant in the Central Mediterranean
context. However, biological studies prove that the target fish stock is
overexploited. Level of fishing is therefore beyond the maximum sustainable
yield and yielding negative economic returns.
The management plan should therefore be designed to reduce the fishing
capacity / effort through different initiatives that include permanent and
temporary cessation actions in order to reduce the fishing effort below the
maximum sustainable yield, thus turning the current situation of negative
economic rents into one that generates positive economic rents. The three
scenarios mentioned in section 6.3.1 have been simulated to estimate the
effects of the different management initiatives included in the plan. For each
scenario, given the results on total landings, the model was used to estimate
the changes in economic variables over time. The main assumptions behind
the different scenarios are included in Table 13.
Table 13: Assumptions made in the scenario analysis
Landings growth
Scenario 1
0.00%
(30.00% )
1.00%
2.00%
3.00%
4.00%
Scenario 2
0.00%
(30.00% )
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
Scenario 3
0.00%
(30.00% )
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
Growth in prices
Scenario 1
0.00%
0.00%
(0.20% )
(0.40% )
(0.60% )
(0.80% )
Scenario 2
0.00%
0.00%
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
Scenario 3
0.00%
0.00%
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
(0.10% )
Permanent cessation
Cost
% of current capacity
Scenario 1
(640,000)
67%
Scenario 2
(370,000)
83%
Scenario 3
(260,000)
92%
Growth in landings beyond 2013 is assumed to be in line with the projected
national average increase in landings i.e. growth per annum of 0.5% at which
level it stabilises from 2014 onwards. The only exception is scenario 1 where
fishing effort might still increase due to lack of actions earmarked at freezing
fishing effort under this scenario. These landings growth projections are based
on OECD and CFP studies that are referred to earlier.
The price-quantity relationship has been specified by various formulae in the
literature[1]. The price elasticity co-efficient was derived from [2]and assume
that for every 1kg increase in landings, the price drops by 0.2%.
The figures below show the outcome of the scenario analysis compared with
the 2011 baseline data.
Figure 15: Landings in Metric Tonnes under each scenario
Landings are expected to grow under Scenario 1 wherein fishing capacity is
reduced by 30% but no measures with respect to fishing effort are introduced.
In scenarios 2 and 3 landings are expected to drop substantially where
measures at controlling fishing effort are introduced in conjunction with
capacity reduction cessation initiatives.
Figure 16: Income in 2017 under each scenario
Fluctuations in income are mainly determined by the dynamics of landings
since price elasticity is generally low on fish products. Figure 16 shows that
the income is highest under scenario 1 and lowest under Scenarios 2 and 3.
Table 14: Economic net present value compared of all scenarios to scenario 1
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
% variations with Baseline
Baseline
15%
14%
The economic net present value (ENPV, discounted at 5.5%) of scenario 2 is
highest and is expected to lead to a significant reduction in landings when
compared to baseline. Reduce fishing effort through the introduction of a
capacity reduction plan targeting 20% reduction in capacity and the reduction
in effort by a further 10% through the introduction of a temporary cessation
for the period spanning from 15 August to 15 September is therefore the
preferred option economically.
6.5
Selection of best management tools
Based on the stock assessments provide at a regional level a reduction in
fishing effort and capacity will be implemented. The best scenario based on
the socio-economic –review scenario 2 is deemed the most beneficial.
On this basis the DFA will be reducing fishing effort through the introduction
of a capacity reduction plan targeting 20% reduction in capacity and the
reduction in effort by a further 10% through the introduction of a temporary
cessation for the period spanning from 15 August to 15 September.
This option will ensure that if the capacity reduction initiative is not
successful in reducing the fishing effort, the temporary cessation will at least
reduce the effort by 10% which is equivalent to the fishing effort that is
normally dedicated in the 15 August to 15 September period.
The definition of harvest control rules, due to very low contribution of the
Maltese bottom otter trawling in terms of total landings, and the shared nature
of the stock, can only be done jointly for all fleets exploiting the same stocks.
This opinion is also found in the analysis put forward by STECF which, for
the same reasons, also establishes that Malta’s proposed reduction in effort is
excessive but that would still have little impact on the overall mortality on
these shared stocks. Therefore if harvest control rules were to be deemed to be
required, it is necessary to establish these through regional mechanisms and
not though national and unilateral management plans.
6.6
Implementation of management measures
The 20% capacity reduction is to be concluded by end of 2016, while the
temporary cessation of one month closed season will be implemented as from
2014 for the next three years.
6.7
Review of management measures
The review of the management measures will be conducted in 2016, unless
there is a drastic change in the stock assessment/economic situation of the
fishery. In such cases the review should take place earlier.
Conclusion
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture believes that the projected
actions in this document provide a coherent plan for safeguarding the long-
term future of the FMZ.
It should be noted that the stocks being managed under this management plan
are shared stocks and the contribution of landings by the Maltese fishing fleet,
when compared to landings of neighbouring countries are insignificant. On
this basis efforts should be made so as to agree and implement management
plans on a regional level to achieve the desired outcomes and to be in a
position to implement more concrete measures. Nonetheless, the Department
of Fisheries and Aquaculture will do its utmost to implement effective
monitoring and control measures focusing on gear selectivity in order to
ensure that all fishing activities within the FMZ are conducted in a responsible
and sustainable manner.
This plan should be treated as a 'living document' with ongoing processes for
reviewing, evaluating and amending the plan as needed. Regular review of the
progress in implementing the plan and its impact to the fishery will result in
continual re-examination of and improvement to policies, procedures and
legislation.
Annex I - Lampara
1.1
Description of Fishery
Coastal pelagic fishing in the Maltese Islands has been practised for a very
long time and at least since the 1930s when the use of the ‘lampara’ was first
recorded locally. The lampara is a surrounding net with purse seines. The term
‘lampara’ is used because fishers use strong lights to attract fish, which are
then caught by purse seining.
Fishing takes place all along the North side of the island but the main zone is
around a shallow area covering about 13 square kilometres, known as Hurd
bank located 11.5 km to the South East of the Maltese Islands. The minimum
depth at Hurd Bank is approximately 50 m with the intermediate area
descending to a maximum of 100 m. The fishing operation is usually
undertaken from 7 p.m. to 3 or 4 a.m. Two or three small boats (tenders) use
strong lights to attract the fish. When sufficient fish have been attracted, the
tender signals to the purse seine and switches off the lights. Then the purse
seiner surrounds the fish school, the net’s purse line is closed and net is pulled
out of the water.
Species targeted in this fishery in 2012 include in particular species of
mackerel and mackerel like fish (Scomber japonicus, Trachurus spp., Sarda
sarda), sardinella (Sardinella aurita), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), bogue
(Boops boops), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and barracuda (Sphyraena
sphyraena).
1.2
Fleet Structure and Capacity
In December 2012, 18 vessels were licensed to fish with the lampara. Whilst
the majority of vessels are artisanal in nature (multi-purpose, luzzu and kajjik
vessels), one large vessel is part of the fleet: which has a length of 27 m
(compared to an average of 14 m for the rest of the fleet), gross tonnage (GT)
of 97 (compared to an average of 25 for the rest of the fleet) and an engine
power of 671 kW (compared to an average of 151 for the rest of the fleet).
Considering the entire fleet, vessel length ranges from 4.8 m to 27 m, and
average vessel length is 14.8 m. Vessel gross tonnage ranges from 1 to 97, and
average GT is 29. Vessel engine power varies ranges from 7 kW to 671 kW,
and average power of the main engine is 180 kW.
The minimum, maximum and average of the dimensions of the lampara nets
used by the Maltese fleet as in January 2013 are presented in Table 16 below.
Table 15: Minimum, maximum and average dimensions of Lampara nets
Average
Max
Min
Length (m)
369.98
750.00
158.00
Width (m)
98
119.50
26.00
Meshsize (mm)
27.30
26.00
17.00
In order to better gauge the evolution and current capacity of the vessels
licensed to use lampara gear, an indication of the 2006 - 2012 fleet capacity is
presented below. As can be seen from Table 16: 2006 - 2012 fleet capacity
data for the lampara fleet, fleet capacity of vessels using lampara, in terms of
engine power and GT, has remained relatively stable in the 2006 to 2012
period. Nevertheless, a slight increase in kW and GT can be observed in 2009,
even though the number of vessels decreased. This can be attributed to
transfers of the lampara licences from one vessel owner to the other, as the
new owners may have vessels of different engine power and GT.
Table 16: 2006 - 2012 fleet capacity data for the lampara fleet
Total main
Number
Average
Average
Average main
Total GT
engine
of
GT of
vessel length
engine power
of vessels
power
vessels
vessels
(m)
(kW)
(kW)
1.3
Fishing effort
The available time series of effort data obtained from logbooks for vessels
larger than 10 m and from market sales vouchers for smaller vessels, was used
for analysis in this section. While market sales vouchers do not contain effort
information, this could be estimated since fishing trips using this gear do not
exceed more than one fishing day. Even though in 2012 landing officers
monitored all lampara catches and recorded fishing effort information, which
data is expected to be an improvement over the logbook and market sales
voucher data, the latter data was still used for 2012 in order to keep
methodology along the data series constant.
1.3.1
Effort Data
In order to assess whether the two fleet components which make up the
Maltese lampara fishery contribute equally to the overall fishing effort, the
percentage contributions of small vessels measuring less than 12 m length and
of large vessels measuring over 12 m length were calculated. 12 m is the
vessel length associated with vessels involved in artisanal fisheries.
Results show that the mean fishing effort exerted by small vessels in 2006-
2012 was very low in terms of both kW*fishing days and GT*fishing days.
Table 17: Percentage contribution of vessels with <12 m length overall (LOA)
to total lampara fleet effort. Effort data are represented in terms of kW*fishing
days and GT*fishing days. SD = standard deviation.
Mean
SD
KW*fishing
0.05
0.06
0.02
0.00
0.04
0.08
0.00
0.04
0.03
GT*fishing
0.02
0.04
0.01
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.00
0.02
0.02
Table 18: Percentage contribution of vessels with >12 m length overall (LOA)
to total lampara fleet effort. Effort data are represented in terms of kW*
fishing days and GT*fishing days. SD = standard deviation.
Mean
SD
KW*fishing
0.95
0.94
0.98
1.00
0.96
0.92
1.00
0.96
0.03
GT*fishing
0.98
0.96
0.99
1.00
0.99
0.98
1.00
0.98
0.02
Due to the dominance of vessels measuring > 12 m LOA in the lampara fleet it
is not necessary to carry out separate analyses for the two fleet segments.
1.3.2
Total Effort
The nominal annual fishing effort of the lampara fleet in terms of both
kW*fishing effort and GT*fishing effort was stable in 2006 - 2008, before
effectively doubling from 2008 to 2009. In 2010 fishing effort again decreased
to levels similar to those observed in 2008. After only a small increase in
effort in 2011, there was a drastic increase in fishing effort (by over 65%) in
2012 compared to the previous year.
Since there was no important increase in either mean vessel GT or mean
engine power, and Figure 17 shows a much smaller increase in fishing days
compared to the increase in kW*fishing effort and GT*fishing effort, this
pattern may be attributed to increased fishing activities by the larger vessels in
the Maltese lampara fleet.
Linear regression analyses were carried out for the increasing trends in fishing
effort in terms of kW*fishing effort and GT*fishing effort for the period 2006
- 2012 in order to gauge the measure of variation in the data. The results
returned low R 2 values (0.53 and 0.51 respectively), which confirms important
inter-annual fluctuations in the data.
70000
Effort (kW*Fishing Days)
60000
y = 6422.79x + 1720.44
50000
R 2 = 0.53
40000
30000
20000
10000
Year
Figure 17: Temporal variation in nominal fishing effort, expressed as engine
strength (kW)* fishing days, for the lampara fishing fleet, with fitted
regression line.
12000
Effor (GT*Fishing Days)
10000
y = 985.01x + 308.24
R 2 = 0.51
Year
Figure 18: Temporal variation in nominal fishing effort, expressed as vessel
gross tonnage (GT)* fishing days, for the lampara fishing fleet, with fitted
regression line.
1.3.3Monthly Effort
An analysis of monthly variations in average fishing effort in both kW*fishing
days and GT*fishing days showed low levels of fishing activity during the
autumn / winter months of September – February, followed by a gradual rise
in spring until reaching a clear peak in July.
Such information is important in relation to the biology of the two major target
species, chub mackerel (Somber japonicus) and round sardinella (Sardinella
aurita). The spawning season of both species is June-September, with a peak
in July for chub mackerel. The peak reproductive period thus coincides with
the period when the species are subjected to the highest fishing pressure.
Catch / effort control measures should target this period in order to allow the
species to reproduce successfully and ultimately ensure long term
sustainability of catches.
16000
(kW * Fishing Days)
12000
Average Effort
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 19: Mean monthly fishing effort (+/- 1 SD) for the lampara fishing
fleet in 2006-2012; units are effort in engine strength (kW)* fishing days.
(GT * Fishing Days)
Average Effort
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 20: Mean monthly fishing effort (+/- 1 SD) for the lampara fishing
fleet in 2006-2012; units are effort in vessel gross tonnage (GT)* fishing
days.
1.4
Conservation Status of Stocks
Due to the low volume of landings, effort and value the ‘lampara’ metier was
not identified by the ranking system referred to in Chapter III section B/B1 3
(1) (b) of the DCF (2008/949/EC). Consequently a series of data collected
under the EU Data Collection Programme is not available to assess this
fishery. Nevertheless, the available data was presented below and catch per
unit effort (CPUE) was used in order to base advice for management.
1.5
Evolution of Landings
1.5.1
Evolution of Total Landings
Figure 21: Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landings recorded in the
Maltese Islands in 1954-2012 (Source: Maltese National Statistics).
The pelagic species targeted by the lampara fishery used to be a very
important part of the total national fish landings. Before the advent of the
fisheries targeting swordfish and tuna and the targeting of demersal species
such as hake and red mullet, the local market used to absorb all the catches,
and especially chub mackerel was then, along with the dolphin fish, one of the
most sought after species. Catch and effort for the lampara fishery have
however decreased significantly since the 1960s, with an average of 27 tonnes
of landings recorded in 2006-2008. The main reasons for the decline of the
lampara fishery after the 1960s are the development of long-line fishing,
starting with swordfish in 1964 (peaking in 1971) and the tuna fishery in 1993.
These fish were more sought after by the consumer, and attracted higher
prices. This is in particular the case with blue fin tuna, which is often exported
directly to the Japanese market.
The percentage contribution of small (vessels with < 12 m length overall) and
large (vessels with > 12 m length overall) was calculated in order to assess the
relevant contributions made by the two fleet components which make up the
Maltese lampara fishery.
Due to the dominance of vessels measuring > 12 m length overall in the
lampara fleet it is not necessary to carry out separate landings analyses for the
two fleet segments.
Table 19: Percentage contribution to total landings by small vessels (<12 m in
length) and large vessels (>12 m in length) in the lampara fleet. SD = standard
deviation.
Mean
SD
0.03
0.16
0.03
0.00
0.04
0.01
0.00
0.04
0.06
0.97
0.84
0.97
1.00
0.96
0.99
1.00
0.96
0.06
Total annual landings of the lampara fishery were plotted and the trend
analysed by a regression analysis. Linear regression shows that although there
was an overall increasing trend, the trend was not linear due to important
inter-annual fluctuations in the data (R 2 = 0.67).
Total Landings (t)
y = 64.21x - 129
R 2 = 0.67
Year
Figure 22: Regression analysis of total annual landings of the lampara fleet
recorded in 2006-2012.
1.5.2
Species Composition of Landings
Detailed information on the species composition of landings is important to
consider when managing a fishery. This is particularly the case if monthly
catch / effort control measures are being considered for a multi-species fishery
like the lampara. Monthly species composition of landings in this context need
to be evaluated in order to effectively guide management measures aiming at
(1) minimising the impacts of the fishery on by-catch, (2) effectively reducing
fishing effort on those stocks showing the greatest signs of possible
overexploitation, and (3) reducing the socio-economic impact of monthly
control / effort management measures if species with different market value
are being harvested.
Available landings data for the Maltese lampara fishery contains records of at
least 42 different taxa. Due to a number of species which are very similar in
appearance, data for landings of S. aurita may actually include more than one
species. In order to solve for this problem in future years, monthly samples
will be collected and the fish accurately identified and counted. The results
from these samples will be extrapolated to the total landings.
Table 20: Landings (tonnes) of key target species of the lampara fishery
obtained from logbooks and sales market vouchers.
Chub Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
10.74
10.51
13.37
223.09
60.33
43
248.41
Sardinella aurita
Sardinella
2.95
1.45
4.88
4.91
43.51
50.86
192.85
Jack Mackerel
Trachurus spp.
6.09
3.61
8.79
5.32
7.58
13.27
11.92
Anchovy
Engraulis
encrasicolus
0.00
0.00
1.46
8.36
4.51
8.39
0.12
Boops boops
2.80
1.43
0.96
2.99
1.86
0.64
5.35
Barracuda
Sphyraena
sphyraena
0.00
0.52
0.08
0.00
0.23
0.03
0.00
Atlantic Bonito
Sarda sarda
0.00
0.21
0.00
1.18
0.29
0.02
0.03
Sardina pilchardus
2.53
0.35
0.00
0.00
1.26
0.00
32.97
Other species
4.25
1.85
0.96
1.87
2.60
0.48
33.00
Grand Total
26.82
19.58
30.51
247.71
91
176.12
491.67
When landings information is plotted by species, it becomes clear that the rise
in total annual landings observed in 2012 is due to two species: chub mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) and round sardinella (Sardinella aurita).
Landings of chub mackerel were low in 2006 - 2008 (mean 12 tonnes),
increased dramatically to 223 tonnes in 2009 before dropping to lower values
in 2010 and 2011 (mean 81 tonnes) and rising to the highest levels recorded in
the entire time series in 2012 (248 tonnes). Round sardinella landings were
low in 2006-2009 (mean 4 tonnes) before increasing significantly in 2010-
2011 (mean 47 tonnes) and again in 2012 (193 tonnes). Landings of all other
species combined on average only contributed 25% to total catches.
Scomber japonicus
Sardinella aurita
Total Landings (t)
Other Species
Year
Figure 23: Total annual landings of the lampara fleet for the key target species
chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and round sardinella (Sardinella aurita)
compared to the combined annual landings of all other species recorded for
the period 2006-2012.
An assessment was made to quantify the relative monthly landing
contributions of chub mackerel, round sardinella and total landings of other
species. Results show that non target species in 2006 - 2012 dominated
catches during the months of October, November, December and January.
Chub mackerel on average was the most important species caught in February-
September. The relative contribution of round sardinella catches increased
during the second and third quarters, but the species was never the dominant
species in recorded catches.
Whilst these patterns give an indication of the species composition of monthly
landing patterns, the recorded high standard deviation values show that there
was considerable variation over the analysed time period.
Scomber japonicus
Sardinella aurita
Other Species
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Figure 24: Relative contribution of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), round
sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and other species as mean percentage
contribution to total monthly landings (±1SD) recorded for the period 2006-
2012.
1.6
MEDIAS Biomass Indices
The biomass indices (BI) for two main target species caught by the lampara
fisheries were calculated using data from the MEDIAS survey. This survey
uses Echosounders in order to collect abundance, biomass and other biological
parameters for the target species; Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina
pilchardus. As shown in figure 25, Engraulis encrasicolus had a greater
average BI (333.3 kg/km 2 ) than Sardina pilchardus (72.1 kg/km 2 ). While
interannual fluctuations were observed for both species, over the last 4 years
the biomass of E. encrasicolus showed an overall increase whilst that of S.
pilchardus showed an overall decrease. Such interannual fluctuations are
typical of small pelagic species. Furthermore it can be noticed that the BI of
both species change antagonistically: when one species is abundant, the other
is nearly absent.
Figure 25: Biomass Indices for lampara target species obtained from MEDIAS
1.7
Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) Data
1.7.1
Evolution of CPUE Trends
CPUE estimates provide a relative index of stock abundance; an increase in
CPUE can be interpreted as a positive sign showing that species are not yet
subjected to overfishing. However, inter-annual changes in CPUE can also be
due to changes in fishing technology, stock abundance due to natural
fluctuations in population productivity, and changes in the species targetted by
fishers. All these aspects need to be taken into consideration when interpreting
CPUE as an indicator. Moreover, particular caution needs to be applied in
relation to stocks of small pelagic fish like chub mackerel and round
sardinella. Due to the schooling behaviour of these species catch rates can
remain steady for a considerable period of time even though the overall
population size is is actually declining.
A CPUE analysis was nevertheless carried out for the two key target species
Scomber japonicus and Sardinella aurita based on kW*fishing days and
GT*fishing days.
Results showed increasing trends in CPUE for both species during 2006 -
2012; GT*fishing days and KW*fishing days give virtually identical patterns.
Due to the nature of the data series and the strong inter-annual variations,
linear regression analysis on the whole gave low values with regards to
goodness of fit. Overall, the data seem to suggest that neither Chub Mackerel
nor Round Sardinella are currently overfished.
Scomber japonicus
CPUE (kg/kW*Fishing Days)
y = 0.6555x - 1314.1
R = 0.4174
Year
Figure 26: Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for chub mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for the period
2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Scomber japonicus
CPUE (kg/GT*Fishing Days)
y = 4.3218x - 8664.3
R = 0.4452
Year
Figure 27: Catch per unit effort (as kg/GT*Fishing Days) for chub mackerel
(Scomber japonicus) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for the period
2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
Sardinella aurita
CPUE (kg/GT*Fishing Days)
y = 3.2678x - 6557.5
R = 0.7899
Year
Figure 29: Catch per unit effort (as kg/GT*Fishing Days) for round sardinella
(Sardinella aurita) recorded in the Maltese lampara fishery for the period
2006-2012, with fitted regression line.
1.7.2
CPUE Thresholds
In the absence of biomass target reference points such as ‘maximum
sustainable yield’ from stock assessments, CPUE effort thresholds can be used
as an alternative until sufficient biological data has been collected to carry out
a full stock assessment. Since the lampara fishery is targeting small pelagic
species, the limitations of the CPUE as a relative index of stock size need to be
kept in mind, and lower threshold levels need to be set than would be required
for demersal species.
CPUE thresholds were calculated for the two main target species, chub
mackerel and round sardinella. The thresholds were only calculated for CPUE
trends in kW*fishing days since effort data based on engine strength and gross
vessel tonnage seem to be closely correlated for vessels in the Maltese
lampara fishery.
Annual CPUE thresholds as well as monthly CPUE were calculated; the latter
was deemed necessary due to the observed seasonal fluctuations in catch
volumes. The CPUEs corresponding to the 25% percentile of the datasets are
indicated in Table 21: Cumulative frequency of annual CPUE data in kg/
kW*fishing days for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the
Maltese lampara fleet during 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the CPUE
data is highlighted in bold. to Table 27: Monthly CPUE threshold limits for
the Maltese lampara fleet based on 25th percentile of monthly CPUE recorded
during 2006-2012. below, these can be used as minimum reference points for
CPUE trends recorded for the lampara fleet.
In the case of annual thresholds, catches should not be allowed to fall under
such reference points for three consecutive years, or any other time period
deemed appropriate by policy makers. In the case of monthly thresholds,
catches should be monitored on a quarter by quarter basis and if catches fall
below the reference CPUE threshold, catch / effort restrictions as deemed
appropriate by policy makers should be applied in the following quarter.
Unless the CPUE subsequently recovers to above threshold levels, catch /
effort restrictions should be continued during the following quarter.
The annual 25% threshold for chub mackerel and round sardinella catches lie
at a CPUE of 3.09 and 2.15 kg/kW*fishing days, respectively.
Table 21: Cumulative frequency of annual CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing days
for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet
during 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the CPUE data is highlighted in
bold.
CPUE
Year
Cum. Freq.
0.73
3.72
0.74
7.46
0.77
11.34
3.09
27.00
3.67
45.60
4.35
67.61
6.40
100.00
Table 22: Cumulative frequency of annual CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing days
for round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet
during 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the CPUE data is highlighted in
bold.
CPUE
Year
Cum. Freq.
0.13
1.59
0.14
3.35
0.20
5.89
0.28
9.39
2.16
36.41
2.23
64.32
2.85
100.00
The months during which over 80% of landings of the two key target species
chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and round sardinella (Sardinella aurita)
were recorded during 2006-2012 were identified in order to determine the
respective species’ main fishing seasons (Table 21: Cumulative frequency of
annual CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing days for chub mackerel (Scomber
japonicus) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet during 2006-2012. The 25th
percentile of the CPUE data is highlighted in bold. and Table 22: Cumulative
frequency of annual CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing days for round sardinella
(Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet during 2006-2012. The
25th percentile of the CPUE data is highlighted in bold.). Monthly CPUE
thresholds were calculated for the relevant months (Table 25 and Table 26
Cumulative frequency of monthly CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing days for
round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet during
the months of May-August 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the CPUE data
is highlighted in bold.); for Scomber japonicus, on average 87% of landings
were made in April – August, whilst for Sardinella aurita on average 95% of
landings were made in May – August.
A summary of the monthly 25% threshold CPUE thresholds for chub mackerel
and round sardinella catches which could be used as the basis of monthly
safety thresholds to maintain the long term sustainability of catches are shown
in Table 28.
Table 23: Percentage monthly contribution to total annual landings for chub
mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet during
2006-2012. The months which represent the main fishing season of the species
are marked in bold.
Mean
Table 24: Percentage monthly contribution to total annual landings for round
sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese lampara fleet during 2006-
2012. The months which represent the main fishing season of the species are
marked in bold.
Mean
Table 25: Cumulative frequency of monthly CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing
days for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) landed by the Maltese lampara
fleet during the months of April-August 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the
CPUE data is highlighted in bold.
Cum.
Cum.
Season
CPUE
Season
CPUE
Freq.
Freq.
Apr06
0.47
2.28
Jul07
0.32
1.54
Apr08
1.01
7.17
Jul08
0.53
4.08
Apr09
1.22
13.12
Jul06
0.81
8.00
Apr07
2.88
27.09
Jul10
2.66
20.86
Apr11
4.06
46.77
Jul11
3.46
37.57
Apr10
4.27
67.47
Jul12
3.98
56.78
Apr12
6.70
100.00
Jul09
8.95
100.00
May08
0.08
0.40
Aug10
0.21
0.40
May07
0.21
1.53
Aug07
0.95
1.53
May06
0.46
3.96
Aug08
1.05
3.96
May10
2.65
18.04
Aug06
1.31
18.04
May09
4.20
40.32
Aug12
3.76
40.32
May12
5.42
69.10
Aug11
4.67
69.10
May11
5.82
100.00
Aug09
5.72
100.00
Jun07
0.40
2.07
Jun06
0.54
4.83
Jun08
0.66
8.19
Jun09
3.13
24.22
Jun12
3.31
41.16
Jun10
4.83
65.90
Jun11
6.66
100.00
Table 26: Cumulative frequency of monthly CPUE data in kg/kW*fishing
days for round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) landed by the Maltese lampara
fleet during the months of May-August 2006-2012. The 25th percentile of the
CPUE data is highlighted in bold.
Cum.
Cum.
Season
CPUE
Season
CPUE
Freq.
Freq.
May09
0.05
2.01
Jul09
0.02
0.20
May07
0.07
4.79
Jul06
0.03
0.48
May11
0.11
9.14
Jul07
0.04
0.85
May08
0.17
15.80
Jul08
0.08
1.59
May12
0.57
38.45
Jul11
2.62
26.68
May10
0.59
61.87
Jul10
3.06
55.94
May06
0.96
100.00
Jul12
4.61
100.00
Jun09
0.01
0.18
Aug06
0.17
0.94
Jun06
0.03
0.67
Aug07
0.60
4.32
Jun07
0.08
2.22
Aug08
0.88
9.24
Jun08
0.14
4.79
Aug09
1.38
16.98
Jun10
0.25
9.50
Aug10
4.37
41.47
Jun11
1.66
40.79
Aug12
4.70
67.82
Jun12
3.14
100.00
Aug11
5.74
100.00
Table 27: Monthly CPUE threshold limits for the Maltese lampara fleet based
on 25th percentile of monthly CPUE recorded during 2006-2012.
Species
Month
CPUE Threshold
April
2.88
May
4.2
Mackerel
June
3.31
Chub
July
3.46
August
3.76
May
0.57
Sardinella
June
1.66
Round
July
2.62
August
4.37
1.8
Stock Assessments
All stocks targeted by the Maltese lampara fishery are stocks shared with
Sicily due to the population distribution over the Malta Bank, which connects
the Maltese Islands with Sicily. Stock assessments of the relevant species will
thus have to be carried out in collaboration with Italy.
Stock assessment information for the Central Mediterranean is at present not
available for chub mackerel (S. japonicus) and round sardinella (S. aurita).
Malta’s relative contributions to the landings of the main species caught with
the lampara in the Central Mediterranean are presented in Table 28: Central
Mediterranean landings (t) of species targeted by the lampara fishery. Malta’s
values include landings from all of the Maltese fleet and not only from the
lampara fishery. Source: GFCM Production Statistics; reference year 2010.
below. Malta’s contributions towards catches of these species are below 10 %
for the majority of the species except for Sardinella aurita which is slightly
higher (24.9%). This slightly higher percentage can be attributed to the
grouping of clupeoids under one name for the Maltese landings data.
Table 28: Central Mediterranean landings (t) of species targeted by the
lampara fishery. Malta’s values include landings from all of the Maltese fleet
and not only from the lampara fishery. Source: GFCM Production Statistics;
reference year 2010.
English Name
Scientific Name
Italy
Malta
% Contribution
Chub Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
9.3
Round Sardinella
Sardinella aurita
24.9
Jack Mackerel
Trachurus spp
0.8
Anchovy
Engraulis encrasicolus
13898
0.0
Boops boops
3.3
Sardine
Sardina pilchardus
0.0
An attempt at performing a surplus production model was made by the
Maltese Authorities, however, the model fit to the data was very poor,
rendering use of the model for fisheries management purposes scientifically
unjustifiable. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture identified the
following reasons why the available data are not suitable for such an analysis
1. The available time series of catch and effort data is very short.
2. Discard data are not available for this fishery.
3. Due to the assumptions made by the surplus production model, results
can only be reliable if all catches taken from a population are included; in
the present case, both Maltese and Italian catch and effort data would
need to be included in the analysis, especially since the Maltese catch is
very small compared to the Italian catch and the same stock is targeted by
both fishing fleets.
4. No estimates of how catchability changed over time are available.
1.9
Impact on the By-Catch Species and the Environment
By-catch species which have been recorded in landings in 2006-2011 are
Sarda sarda, Sphyraena sphyraena, Loligo vulgaris, Oblada melanura, Auxis
thazard, A. rochei, Sarpa salpa, Euthynnus alletteratus, Seriola dumerili,
Trachinus spp, Caranx crysos, Serranus cabrilla, Dentex spp, Phycis spp,
Sepia officinalis, Pagrus pagrus.
The Maltese Authorities are in the process of obtaining more statistical
information on the above. However, this is not expected to have any bearing
on the management plan, as these species will only form a very insignificant
percentage of the catches in the Central Mediterranean.
1.10
Socio-Economic Characteristics of Fishery
The economic performance of the vessels using the ‘lampara’ gear is based on
a set of variables and indicators which were calculated using the economic
data collected annually for the purpose of the EU Data Collection Programme
by means of a sample survey. Due to the small scale nature of this fishery, the
majority of the fishers surveyed do not have any accounting practices and thus
values obtained cannot be considered as precise.
It is very important to note that vessels using the lampara gear adopt a
multiple-fisheries approach throughout the year.
Economic variables
specifically related to the lampara fishery started being collected only since
2011 (reference year), for use in the management plans, since the EU Data
Collection Framework only targets indicators by vessel. The sampled
population is defined as the entire commercial Maltese fishing fleet which
includes the entire full-time commercial (MFA) and part-time commercial
(MFB) fishing vessels. Both inactive and active vessels were considered.
In order to obtain an approximation of economic indicators specifically for the
lampara gear, energy costs, repair and maintenance costs, variable costs,
wages and salaries were divided by the proportion of hours worked with this
gear (there was no data of previous years so the proportion in 2011 was used
on data of all years). Economic indicators that are not directly related to the
fishing gear in question were removed for clarity.
The different regulations upon which the National data collection was based
that is, DCR (Data Collection Regulation) and DCF (Data Collection
Framework) introduced differences in the type of data collected and
consequently the variables available. Data collected for the reference years
2006 and 2007 is based on the DCR, while data collected for the reference
years 2008 until 2011 are based on the DCF. The table below includes the
values for the economic variables and indicators for the years 2006-2011. A
detailed description of the sampling approach used to collect economic
variables is given in Annex 3.
Table 29: Values for the economic variables and indicators for the lampara
fleet, years 2006-2011. For definitions of the variables and indicators used
refer to Annex 3.
Economic
Variables
Gross Value of
EURO
28,165
62,509
110,955
105,421
23,849
191,353
landings
Other income
EURO
N/A
N/A
Total income
EURO
28,165
62,509
110,955
105,421
23,849
191,353
Energy costs
EURO
13,171
14,478
42,073
21,784
35,991
53,138
Repair and
maintenance
EURO
3,184
1,994
4,301
3,270
2,882
8,141
Variable costs
EURO
13,410
12,288
24,851
15,021
5,273
1,185
Non-variable
EURO
2,098
4,049
4,988
1,985
4,132
8,508
Total costs
31,863
32,809
76,213
42,060
48,278
70,972
Economic
Performance
Indicators
Operating Cash
EURO
-17,514
6,849
17,937
48,879
-47,111
86,470
Flow (OCF)
Social Variables
Wages and
EURO
13,816
22,851
16,805
14,482
22,682
33,911
salaries of staff
NUMB
N/A
employees
ER
No. of FTE
NUMB
N/A
N/A
National
ER
The highest gross value of landings and total income was experienced during
the year 2011 with value of landings amounting to €191,353. Since there were
no other sources of income in 2011, €191,353 is also the total income. The
highest costs during the years 2006 and 2007 were spent in wages and salaries,
followed by energy costs. As for the years 2008 through to 2011 the highest
cost is that of energy. The lowest cost value for the all the years is that of non-
variable (fixed) costs, except for 2011 where the variable costs are the lowest
ones. The increase in non-variable costs was accompanied by a decrease in
variable costs in 2011, the variable costs probably decreased due to the fact
that fisherman were asked for costs related to lampara fishing gear only in
2011. As a conclusion the best year in terms of operating cash flow is the year 2011
with a value amounting to €86,470.
Annex 2 - Bottom Otter Trawlers
1. Fisheries Characteristics
Different types of trawling activities are undertaken during the year, these can
be grouped in Deep sea trawling during the day and night in where red
shrimps (Aristaeomorpha foliacea and to a lesser extent Aristeus antennatus)
are targeted. When fishing red shrimps there are low quantities of by-catch,
except for small marketable by-catches of forkbeard (Phycis blennoides) and
hake (Merluccius merluccius). The trawling grounds are found in an area
about 13 km to the North West of Malta. Since the terrain is composed of
mud, and free from obstacles, the duration of each trawl is at least 4 hours,
consequently advantage is taken of the long daylight in the summer as at least
3 trawls a day can be undertaken. The vessels with small engines cannot trawl
at these depths.
Trawling in depths of around 200 m, (during the day) where the terrain is
mainly muddy yields white shrimps (Parapenaeus longirostris), hake
(Merluccius merluccius), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), octopus (Octopus
vulgaris), squid (Illex coindetti), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and marketable
by-catches of dogfish, spotted dogfish, skate and rays (Raja spp.), bogue
(Boops boops) and scad (Trachurus mediterraneus). These species are fished
very close to land (around 6 km) and the activity is mainly carried out in
winter, when the weather does not allow to fish in deeper waters by vessels
that are licensed to operate in these waters.
Trawling at night in depths of between 50 and 150 meters where the bottom is
hard and rocky, yields red mullet (Mullus barbatus), comber (Serranus
cabrilla), Pandora (Pagellus spp.), squid (Illex coindetti), cuttlefish (Sepia
spp.) and weaver (Trachinus spp.). This type of trawling is undertaken all
along the Northern side of the island but the main zone is on the north-eastern
side around Hurd Bank where stocks are more abundant. Trawl time can
never be longer than one hour, since the rough terrain will put too much strain
on the trawl nets and damage them. This allows for several trawls to be
carried out during the dark hours. This trawling is restricted to vessels under
24 meters and engine power below 185 kW.
1.1
Fleet Structure and Capacity
Three types of licenses exist for the Maltese trawl fleet: license type A, where
trawling is permitted within the 25 NM zone and in all waters outside the 25
NM zone, license type B, where trawling is permitted within the 25 NM zone
in waters > 200m depth, and license type C, where trawling is only permitted
in all waters outside the 25 NM zone. A total of 23 trawlers are currently
licensed to operate on a full-time basis, 12 of which can operate within the 25
NM Malta FMZ (Table 30: Vessels licensed to use bottom otter trawl gear
within the Malta FMZ.). Since the present management plan covers fisheries
in the Malta FMZ, data and management measures presented will only cover
the trawlers having a licence type A or B, unless stated otherwise.
Vessel length varies from 19.17 m to 23.95 m, with an average vessel length of
22.4 m. Vessel gross tonnage varies from 45.0 to 186.7 with an average gross
tonnage of 88.1. Vessel engine power ranges from 147 kW to 538 kW, with an
average power of 333 kW. The average age of the vessels is 34 years.
Table 30: Vessels licensed to use bottom otter trawl gear within the Malta
FMZ.
Vessel
Year of
Vessel
Gross
Power
License Type
Registrati
Constructi
Length
Tonnag
(kW)
on
on
(m)
e (GT)
MFA0047
19.3
54.72
185.01
MFA0271
19.17
MFA0346
23.92
69.72
179.04
Within 25 mile zone;
All waters outside 25
MFA0365
19.4
06
miles zone
MFA6034
23.4
MFA7197
23.7
MFA0081
23.95
106.46
MFA0128
21.8
50.05
328.24
Within 25 mile zone
MFA0297
23.95
186.7
>200m;
MFA0301
23.95
All waters outside 25
MFA0309
22.21
375.24
mile zone
MFA7082
23.9
The capacity of the Maltese Fleet within the FMZ at present (January 2013) is
at 3,700.59 kW. This amount is slightly higher than the reference fishing
capacity allocated for Maltese trawlers within the FMZ which corresponds to
3,600 kW (Article 26 para 3a of Council Regulation 1967/2006). This
amounts to an excess of 2.79% of the total capacity. One should note however
that the overall fishing capacity of the trawlers allowed to operate in the FMZ
must not exceed the ceiling of 4,800 kW (Article 26 para 2a of Council
Regulation 1967/2006).
In order to decrease the capacity level to 3,600kW the number of vessels has
to be reduced by one. As a result at least one vessel should be removed from
the vessels authorized within the FMZ.
1.2
Total landings over 2007-2011
The series of landings data available was evaluated. 2012 data was not
included in the analysis as it was still being compiled at the time of
preparation of this document.
1.2.1
Evolution of Total Landings
Total annual landings of the trawl fishery were plotted and the trend analysed
by a regression analysis. Linear regression shows that although there was an
overall increasing trend, the trend was not linear due to important inter-annual
fluctuations in the data (R 2 = 0.63).
Landings (t)
y = 17.85x - 35714
R 2 = 0.6216
Year
Figure 30: Regression analysis of total annual landings of the trawl fleet
licensed to work within the Malta FMZ recorded in 2006-2011.
An analysis of monthly variations in mean landings during the period 2006-
2011 showed lower levels of landings in the months of October – March,
followed by a period with higher landings in April – September. This pattern
mirrors the pattern of mean monthly fishing effort exerted during the same
period, indicating that monthly fluctuations in landings are almost certainly
due to variations in fishing effort, rather than being caused by seasonal
fluctuations in the target populations. Since many of the species targeted by
Maltese bottom otter trawlers are deep water species found on the continental
shelf / slope, and which occur in habitats where there are much more subdued
seasonal variations than in shallow waters, such a pattern can be expected.
Mean Total Landings (t)
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Year
Figure 31: Mean monthly total landings (±1 SD) for the trawl fishing fleet in
2006-2011.
1.2.2
Species Composition of Landings
Detailed information on the species composition of landings is important to
consider when managing a fishery. Whilst seasonal variations in species
composition are likely to be less pronounced than, for instance, in a fishery
targeting small pelagic fish, due to the nature of the species that the trawl
fishery is targeting, it is important to note that the trawl fishery is a multi-
species fishery. Species composition of landings in this context need to be
evaluated in order to effectively guide management measures aiming at (1)
minimising the impacts of the fishery on by-catch, (2) effectively reducing
fishing effort on those stocks showing the greatest signs of possible
overexploitation, and (3) reducing the socio-economic impact of monthly
control / effort management measures if species with different market value
are being harvested.
Available landings data for the Maltese trawl fishery contains records of at
least 128 different taxa. An overview of key taxa fished by trawlers in 2006-
2011 is presented in Table 31 below.
Table 31: Landings of key taxa fished by Maltese bottom otter trawlers in the
Maltese FMZ during 2006-2011.
Landings (t)
Scientific name
Aristaeomorpha foliacea
27.40
31.65
26.30
29.21
25.73
39.22
Boops boops
1.01
5.60
4.40
4.56
3.50
2.76
Lophius spp.
0.27
0.85
1.54
1.26
0.00
0.00
Merluccius merluccius
4.75
5.61
0.65
7.46
1.68
4.79
Mullus spp.
9.35
23.17
43.55
35.71
29.46
30.11
Nephrops norvegicus
0.01
0.63
1.21
1.49
2.57
1.74
Octopus spp.
1.22
1.57
3.09
1.05
1.02
0.84
Pagellus spp.
0.91
2.23
3.33
5.76
4.01
3.05
Pagrus pagrus
0.04
0.19
0.09
1.26
0.05
0.07
Parapenaeus longirostris
11.08
7.04
21.65
14.09
6.67
19.92
Raja spp.
1.32
3.24
4.64
5.87
4.70
6.07
Sepia spp.
1.18
2.54
6.18
12.36
8.37
9.83
Spicara spp.
0.12
4.60
4.17
5.54
8.73
8.66
Zeus faber
0.20
0.74
2.42
3.04
2.03
2.38
Other Species
10.55
16.38
40.53
47.16
40.98
42.42
69.40
106.05
163. 76
83
139.50
171.87
An analysis of trends in total landings of important target species (giant red
shrimp, pink shrimp, hake, red mullet and striped red mullet) compared to
landings of all other species combined during 2006-2011, revealed that (1)
landings of giant red shrimp remained relatively stable during 2006-2010 but
increased in 2011, (2) pink shrimp and hake landings underwent several
fluctuations during the six year period analysed, (3) landings of red mullet and
striped red mullet combined increased considerably during 2006-2008, and
have been steadily decreasing since, and (4) there has been an important
increase in the relative contribution to total landings by other species. The
latter effect is due to an increase in landings of a variety of species, of which
six were of particular importance during 2006-2011 (Table 32): common
cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), blue whiting (Micromesistius pouassou), Norway
lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), common pandora (Pagellus erythriunus),
golden shrimp (Plesionika martia) and unicorn octopus (Scaergus unicirrhus).
A. foliacea
P. longirostris
Landings (t)
M. merluccius
Mullus spp.
Other species
Year
Figure 32: Total annual landings of the trawl fleet for the key target species
giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus
longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and striped red mullet
(Mullus spp.), compared to the combined annual landings of all other species
recorded for the period 2006-2011.
Table 32: Species characterised by an important increase in landings recorded
from Maltese bottom otter trawlers in the Maltese FMZ during 2006-2011.
Landings (t)
Scientific Name
Sepia officinalis
1.18
2.54
6.18
12.28
8.29
9.77
Micromesistius poutassou
0.01
0.00
0.09
6.04
8.11
4.51
Nephrops norvegicus
0.01
0.63
1.21
1.49
2.57
1.74
Pagellus erythrinus
0.90
1.81
3.32
5.50
3.98
2.99
Plesionika martia
0.00
0.00
3.49
3.07
4.24
6.73
Scaergus unicirrhus
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.14
4.98
4.12
2.10
4.98
14.29
33.51
32.17
29.84
When mean monthly landings information is plotted, it becomes clear that as
expected, there were no major fluctuations in the relative monthly
contributions of the main target species to mean landings recorded in 2006-
2011. Whilst these patterns give an indication of the species composition of
the monthly landing, the high standard deviation values show that there was
considerable variation over the analysed time period.
Landings (t)
M. merluccius
P. longirostris
Mullus spp.
A. foliacea
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Month
Figure 33: Relative contribution of the key target species: giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), hake
(Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), to
total mean monthly landings (±1SD) recorded for the period 2006-2011.
2. MEDITS Biomass Indices
Apart from CPUE data, fisheries-independent data obtained from the annual
spring-summer MEDITS survey, is used and presented below in order to show
the trend of the main target species in the bottom otter trawl fishery.
The biomass index (BI) is a measure used in fisheries in order to provide an
estimate of density of fish present in an area. Biomass indices (kg/m 2 ) for
major target species caught by trawlers were computed. These included the
following species
-
Merluccius merluccius
-
Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus
-
Aristaemorpha foliacea
-
Parapenaeus longirostris
The Biomass index for the European hake (M. merluccius) from 2007 till 2011
can be seen in Figure 34. There was a slight variance in BI over the last 5
years. Values ranged from 2.5 kg/km 2 to 3.1 kg/km 2 . While BI remained
constant between 2007 and 2009 at an average of 3.0 kg/km 2 , a decline to
lower levels was observed in 2010 (2.5 kg/km 2 ), with a slight increase in 2011
(2.7 kg/km 2 ). 2008 had the best BI (3.1 kg/km 2 ). Reasons for the decline in
2010 can be attributed to a higher fishing effort in 2009 causing a decline in
the fish stock of hake.
Figure 34: Biomass index for M. merluccius
Mullus spp. comprises the species Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus.
The BI for both species was plotted in Figure 35. M. surmuletus displayed a
lower BI than M. barbatus (difference of 0.5 kg/km 2 ). The overall 5 year trend
for these two species remained relatively stable with a slight decline. Trends
of BI for one species were similar to the other with the exception of 2011.
Indeed in this year M. barbatus displayed an increase in BI whilst M.
surmuletus BI continued to decrease.
Figure 35: Biomass indices for Mullus spp.
The last two BI indices that were plotted below describe the BI of crustaceans.
Figure 36 shows the BI index for Aristaemorpha foliacea. The stock
population of A .foliacea increased over the last 5 years. This can be
portrayed throught the staggered increments of BI values, were every two
years a higher BI was achieved.
Figure 36: Biomass Index for A. foliacea
Parapenaeus longirostris (Figure 37: Biomass Index for P. longirostrisFigure
37) has a different graph profile than A. foliacea. The overall pattern for this
species is very similar to that oberved for the Mullus spp, with an overall
stable BI with a slight decline. An increase in BI can be observed from 2007 to
2009. Then, similarly to the other target species a decline BI for 2010 took
place. The difference between 2009 to 2010 was that of 8 kg/km 2 . This
pattern in results can be used as a confirmation that a higher fishing effort was
present in 2010. Populations of P. longirostris were given enough time to
regenerate in 2011.
Figure 37: Biomass Index for P. longirostris
2.1
Fishing Effort
2.1.1
Evolution of CPUE Trends
Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) estimates provide a relative index of stock
abundance; an increase in CPUE can be interpreted as a positive sign showing
that species are not yet subjected to overfishing. However, inter-annual
changes in CPUE can also be due to changes in fishing technology, stock
abundance due to natural fluctuations in population productivty, and changes
in the species targetted by fishers. All these aspects need to be taken into
consideration when interpreting CPUE as an indicator.
A CPUE analysis was carried out for the key target species: giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), hake
(Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.),
based on two nominal effort parameters: kW*fishing days and GT*fishing
days. Since the trends were clearly not linear, no attempt was made at fitting
regression lines.
Overall, CPUE for giant red shrimp, hake and pink shrimp decrease during
2006-2011, whilst CPUE for red mullet and striped red mullet combined
increased in 2006-2008, before decreasing gradually back to 2006 levels
during 2008-2011. The latter could be the result of an artefact since data is
only available for the two species in an aggregated form; it is generally not
advisable to combine CPUE indicators for several species. CPUE for all
species during 2006-2011 expressed in terms of GT*fishing days and
KW*fishing days give virtually identical patterns.
A. foliacea
M. merluccius
CPUE (kg/kW*Fishing Days)
Mullus spp.
P. longirostris
0.24
0.20
0.16
0.12
0.08
0.04
0.00
Year
Figure 38: Catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for the key target
species: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and
striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for the
period 2006-2011.
A. foliacea
M. merluccius
CPUE (kg/GT*Fishing Days)
Mullus spp.
P. longirostris
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Year
Figure 39: Catch per unit effort (as kg/GT*Fishing Days) for the key target
species: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp
(Parapenaeus longirostris), hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and
striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for the
period 2006-2011.
CPUE can be used as an index of relative stock abundance and as such CPUE
trends can be expected to be correlated with trends in biomass indices from
fisheries independent data such as scientific surveys. In the case of the
Maltese bottom otter trawl fishery, biomass indices are available from the
annual MEDITS trawl survey. An attempt was thus made to correlate the
commercial CPUE trends for each of the key target species: giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), hake
(Merluccius merluccius), red mullet and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.), with
trends in MEDITS biomass indices recorded during 2006-2011.
Since MEDITS surveys are carried out during the summer months (generally
in May-July), an attempt was made to compare MEDITS biomass indices to
commercial CPUE data recorded during the same period of the year by
calculating mean monthly CPUE indices for May-July for the period 2006-
2011 for each of the key target species being assessed. There was no
improvement in the correlation between trends, so only the analysis using
annual commercial CPUE as an index of relative stock abundance is presented
below.
For giant red shrimp there was no correlation in trends in 2006-2008, possibly
due to problems with the estimation of commercial CPUE trends. Trends in
pink shrimp, hake and red mullet / striped red mullet commercial CPUE and
MEDITS biomass indices were similar although not exactly correlated. Whilst
survey biomass indices are estimated following a standardised scientific
sampling protocol, commercial indices are influenced by changes in
catchability. Improvements in fishing technology, changes in fishing gear, and
in particular, fisher experience, can all affect commercial CPUE; it is possible
that experienced fishermen maintain high CPUE even during periods of stock
decline. Such a phenomenon could, for instance, explain why decreases in
MEDITS biomass indices recorded for Mullus spp. seem to appear in
commercial CPUE trends with a time lag.
A. foliacea
0.24
1.00
(kg/kW*Fishing Days)
0.20
0.80
Biomass Index
0.16
CPUE
(kg/km2)
0.60
0.12
0.40
0.08
0.20
0.04
CPUE
Medits BI
0.00
0.00
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year
Figure 40: Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for giant
red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery
for the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass indices recorded during
annual scientific surveys for the period 2006-2011. Both indices are shown for
data from the 25 NM FMZ only.
P. longirostris .
0.20
3.50
(kg/kW*Fishing Days)
3.00
CPUE
Medits BI
0.16
Biomass Index
2.50
CPUE
(kg/km2)
0.12
2.00
1.50
0.08
1.00
0.04
0.50
0.00
0.00
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year
Figure 41: Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for pink
shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for
the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass indices recorded during
annual scientific surveys for the period 2006-2011. Both indices are shown for
data from the 25 NM FMZ only.
M. merluccius
0.30
5.0
(kg/kW*Fishing Days)
0.25
CPUE
Medits BI
4.0
Biomass Index
0.20
CPUE
(kg/km2)
3.0
0.15
2.0
0.10
1.0
0.05
0.00
0.0
Year
Figure 42: Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) for hake
(Merluccius merluccius) recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for the period
2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass indices recorded during annual scientific
surveys for the period 2006-2011. Both indices are shown for data from the 25
NM FMZ only.
Mullus spp.
0.16
3.50
(kg/kW*Fishing Days)
3.00
0.12
Biomass Index
2.50
CPUE
(kg/km2)
2.00
0.08
1.50
1.00
0.04
CPUE
Medits BI
0.50
0.00
0.00
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year
Figure 43: Trends in catch per unit effort (as kg/kW*Fishing Days) red mullet
and striped red mullet (Mullus spp.) recorded in the Maltese trawl fishery for
the period 2006-2011, and in MEDITS biomass indices recorded during
annual scientific surveys for the period 2006-2011. Both indices are shown for
data from the 25 NM FMZ only.
3. Biological characteristics of the main species caught
A brief description of the main target species distribution has been included in
Table 33: Species distribution of targeted species below, while Table 34
Maximum age, maturity and spawning season of targeted species depicts
information on the targeted species’ age, maturity and spawning season. The
information provided in the table has been gathered from several different
literature reviews since such information is not available for the Maltese
waters.
Table 33: Species distribution of targeted species
Species distribution
Vernacular
Spawning/
Scientific name
Geographical
Bathymetric
name
Species habitat
Nursery
Distribution
distribution
site
Aristaeomorpha
Giant red
Atlantic, the
Benthopelagic,
61 - 1300 m
N/A
shrimp
Mediterranean
Lives
on
Moves
to
and
Indo-
bottom
mud
midwater at
Pacific. [3]
and also on
night [4]
sandy
bottoms.[3]
Mullus barbatus
Red mullet
Eastern
Found
on
10-300 m [6]
eggs and
Atlantic,
gravel,
sand
larvae are
Mediterranean
and
mud
pelagic [5]
and
Black
bottoms of the
Sea. [5]
continental
shelf. [6]
Red striped
Eastern
Occurs
on
5-60 m [6]
eggs and
surmuletus
mullet
Atlantic,
rough grounds
larvae are
Mediterranean
but also found
pelagic [5]
and
Black
over sand and
Sea.[5]
soft bottoms at
depths
less
than 100 m. [6]
Parapenaeus
Pink shrimp
Atlantic and
Bottom mud or
Depth 20 to
eggs and
longirostris
Mediterranean
muddy sand.
700 m [7]
larvae are
Sea [7]
[7]
pelagic [5]
Merluccius
Hake
Eastern
Adults
live
Found
N/A
merluccius
Atlantic,
close to the
usually
Mediterranean
bottom during
between 70
and Black sea
day-time, but
and 370 m
[8]
move
off-
depth [8]
bottom
at
night. [8]
Table 34: Maximum age, maturity and spawning season of targeted species
Species
Max Age
Maturity (L 50 )
Spawning Season
Giant red shrimp
N/A
(CL50)
was
Females
start
estimated 42 mm
maturing in March,
for females, and 26
reaching a peak
mm for males. [9]
between July and
CL = carapace
September [10]
length
Red mullet
N/A
L m 11.1 cm [11]
late spring and
summer
(May,
June, July) [11]
Red striped mullet
10 yrs [12]
L m 16.0 [6]
May – July [5]
Pink shrimp
N/A
9.7 cm [13]
Spawns throughout
the year peaking in
December, April-
May
and
September-October
[13]
20 yrs [8]
42.8 cm [8]
January to May,
peaking in February
and
May,
(Tyrrhenian
Sea)
August
to
December, peaking
in September and
December. (Catalan
Sea) [14]
3.1
Stock assessments
Stock assessments are available for the following species exploited by bottom
otter trawlers in the Strait of Sicily: giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha
foliacea), thornback skate (Raja clavata), red mullet (Mullus barbatus),
common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus), black bellied anglerfish (Lophius
budegassa), pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) and hake (Merluccius
merluccius). The assessment of thornback skate was classed as preliminary
due to the limited time series of data available.
The biological reference points used for all three assessments were F cur and
F 0.1 . F cur refers to the present fishing mortality, and F 0.1 refers to the target
fishing mortality taking into account the precautionary principle. Using F 0.1 as
a target reference point, all of the assessed stocks were overexploited.
However, when taking into account the Maltese share of total landings
(composed of vessels fishing both within and outside the Malta FMZ) made in
the Central Mediterranean (see Table 35: Results of stock assessments
conducted in 2011 and 2012; Fcur = current fishing mortality (F).) it is clear
that any decision to reduce fishing effort needs to be taken together with the
political authorities of neighbouring jurisdictions which are also targeting
these shared stocks. In fact the Commission’s Scientific, Technical and
Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) advisory body when evaluating
the previous draft version of the Maltese fisheries management system for
trawl nets, boat seines, and surrounding nets within Maltese territorial waters
as per Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) 1967/2006, stated that it is
impossible to ‘identify actions that the MP can carry out unilaterally’ since
‘the resources are shared with other countries’ and that the ‘current status of
the stocks depend few on the activity of the Maltese fleet’.
Table 35: Results of stock assessments conducted in 2011 and 2012; Fcur =
current fishing mortality (F).
Maltese Share
Scientific
F cur
F 0.1
English Name
Stock Status
of 2010
Name
Landings (%)
Pink shrimp
P. longirostris
1.20
0.92
Overexploited
0.07
M. merluccius
0.60
0.1
Overexploited
0.23
2.04 **
Giant red shrimp
A. foliacea
1.09
0.42
Overexploited
Red mullet
M. barbatus
1.3
0.45
Overexploited
3.6 **
4.8 **
Common Pandora
P. erythrinus
0.72
0.30
Overexploited
bellied
1.6 **
L. budegassa
0.3
0.16
Overexploited
* Preliminary assessment; ** Excluding Tunisian landings.
In addition it is impossible for Malta to carry out stock assessments
unilaterally for stocks shared with other countries: attempting a stock
assessment for species with a data set which is only representative of < 5% of
the catch is not feasible from a scientific point of view.
Moreover, Malta calculated the ratio between F estimated and F target for the
demersal species which were subject to a stock assessment at GFCM /
SGMED in 2011: pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), giant red shrimp
(Aristaeomorpha foliacea), hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Common
Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus). In the absence of officially updated calculation
guidelines, the indicators were based on the proposal made at the STECF
meeting SGBRE 10 01. Instead of recording the proportion of the MS quota,
the proportion of the MS catch on the total catch of the stock was recorded.
The target F used in the calculations was F 0.1 , which was the target F
calculated in the stock assessments and which is considered to be a
conservative proxy for F MSY .
Table 36: Ratio between F estimated and F target (F/Ft) for the Maltese bottom
otter trawl (OTB) fleet in 2011.
Giant
All other
Pink
Common
Red
Hake
species and
Shrimp
Pandora
Shrimp
total
Catch in Fleet segment
7.3
27.4
7.11
Unknown
Total catch of the stock
1341.3
319.08
Unknown
for all the countries
Current
F
(Stock
1.2
1.09
0.6
0.72
Unknown
assessment)
Current F applied to fleet
0.001
0.022
0.002
0.016
Unknown
segment
F
(stock
0.92
0.42
0.1
0.36
Unknown
assessment)
Quota of the Member
0.1%
2%
0.3%
6.3%
Unknown
Target F split according
0.0002
0.001
0.008
0.02268
Unknown
to Member State quota
F/Ft for species in the
1.41
2.60
5.92
0.71
Unknown
fleet segment
Catch composition of
75%(of
3.80%
14.70%
3.20%
3.80%
fleet segment
100%)
F/Ft weigthed by catch
composition of assessed
0.21
1.53
0.76
0.11
Unknown
Sum of all weighted F/Ft
2.61
2.61
2.61
2.61
Unknown
for the fleet segment
Weight for each stock
0.15
0.57
0.13
0.15
Unknown
F/Ftarget multiplied by
0.03
0.88
0.10
0.02
Unknown
Weight for each stock
Biological indicator
(sum of all weighted F/
1.02
Percentage
of
fleet
segment catch used for
25%
F/Ft calculation
The above table shows that Malta is fishing the pink shrimp at F 0.1 , below F 0.1
for the common pandora, while the fleet is overexploiting stocks above F 0.1
levels both for the giant red shrimp and hake.
Table 35 also indicates that taking into account regional catch data when
available (no total landings data was available from Tunisian vessels for giant
red shrimp and common Pandora), the ratio between F estimated and F target (F/
F t ) is one. This ratio indicates whether the individual fleet segment is catching
more fish than would be expected under desirable fishing mortality rates from
the entire national fleet. This value verges in between green and yellow in a
traffic light system approach, since values larger than one are attributed a
yellow colour. Nevertheless, these results can only be viewed in the light that
due to the fishery being characterised by a high species diversity and that
insufficient data is available for some of the non-prominent species to carry
out analytical stock assessments, stock assessment results were only available
for 25% of the fleet segment.
4. Environmental Impacts
4.1
Impact on Marine Habitats
A map showing bottom types and habitats overlying trawling areas (Figure
44) was compiled using currently available data and literature. This was
carried out in order to analyse the impact of trawling on sensitive habitats
within the Malta 25 NM FMZ.
Figure 44: Map showing the available information about the presence of
sensitive habitats within the Malta FMZ, areas where trawling is authorised as
per Annex V of Council Regulation 1967/2006/EC (marked as ‘Authorised
trawling zones’), trawling zones as amended trawling zones’).
Figure 44 indicates that the most predominant bottom type around the Maltese
Islands is silt varying in size from medium to very coarse. Parts of the coasts
of the Islands are characterized by the presence of Posidonia oceanica (in
green), with its distribution extending up to depths where light is available.
Live deep water corals Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora oculata and
Desmophyllum dianthus were recorded in seven different locations within the
FMZ [15-17]. The first two coral species, which although common as fossils
or sub-fossils where until recently considered all but extinct from the
Mediterranean, are together considered as reef building [15].
The presence of rhodoliths (in red dots) was recorded in two areas around the
Islands: southeast of Malta between 3 NM and 17 NM off the coast and
northeast to the Maltese Island with a maerl bed ca. 10 nautical miles long and
between 1 and 3 nautical miles wide [18]. Whilst the maerl bed located to the
NE of Malta has been mapped in detail [18], data on the precise boundary of
the maerl bed to the SE of Malta is lacking. [19] provide any information
about the methodology used in order to deduce the boundary of both maerl
beds. It is thought that the boundaries presented in [19] are rough
extrapolations of several points where maerl nodules have been recorded.
Zones C and G (parts of) as referred to in Annex V of Council Regulation
1967/2006/EC were found to be overlapping with maerl beds. In order to
address this situation, the trawl zones were amended and all areas where
conclusive evidence exists for the presence of maerl beds were closed to
trawling in 2012.
4.2
Impact on Coastal Resources
Due to the impacts of trawling, it is advisable that such an activity is
performed away from the coast. This zone, being under the direct influence of
many physical processes and also much affected by human activities is
continuously exposed to pressures.
This is especially true in the
Mediterranean sea where the vast majority of the fishing activities are
concentrated along the continental shelf, resulting in serious concerns about
overfishing of the shelf-associated resources [20]).
Since the Maltese Islands do not boast of a broad continental shelf it is
important to protect shelf resources. [20] found that in Greece, a large part of
the population of several commercially important species (e.g. Mullus
barbatus, Pagellus erythrinus and Octopus vulgaris) (over 50%) is found in
depths up to 100 m, indicating that shallow waters of the continental zone are
very important for fisheries targeting these species. Similar results were
found for Mullus surmuletus [21] and O. vulgaris [22] around the Maltese
Islands.
The authorised trawling zones as per Annex V of Council Regulation 1967/
2006/EC) include areas which are either totally (zones A, B, D) or partially
(zones C and E) found within 3 NM from the coast.
Permitting trawling within the 3 NM is surely having an impact on the Maltese
artisanal fleet, whose activity is mainly coastal and whose catches depend on
shelf productivity. It is advisable that such zones are removed from the 3 NM
boundary such that coastal resources are protected from trawling activities and
priority given to artisanal fisheries. This area, especially shallower parts, is
very important for these fishers since small boats are not able to travel long
distances. This area is also more productive when compared to deeper waters
and provides much of the fish upon which the artisanal fleet depends. It is
recognised that on an individual unit basis, artisanal fishing gear, which in
some cases is quite selective and passive, may have limited impacts on the
ecosystem [23].
4.3
By-Catch and Discards
In order of decreasing importance the following discarded species were
recorded in significant amounts (more than 1% of recorded discards) during
2011 on-board observations of Maltese bottom otter trawlers, irrespective of
whether they trawl inside or outside the FMZ: blackmouth catshark (Galeus
melastomus), greater forkbeard (Physis blennoides), small-spotted catshark
(Scyliorhinus canicula), deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris),
giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), four spotted megrim
(Lepidorhombus boscii), velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax),
Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), hake (Merluccius merluccius),
blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus), thornback ray (Raja clavata),
longnosed skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus), rabbit fish (Chimaera monstrosa),
several species of grenadier (Hymenocephalus italicus, Nezumia
sclerorhynchus, Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus), argentines (Argentina
sphyraena,
Glossanodon leioglossus) and shortnose greeneye
(Chlorophthalmus agassizi).
Average length frequency distributions of discards from all of the Maltese
trawling fleet measured in 2009-2011 are displayed in Figure 45. The red line
in the first and last two graphs indicates minimum landing size as per Council
Regulation 1967/2006/EC respectively. This data pictures the situation prior
to the adoption of the 40 mm square or 50 mm diamond mesh size at cod-end.
Thus, a significant decrease in the volumes of discards following the change
in mesh size in the cod end of Maltese trawlers is expected. DCF data will be
analysed to monitor whether such a change has taken place once 2012 data
becomes available.
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF CERTAIN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
Merluccius merlucci us
Phycis b lennoides
10000
N Individuals Dis carded
N Indiv idual s Dis carded
Total Length (cm )
Total Length (cm )
Helicolenus dactylopterus
Lepidorhombus boscii
N Individuals Discarded
N Individuals Di scarded
Total Length (cm)
Total Length (cm )
Galeus melastomus
S cyliorhinus canicula
N Individuals Discarded
N Individuals D iscarded
Total Length (cm )
Total Length (cm)
Aristaeomorpha foliacea
P arapenaeus longirostris
10000
12000
N Indi viduals Dis carded
N Individuals Di scarded
Carapace Length (mm )
Carapace Length (mm )
Nephrops norvegicus
N Individuals Dis carded
Carapace Length (m m)
Figure 45: Average length frequency distributions of discards measured for
the whole Maltese trawling fleet in 2009-2011; red line indicates minimum
landing size as per Council Regulation 1967/2006/EC where applicable.
5. Socio-Economic Characteristics of Fishery
5.1
Capacity utilization
A technical indicator was calculated in order to estimate the ratio between the
maximum effort that could in theory have been exerted by Maltese bottom
otter trawling fleet and the effort which was in fact deployed. The indicator
was calculated by taking the ratio between the average effort per vessel in the
bottom otter trawl fleet segment and the observed maximum effort actually
expended by a vessel in the segment in the reference year as recommended in
the report of STECF meeting SGBRE 10 01. The calculation was carried out
in both kW*days at sea and in GT*days at sea in order to take into account
different vessel characteristics, in particular the fact that trawl vessels with
larger engines have greater catches than those with small engines.
Capacity utilisation was estimated in reference to the maximum number of
days fished. Table 36 shows the aggregated data used to calculate the technical
indicator. The results (Table 38) show that overall between the years 2007 and
2011, capacity utilisation has increased.
Table 37: Data used to calculate fleet capacity indicator for the Maltese trawl
fleet
.
Average of
Average of
Average of
Average of
Averag
Max.
kW* days at
Max KW*
GT* days at
Max GT*
e days
Days
sea
days at sea
sea
days at sea
17107
62464
15199
30414
93451
23123
29718
97558
22870
22918
74950
18068
31089
64099
16305
Table 38: Summary of the technical indicator for the Maltese trawl fleet.
Capacity Utilisation (days)
0.31
0.29
0.28
0.29
0.44
Capacity Utilisation (Kw*days)
0.27
0.33
0.30
0.31
0.49
Capacity Utilisation (GT*days)
0.32
0.38
0.34
0.33
0.48
Figure 46: Ratio between actual per vessel effort deployed and maximum
effort (observed and theoretical) for the Maltese bottom otter trawl fleet in
2006-2011.
The difference between the calculated indicator value and 1 indicates the
technical under utilisation of the vessels. In the technological-economic
approach that was adopted by FAO, full CU represents full capacity and its
value is always less than or equal to one (CU<=1). If CU of one fleet is less
than one, it means that the fleet can increase the production with the present
state of capital or equipment or on other words that firm can raise the potential
production without paying more for new capital or equipment [24]. The
highest calculated indicator values were less than 0.5, indicating under
utilisation of the fleet.
5.1.1
Economic performance of the trawl fleet
The economic performance of the trawl fleet is based on a set of variables and
indicators which were calculated using the economic data collected annually
for the purpose of the EU Data Collection Programme by means of a sample
survey. Data collected is then extrapolated to the whole population to derive
final estimates.
The sampling frame for the collection of economic data is based on the fishing
vessel register information. The population is defined as the commercial
Maltese fishing fleet which includes the entire full-time commercial (MFA)
and part-time commercial (MFB) vessels fishing within the Malta FMZ. Both
inactive and active vessels were considered.
The different regulations upon which the National data collection was based
that is, DCR (Data Collection Regulation) and DCF (Data Collection
Framework) introduce differences in the type of data collected and
consequently the variables available. Data collected for the reference years
2006 and 2007 is based on the DCR, while data collected for the reference
years between 2008 and 2011 is based on the DCF. Table 39 includes the
values for the economic variables and indicators for the years 2006-2011. A
detailed description of the sampling approach used to collect economic
variables is given in Annex 3.
Table 39: Values for the economic variables and indicators for the trawl fleet,
years 2007-2011. For definitions of the variables and indicators used refer to
Annex 3 – Economic variables.
Trawlers
Economic
Variables
Gross Value of
EURO
1,383,832
1,376,697
1,408,049
1,329,371
1,636,296
landings
Other income
EURO
N/A
Total income
EURO
1,383,832
1,376,697
1,408,049
1,329,371
1,636,296
Energy costs
EURO
688,903
730,059
407,232
658,610
634,292
Repair and
EURO
122,992
183,708
152,105
97,236
89,363
maintenance costs
Variable costs
EURO
286,927
485,937
71,247
278,321
500,044
Non-variable
EURO
41,089
63,740
12,780
183,827
571,047
Total costs
EURO
1,139,911
1,463,444
643,364
1,217,994
1,794,746
Economic
Performance
Indicators
Operating Cash
EURO
16,926
-590,608
586,101
-215,031
-968,258
Flow (OCF)
Social Variables
Wages and
EURO
226,994
503,862
178,584
326,409
809,808
salaries of staff
NUMBE
No. of employees
R
No. of FTE
NUMBE
N/A
National
R
The economic data collection survey is a process that is improved every year,
and since this table compares socio-economic variables over a number of
years, new modifications were applied wherever possible to the data of
previous years. The economic indicators above reflect the values of the
section of the trawling fleet that operates in the Fisheries Management Zone
(FMZ) only. This excludes larger vessels between 24 and 40 metres.
Economic indicators that are not directly related to the fishing gear in question
were removed for clarity.
The highest value for gross value of landings and total income was
experienced during the year 2011 with values amounting to €1,636,296 in both
cases. The lowest values were experienced during the year 2006 and amount
to €936,589. These values were procured from the market and direct sales data
as these have a higher probability of being accurate than the values given in
the economic survey.
Energy costs are on average the highest cost as a fraction of total costs. On
average, the lowest cost during the years is that of non-variable (fixed) costs,
except for 2010 and 2011 where the non-variable costs increased and the
repair and maintenance costs decreased slightly making them the lowest cost.
The cost for wages and salaries for the year 2011 is the highest. One may state
that a direct relationship between the cost of wages and salaries and the
number of employees is present as the number of employees is equal to 55
which is the highest number of employees in all the years. Owners and co-
owners are not part of this figure, therefore the workforce in terms of man
hours, whether they are considered to be employees or not, is higher.
In conclusion the best year in terms of operating cash flow (OCF) was the year
2009 as this is the year where the OCF was the highest amounting to
€586,101. 2011 was the worst year in terms of OCF, with a negative cash flow
of €968,258.
Annex 3 – Economic variables
•
Gross value of landings - turnover from the sales of landings.
•
Subsidies- include direct payments such as compensation for stopping
fishing or similar lump sum compensations. Excludes social benefit
payments and indirect subsidies for example; reduced duty on inputs such
as fuel.
Other income - other income earned apart from the sales of landings, for
example, tourist boat rides and recreational fishing.
Income from leasing out quota and other fishing rights – fishers may earn
income when selling quotas and fishing licences to other fishers.
Total income – summation of the gross value of landings, subsidies, other
income and income from leasing out quota and other fishing rights (where
applicable).
Energy cost (EnerCost) – fuel cost. Excludes lubrication oil.
Repair and maintenance costs (RepCost) – gross cost of maintenance and
repairs to the vessel and gear.
Variable costs – (VarCost) includes all purchased inputs (goods and
services) related to fishing effort and/or catch/landings.
Non-variable costs (NoVarCost) - includes purchased inputs not related to
effort and/or catch/landings.
Lease/rental payments for quota and other fishing rights (RightsCost) –
fishers may have bought additional/new quota and fishing rights.
Annual depreciation - cost of capital
Value of physical capital: depreciated historical value (TotDepHist) – value
of depreciated capital valued according to historic prices; that is how much
money was actually paid at the time when the asset was purchased.
Value of physical capital: depreciated replacement value (TotDepRep) -
value of depreciated capital valued according to current prices; that is how
much money is to be paid if the asset would have to be replaced at present.
Value of quota and other fishing rights – value of intangible assets.
Investments in physical capital – improvements to existing vessel or gear
during the reference year.
Debt – total value of debt during the reference year.
Wages and salaries of staff (CrewWageCost) – .remuneration for paid
work.
Imputed value or un-paid labour (UnpaidLab) – any labour which is not
paid for is included. The value could include the owner’s own labour as
well as that of other voluntary workers such as family members. This is
calculated by estimating the number of hours of un-paid work multiplied by
the average wage rate for the particular job done.
Number of employees – number of persons working for and paid by the
vessel.
Number of FTE (full-time equivalent) employees - full-time equivalent
(FTE) based on the national reference level for FTE working hours of the
crew members on board the vessel (excluding resting time) and the
working hours onshore. If the annual working hours per crew member
exceed the reference level, the FTE equals 1 per crew member. If not, the
FTE equals to the ratio between the hours worked and the reference level.
The reference level in the case of Malta is 40 hours per week.
Financial Position – debt-asset ratio.
Running cost – summation of energy costs, repair and maintenance costs,
variable costs and wages and salaries and lease/rental payments for quota
and other fishing rights (where applicable).
List of definitions and formulas – Indicators
Indicator
Definition
Year
Formula
Gross Value
Contribution to gross
2006-2007
Total
income
-
Added
national product
sum(EnerCost + RepCost +
(GVA)
(GNP),
VarCost +
Income minus all
NoVarCost)
expenses except
2008-2009
Total
income
–sum
crew cost
(EnerCost +
RepCost + VarCost +
NoVarCost +RightsCost)
Operating
Refers to the Gross
2006-2007
Total
income
-
Cash
Flow
Cash-Flow,
sum(EnerCost +
(OCF)
Income minus all
CrewWageCost + RepCost
operational costs,
+
excluding capital
VarCost + NoVarCost).
costs
2008-2009
Total income -
sum(EnerCost +
CrewWageCost + RepCost
+ VarCost +NoVarCost +
RightsCost).
Economic
Income minus all
2006-2007
Total
income
-
Profit/Loss
costs,
including
sum(EnerCost + RepCost +
capital costs (Annual
VarCost + NoVarcost +
depreciation cost, inte
CrewWageCost + DepCost)
rest cost is not
2008-2009
Total income-
applicable as the debt
sum(EnerCost
+
value is nil for all the
CrewWageCost
+
years)
UnpaidLab + RepCost
+ VarCost + NoVarCost +
RightsCost + DepCost)
on
Evaluates the
2006-2007
sum(Profit + Depcost) /
efficiency of
Investment
investment
in
2008-2009
Sum (Profit)+
tangible
sum(totDepRep)
assets (vessel and
* 'Country' Risk Free Bond
gear, not fishing
Rate) / sum(totDepRep)
rights)
NOTE: The ‘Country’Risk
Free Bond Rate was 3.53%
2010-2011
Sum (Profit)+
sum(totDepRep)
* 'Country' Risk Free Bond
Rate) / sum (totDepRep)
NOTE: The ‘Country’ Risk
Free Bond Rate was 3.75%
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Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Aristeidae) in the southern
tyrrhenian sea (western Mediterranean). 2010, National Research Council,
Institute of Coastal Marine Environment (CNR-IAMC),: Messina - Italy.
10. Belcari, P., et al., Fishery and biology of Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso,
1827)(Crustacea: Decapoda) in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea (western
Mediterranean). Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, 2003. 31
p. 195.
11. Haïdar, Z., L'oecologie du rouget (Mullus barbatus L.) en Adriatique
orientale. 1970: Institut za oceanografiju i ribarstvo, Acta Adriat., 14 (1): 1-
12. Muus, B.J., P. Dahlström, and F. Terofal, Meeresfische der Ostsee, der
Nordsee, des Atlantiks: in Farben abgebildet und beschrieben: Biologie,
Fang, wirtschaftliche Bedeutung. 1978: Blv Verlagsgesellschaft.
13. Bayhan, K., T. Ünlüer, and M. Akkaya, Some biological aspects of
Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846)(Crustacea, Decapoda) inhabiting
the Sea of Marmara. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci, 2005. 29: p. 853-856.
14. Recasens, L., V. Chiericoni, and P. Belcari, Spawning pattern and batch
fecundity of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758))
in the western Mediterranean. Scientia Marina, 2008. 72(4): p. 721-732.
15. Schembri, P.J., et al., Living deep-water Lophelia and Madrepora corals in
Maltese waters (Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea). Cahiers de biologie
marine, 2007. 48(1): p. 77-83.
16. Freiwald, A., et al., The White Coral Community in the Central
Mediterranean Sea Revealed by ROV surveys. Oceanography, 2009. 22(1)
p. 58-74.
17. Taviani, M., et al., Coralliophilinae (Gastropoda: Muricidae) associated
with deep-water coral banks in the Mediterranean. Nautilus, 2009. 123(3)
p. 106.
18. Sciberras, M., et al., Habitat structure and biological characteristics of a
maerl bed off the northeastern coast of the Maltese Islands (central
Mediterranean). Marine Biodiversity, 2009. 39(4): p. 251-264.
19. Dimech, M., et al. The potential of fisheries reserves as a tool for
biodiverisity conservation. The case of the the 25 Nautical Mile Fisheries
Management Zone around Malta. in European Symposium on Marine
Protected Areas as a Tool for Fisheries Management and Ecosystem
Conservation. Emerging science and interdisciplinary approaches. . 2007a.
20. Tserpes, G., T. Zanatos, and P. Peristeraki, Spatial management of the
Mediterranean bottom trawl fisheries: the case of the southern Aegean Sea.
Hydrobiologia, 2011. 670(1): p. 267 - 274.
21. Knittweis, L. and M. Dimech, Proposed Fishing Protected Area in
International Waters in MRRA-FCD, in Malta's Fisheries Management
Plan 2011-2015, F.C.D. Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, Editor.
2011.
22. Garofalo, G. and et al., Nurseries, spawning grounds and recruitment of
Octopus vulgaris in the Strait of Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea. ICES
Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil, 2010. 67(7): p. 1363 - 1371.
23. Sinclair, M. and etal., Responsible fisheries in the marine ecosystem.
Fisheries research, 2002. 58(3): p.255 - 265.
24. Tang, T.H., Measuring capacity and capacity utilization in small-scale
fisheries in Nha Trang, in The Norwegian College of Fishery Science 2011,
University of Tromso, Norway and Nha Trang University, Vietnam.
6 tunnellata fl-2008, i Ŝ da rkupraw g ħ al-524.2 tunnellata fl-2010.
Tabella 7 Karatteristi ë i tal-bastimenti li ë enzjati biex jipparte ë ipaw fis-sajd
tal-lampuki fl-2011.
Tul tal-
Numru ta’
Numru medju Numru totali
bastiment
TG medju
kW medju
bastimenti
tal-irmiāāi
tal-irmiāāi
(m)
Mil-banda l-o ħ ra, fit-Tune Ŝ ija madwar 260 bastiment ta’ daqs medju ta’ 11 m
u b’sa ħħ a tal-magna ta’ 45 hp huma involuti fis-sajd tal-lampuki, u kull
bastiment ju Ŝ a bejn 17 u 75 l-irmi āā , matul kull sta ā jun [12], dan meta
mqabbel ma 38 il-bastiment li kollettivament g ħ amlu w Ŝ u ta’ madwar 1150-
1500 l-irmi āā fil-g Ŝ ira ta’ Majorca fl-2009.
3. Dejta fuq l-isforz tas-sajd
Dejta fuq l-isforz hija attwalment disponibbli biss f’numru totali ta’
bastimenti li jipparte ë ipaw fis-sajd (li tinkludi dettalji b ħ al tul, TG, u kW tal-
magna tal-bastiment) kif ukoll fin-numru ta’ ë imi mitfug ħ ha. Mill-banda
l’o ħ ra, je Ŝ istu stimi tan-numru ta’ vja āā i effetwati f’sena g ħ al dan it-tip ta’
sajd, min ħ abba li bastimenti ta ħ t l-10 m ji ā u kampjonati b ħ ala parti mill-
ist ħ arri ā g ħ al-valutazzjoni tal-qbid), kif ukoll tat-total ta’ irmi āā i mi Ŝ jura g ħ al
kull vja āā ta’ sajd. In-numru ta’ rmi āā i mi Ŝ jura waqt kull vja āā jista’ jvarja
ħ afna, min ħ abba fatturi b ħ ad- daqs tal-bastiment, abbondanza ta’ ħ ut,
kundizzjonijiet ā enerali tat-temp [13] kif ukoll il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ ri ħ u
kurrenti, spe ë jalment meta dan ta’ l-a ħħ ar g ħ andu ifluen Ŝ a konsiderevoli fuq
il-probabbilta ta’ qabda [14].
3.2
TendenŜi fl-isforz totali
L-isforz annwali tas-sajd nominali tal-flotta bl-irmi āā i tal-lampuki f’termini
ta’ numru ta irmi āā i * numru ta’ vja āā i juri Ŝ ieda ā enerali waqt il-perjodu
2006-2011. Din it-tendenza hija primarjament min ħ abba Ŝ ieda mportanti fl-
isforz tas-sajd e Ŝ er ë itat fl-2011; l-isforz tas-sajd nominali tal-2011 Ŝ died
b’64% fuq is-sena ta’ qabel.
Saret anali Ŝ i ta’ rigressjoni linjari sabiex ti ā i identifikata t-tendenza fis-serje
ta’ dejta (Figura 6).
Ir-ri Ŝ ultati indikaw valur R 2 ta’ 0.69, li jikkonferma li t-tendenza ma kinitx
linjari min ħ abba varjazz Ŝ joni fid-dejta bejn is-snin.
200000
y = 27756x - 6E+07
R = 0.6875
150000
100000
50000
Year
Figura 6 Varjazzjoni temporali fl-isforz tas-sajd nominali, espress f’termini
ta’ numru ta’ irmi āā i * numru ta’ vja āā i tas-sajd g ħ al flotta bl-irmi āā i g ħ al-
perjodu 2006-2011, b’linja ta’ rigressjoni a āā ustata.
3.3
TendenŜi fl-isfroz fix-xahar
Il-varja ŜŜ joni fil-medja ta’ sforz nominali tas-sajd bejn ix-xhur tas-sena
f’termini ta numru ta’ irmi āā i * numru ta vja āā i tas-sajd mag ħ mula matul
sta ā un miftu ħ (bejn Awissu u Jannar tas-sena ta’ wara, fejn applikabbli) ā ew
analizzati (Figura 7). Ir-ri Ŝ ultati wrew Ŝ ieda fl-isforz tas-sajd waqt Awissu kif
ukoll valur massimu ta’ attivita f’Settembru u Ottubru. L-isforz medju tas-sajd
f’Novembru kien simili g ħ al dak li ā ie e Ŝ er ë itat f’Awissu, filwaqt li l-inqas
valuri ā ew re ā istrati f’Di ë embru u Jannar.
Tali informazzjoni hija importanti fir-rigward tal-bijolo ā ija ta’ l-ispe ë i. Dejta
dwar il-kompo Ŝ izzjoni tad-daqs (b ħ ala tul tal- ħ uta) tal-qabdiet tal-lampuki
f’Malta turi li l-i Ŝ g ħ ar individwi jinqabdu f'Awissu u Settembru ta’ kull sta ā un
tas-sajd, minkejja t-tkabbir mg ħ a āā el ta' l-ispe ë i. L-individwi li huma
sesswalment maturi ji ā u mistada biss minn Ottubru sa Jannar (Figura 16).
15000
(N FADs * N Trips)
(Thousands)
10000
Mean Effort
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Month
Figura 7 Sforz tas-sajd medju g ħ al kull xahar ( + /-1 SD ) g ħ all-flotta tas-sajd
bl-irmi āā i fl-2006-2011 ; l-unitajiet murija huma sforz b ħ ala numru ta’
irmi āā i * numru ta’ vja āā i tas-sajd
Il-mi Ŝ uri ta’ kontroll fuq il-qabda / l-isforz g ħ andhom jimmiraw lejn ix-xhur
ta’ Awissu u Settembru, meta l-isforzi tas-sajd (u g ħ alhekk il-livelli ta’
mortalità tas-sajd tal-istokk tal-lampuki perme ŜŜ tal-irmi āā i Maltin) huma l-
og ħ la. Dawn il-mi Ŝ uri jippermettu aktar individwi li jirriprodu ë u b'su ëë ess u
finalment se ji Ŝ guraw s-sostenibbiltà fit-tul tal-qabdiet.
4. Karatteristiëi bijoloāiëi ta’ l-ispeëijiet ewlenin maqbuda
Deskrizzjoni qasira tad-distribuzzjoni tal-ispe ë i ewlenija maqbuda b’dan it-tip
ta’ sajd ā iet inklu Ŝ a fit-Tabella 8 hawn ta ħ t, filwaqt li Tabella 9 turi
informazzjoni dwar l-età, il-maturità u l-ista ā un riproduttiv tal-istess spe ë i. L-
informazzjoni provduta fit-tabella ā iet mi ā bura mill-letteratura peress li din l-
informazzjoni mhijiex kollha disponibbli g ħ all-ilmijiet Maltin.
Tabella 8 Distribuzzjoni tal-ispe ë i ewlenin maqbuda waqt is-sajd bl-u Ŝ u tal-
irmi āā i tal-lampuki
Distribuzzjoni tal-ispeëi
Isem
Sit ta’
Firxa
Ħabitat tal-
Distribuzzjoni
Xjentifiku
Komuni
Riproduz-
Ispeëi
Batimetrika
Āeografika
zjoni
C. hippurus
Lampuka
Kosmopolita,
Epipelaāika,
Ilmijiet tal-wiëë
Baħar
fl-ilmijiet
iŜda tqorrob
u inqas minn
miftuħ meta
tropiëi
u
lejn il-kosta.
200m [16]
t-
subtropiëi [15]
Tināabar taħt
temperatura
oāāetti
tal-ilma
galleāāanti
tgħola [17]
biex
tfittex
kenn u ikel
[15]
Naucrates
Fanfru
Madwar
it-
Oceaniku
Fil-wiëë sa 30
Il-bajd
tropiëi fl-ibħra
b’relazzjoni
m [20]
huwa
tropiëi. [18]
kommensali
pelaāiku.
semi-
IŜ-Ŝgħar
obligatorja
jassoëjaw
mal-klieb il-
mal-bram u
baħar, rajjiet,
alka
tal-
ħutiet simili
wiëë [21]
oħra u fkieren
[19]
Aëëjola
Mad-dinja
Sikek
tal-
1 m - 360 m
Il-bajd
kollha [22]
baħar
fond;
[23]
huwa
kultant jidħlu
pelaāiku.
āo bajjiet mal-
IŜ-Ŝgħar
kosta [23]
jassoëjaw
mà pjanti
galleāāanti
jew debris.
[24]
Tabella 9 Età massima, maturità u sta ā un ta’ riproduzzjoni tal-ispe ë i ewlenin
maqbuda fis-sajd tal-lampuki bl-u Ŝ u tal-irmi āā i
Speci
Età massima
Maturità (L 50 )
Staāun ta’ Riproduzzjoni
Āunju
Lampuka
4 snin [25]
58.9 cm tul mid-denb
sa
Settembru
għall-individwi
(Mediterran tal-Punent u
êentrali) [27]
maskili u 62.5 cm tul
mid-denb
għall-
individwi feminili [26]
3 snin [28]
Mhux studjata
Probabilment staāun ta’
riproduzzjoni prolungat li
jibda minn kmieni fis-sajf
sa tard fil-ħarifa. [29]
17-il sena [30]
109.0 cm [31]
Il-quëëata
tar-
riproduzzjoni qrib il-
Florida tan-nofsinhar u l-
gŜejjer tagħha ntlaħqet
waqt April u Mejju [32]
5. Stat ta’ Konservazzjoni tal-Istokk
C. hippurus hija spe ë i epipelagika tal-o ë ean mag ħ rufa li tpassi distanzi
konsiderevoli. Sajd tradizzjonali g ħ all-lampuki fuq skala Ŝ g ħ ira jitwettaq fil-
Mediterran ê entrali (Sqallija, Malta, it-Tune Ŝ ija u il-Libja) u l-Mediterran tal-
Punent (il-G Ŝ ejjer Baleari ë i ). G ħ alkemm m'hemm l-ebda informazzjoni
dokumentata g ħ al oqsma o ħ ra fil-Mediterran huwa probabbli li s-sajjieda
arti ā janali Al ā erini, u possibbilment o ħ rajn, wkoll jistadu g ħ all-lampuki [33].
Is-sajd bl-irmi āā i jimmira l-individwi Ŝ - Ŝ g ħ ar (grupp ta’ età 0), minkejja l-fatt
li t-tul ta’ ħ ajja ta’ din l-ispe ë i ā iet stmata g ħ al erbà snin [34].
Informazzjoni dwar il-bijolo ā ija, mudelli migratorji u l-istruttura tal-
popolazzjoni hija limitata, u l-unika informazzjoni dwar l-istat ta’
konservazzjoni tal-istokk tal-lampuki tal-Mediterran hija evalwazzjoni tal-
istokk mwettqa g ħ all-Mediterran tal-Punent ibba Ŝ ata fuq dejta dipendenti mis-
sajd li tori ā ina millg Ŝ ira ta’ Mallorca [34]. L-awturi kkonkludew li l-frazzjoni
tal-popolazzjoni tal-lampuki li ti ā i sfruttata mis-sajjieda hija mag ħ mula minn
individwi fil-klassi ta’ età 0, u jissu āā erixxu li l-varjazzjonijiet fil-qbid minn
sena g ħ all-o ħ ra jistg ħ u jkunu relatati mà parametri ambjentali u l-im ā iba
migratorja tal-ispe ë i. Ā aladarba parti biss ta’ l-istokk ā iet ikkunsidrata fil-
valutazzjoni, din ta’ l-a ħħ ar ā iet ikkunsidrata biss b ħ ala preliminari.
Huwa probabbli ħ afna li s-sajjieda Taljani, Tune Ŝ ini, Maltin, Spanjoli u
Libjani qieg ħ din jistadu mill-istess stokk. Pla u Pujolar [35] u Ŝ aw elettroforesi
tal-proteini biex jistudjaw l-istruttura ā enetika tal-popolazzjoni tal-lampuki
fil-Mediterran u tal-Lvant tal-Atlantiku. Instabet varjabilità ā enetika
karatteristika ta’ spe ë i migratorji, u l-awturi jikkonkludu li huwa probabbli li
l-lampuki jiffurmaw popolazzjoni kbira m ħ allta madwar il-Mediterran.
Din il-konklu Ŝ joni kienet ikkonfermata fit-tieni studju mwettaq minn Zanuy u
Pla b ħ ala parti mill-pro ā ett COPEMED li evalwa kampjuni tal-lampuki minn
Malta u t-Tune Ŝ ija. [36].
Permezz ta’ appro ëë ibba Ŝ at fuq DNA tal- mitochondria , Diaz-James et al. [37]
ipprovdew evidenza g ħ all-e Ŝ istenza ta’ gruppi filo ā eni separati fil-Mediterran.
Kampjuni ta’ lampuki me ħ uda mill-Mediterran nstabu li huma differenti
b'mod sinifikanti minn dawk me ħ uda fl-Atlantiku tal-Grigal. Barra minn hekk,
il-kampjuni tal-Mediterran urew livell baxx ta’ diversità ā enetika. Dan
jimplika li minkejja l-konnessjoni bejn il-Mediterran u l-Atlantiku permezz
tal-Istrett ta’ Ā ibiltà, il-popolazzjoni fil-mira tas-sajjieda fil-Mediterran hija
separata minn dik misjuba fl-Atlantiku. Diaz-James et al. [37] jipproponu li
dan jistà jkun min ħ abba l-fatt li l-popolazzjoni tal-Mediterran kienet i Ŝ olata
g ħ al perjodi twal ta’ Ŝ mien matul perjodi gla ë jali su ëë essivi fejn il-livell tal-
ba ħ ar fil-Mediterran naqas u l-ilmijiet tieg ħ u ā ew sseparati minn dawk tal-
Atlantiku. Dawn il-perjodi ta’ i Ŝ olament kienu kkaratterizzati minn tnaqqis
fil-popolazzjoni ta’ lampuki residenti fil-Mediterran u jispjegaw l-grad g ħ oli
ta’ omo ā eneità misjuba bejn l-individwi madwar il-Mediterran.
Rabta qawwija bejn il-fatturi ambjentali u s-sopravivenza tal-larvi ā iet
investigata fi studji minn Alemany et al. [38], Kraul [39], Sabates et al. [40], u
Sabates flimkien ma’ Saiz [41]. Is-sopravivenza tal-larvi tidher marbuta ma’
Ŝ oni kkaratterizzati minn fronti marini fejn hemm kurrenti b'densitajiet
differenti u temperaturi tal-ilma sodisfa ë enti. F'dawn Ŝ - Ŝ oni jse ħħ ta ħ lit tal-
ilmijiet lejn il-fond ( downwelling ), li jservi biex id- debris u l- plankton
jikkon ë entraw u ji Ŝ gura provvista lesta ta’ ikel u kenn g ħ all-larvi. Is-
sopravivenza hija wkoll dipendenti fuq kurrenti anti ë ikluni ë i li jiffavorixxu Ŝ -
Ŝ amma ta’ larvi f' Ŝ oni determinati, temperaturi l-fuq minn 16-18°C, u
stratifikazzjoni tal-ba ħ ar li wkoll tikkon ë entra il- plankton fl-ilmijiet tal-wi ëë .
Il-popolazzjoni tal-Mediterran tal- Coryphaena hippurus tbid bejn Ā unju u
Settembru fil-g Ŝ ejjer Baleari ë i. Dan ir-re ā jun ja ā ixxi b ħ ala sit riproduttiv
importanti g ħ al ħ afna mill- ħ ut pela ā i ë i kbar li jg ħ ixu fil-Mediterran.
Progressjoni matul ix-xhur fl-istadji ta’ maturità u l-indi ë i gonadosomati ë i
f’kampjuni ta’ ħ ut adult anali ŜŜ at mill-Mediterran punent u ë entrali, juru
perjodu riproduttiv minn Ā unju sa Settembru [42]. Ā iet su āā erita l-esistenza
ta’ fa Ŝ i migratorja qabel l-istadju riproduttiv tal-lampuki adulti u maturi fil-
Mediterran mill-Atlantiku, simili g ħ al passa āā i migratorji tat-tonn ( Thunnus
thynnus ) [42]. L-adulti jori ā inaw minn riproduzzjoni differenti u g ħ andhom
mill-inqas sena eta. Il-qu ëë ata tal-ista ā un riproduttiv tintla ħ aq f' Ā unju u Lulju.
F’dan i Ŝ - Ŝ mien jori ā ina l- ħ ut maqbud mis-sajd tradizzjonali bejn Awwissu u
Di ë embru [42]. Il-qbid ta’ lampuki Ŝ g ħ ar mill-Mediterran tal-Punent f' Ā unju
jaqbel ma Ŝ - Ŝ mien bejn Ā unju u Lulju propost b ħ ala l-qu ëë ata riproduttiva fil-
Mediterran.
Matul is-sajf, id-dinamika tal-mases tal-ilma tal-wi ëë fir-re ā jun Baleariku hija
prin ë ipalment kkundizzjonata mill-interazzjoni bejn l-Ilmijiet tal-Wi ëë tal-
Mediterran, li ji ëë aqalqu g ħ an-nofsinhar mit-tramuntana tal-Mediterran tal-
punent, u Ilmijiet Modifikati tal-Atlantiku, li jirri Ŝ ultaw mit-tramuntana tal-
Ba ë in Al ā erin. Dan iwassal g ħ al sitwazzjoni idrografika kumplessa b’kurrenti
qawwija fil-ba ħ ar miftu ħ il-bog ħ od mill-ixkaffa kontinentali, fronti, u vorti ë i
pre Ŝ enti fi Ŝ - Ŝ ona [47]. Matul is-sajf, l-istratifikazzjoni u t-temperaturi tal-ilma
tal-wi ëë ji Ŝ diedu, filwaqt li s-salinità tonqos min ħ abba li jifforma saff ta’ Ilma
Modifikat tal-Atlantiku fuq l-Ilma tal-Wi ëë tal-Mediterran, min ħ abba li dan
tal-a ħħ ar huwa aktar dens u jin Ŝ el l-isfel [38]. Il-larvi g ħ andhom tendenza li
jikkon ë entraw fuq l-ixkaffa kontinentali fejn m'hemmx kurrenti qawwija u ë -
ë irkolazzjoni hija anti ë iklunika u tiffavorixxi r-ritenzjoni tal-larvi fil-post. L-
ilmijiet tal-wi ëë huma m ħ allta sew u ji Ŝ guraw li l-plankton huwa mqassam
b'mod uniformi [40].
Sejbiet simili saru g ħ all lampuki fl-ilmijiet madwar il-Hawaii [39]. Il-lampuki
huma partikolarment abbundanti matul ix-xhur tas-sajf min ħ abba s-
sopravivenza favorevoli tal-larvi tal-bajd depo Ŝ itat madwar Lulju. Id-dejta
dwar il-qabda g ħ all-kull unita ta’ sforz turi li l-qabdiet massimi huma
rre ā istrati fil-vi ë inanzi ta’ Ŝ ona fejn il-kurrenti ekwatorjali jiltaqaw mal-
kurrenti kes ħ in tat-tramuntana.
Il-fenomenu mag ħ ruf b ħ ala meridjonalizzazzjoni wassal g ħ all-lampuka biex
testendi l-firxa tag ħ ha lejn t-tramuntana f’ba ë iri tal-ba ħ ar differenti.
Estensjonijet kbar ā ew osservati fil-Mediterran [43], u fil-Pa ë ifiku [44].
Sabiex ji ā i evalwat b'mod affidabbli l-istat tal-poplazzjoni tal-lampuki, hija
me ħ tie ā a kollaborazzjoni re ā jonali dwar il- ā bir u l-anali Ŝ i tad-dejta. Fin-
nuqqas ta’ tali evalwazzjoni tal-istokk re ā jonali, id-dejta disponibbli dwar l-
i Ŝ barki kollha fil-Mediterran u il-parametri tal-istokk mkejla fil-G Ŝ ejjer
Maltin mill-2006 huma ppre Ŝ entati fil-bqija tat-Taqsima 5 hawn ta ħ t.
5.1
Tendenzi fil-qabdiet reājonali
Figura 8 Evoluzzjoni tal-i Ŝ bark totali tal-lampuki fil-Mediterran fil-perjodu
1970-2010 (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
Is-sajd tal-lampuki bl-u Ŝ u tal-irmi āā i kien sajd fi stadju ta’ Ŝ vilupp fil-
Mediterran matul l-a ħħ ar 4 de ë enji. Ibba Ŝ at fuq dejta disponibbli mill-GFCM
Capture Production Database, il- ħ att totali ta’ lampuki fil-Mediterran
ammonta g ħ al medja ta’ madwar 376 t fl-1970, u Ŝ died g ħ al medja ta’ 556 t fl-
1980 u 793 t fl-1990. L-i Ŝ barki kollha komplew ji Ŝ diedu matul is-snin 2000
(b'medja ta’ 2,544 t), spe ë jalment matul l-a ħħ ar ftit snin (il-qbid totali medja
bejn l-2006 u l-2010 huwa 4015 t). Dan ifisser li l- ħ att l-art ta’ lampuki fil-
Mediterran Ŝ died mill-inqas g ħ al g ħ axar darbiet matul perjodu ta’ erbg ħ in
sena.
Ibba Ŝ at fuq l-istess dejta, bidliet fil-mudell ta’ sfruttament ta’ din l-ispe ë i
skond il-pajji Ŝ jistà ji ā i analizzat (Tabella 10). Matul l-1970 l-ispe ë i kienet
prin ë ipalment sfruttata minn Malta bi ftit Ŝ barki mit-Tune Ŝ ija, bl-ebda Ŝ barki
ta’ lampuki rre ā istrati minn pajji Ŝ i o ħ ra matul l-istess perjodu. L-istess mudell
jistà ji ā i osservat matul il-snin 1980 u 1990, b’ Ŝ ieda fl-interess fl-ispe ë i mit-
Tune Ŝ ija, li kienet l-isfruttatur prin ë ipali ta’ din l-ispe ë i fl-1990. Interess minn
pajji Ŝ i o ħ ra, l-aktar l-Italja u Spanja bdew ji ā u rre ā istrati matul is-snin 2000,
f'liema punt l-i Ŝ barki tag ħ hom qab Ŝ u dawk tal-G Ŝ ejjer Maltin. L-akbar bidla
fl-isfruttament ta’ din ir-ri Ŝ orsa se ħħ matul l-a ħħ ar 5 snin ta’ dan il-perjodu.
Filwaqt li bejn l-2001 u l-2005 l-i Ŝ barki medji tal-Lampuki fil-Mediterran ā ew
attribwiti 63% lit-Tuni Ŝ ija, 26% lil Malta u 11% lil Spanja, fuq medja bejn l-
2006 u l-2010 l-Italja kienet responsabbli g ħ all 56%, it-Tune Ŝ ija g ħ al 26%,
Malta g ħ al 10%, Spanja g ħ al 4% u l-Libja g ħ al 4% tal- ħ att l-art. Huwa
evidenti li Malta g ħ andha storja twila ta’ sajd tal-lampuki, u jidher ukoll li
huwa l-uniku pajji Ŝ li ma Ŝ iedx il- ħ att totali tieg ħ u tal-Lampuki matul l-a ħħ ar
g ħ axar snin. L-i Ŝ barki Taljani min-na ħ a l-o ħ ra Ŝ diedu drammatikament mill-
2005; l-i Ŝ barki Tune Ŝ ini u Spanjoli Ŝ died b'mod stabbli mis-snin 1980 u l-
1990 rispettivament, u s-sajjieda Libjani g ħ all-ewwel darba rre ā istraw l-istess
qabdiet ta’ lampuki b ħ al Malta fl-2009.
Filwaqt li d-dejta x'aktarx tag ħ ti indikazzjoni affidabbli tat-tendenza tal-
i Ŝ barki, rapporti iktar antiki ta’ Ŝ barki ta’ lampuki maqbuda mill-flotta Sqallila
je Ŝ istu minkejja n-nuqqas ta’ dejta mill-Italja qabel l-2005. Skond Cannizzaro
[45] madwar 300 bastiment Sqalli, 200 bastiment Tune Ŝ in u 50 bastiment
arti ā janal ta’ Majorka kienu jistadu g ħ all-lampuki fis-snin 1990.
Tabella 10 Kontribuzzjoni per ë entwali medja tal- ħ att l-art ta’ Lampuki skond
il-pajji Ŝ mill-1970 'il quddiem (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
PajjiŜ
Kontribuzzjoni perëentwali medja tal-ħatt l-art ta’ Lampuki
1970-1979
1980-1989
1990-1999
2000-2009
2001-2005
2006-2010
Tune Ŝ ija
Figura 9 Evoluzzjoni tal-i Ŝ barki ta’ lampuki minn pajji Ŝ i Mediterranji differenti
fil-perjodu 1970-2010 (GFCM Capture Production 1970-2010).
5.2
It-tendenŜi fil-qabdiet Maltin
Id-dejta tal-i Ŝ barki totali tas-sajd tradizzjonali Malti tal-lampuki ilha ti ā i
rre ā istrata mill-1954. L-i Ŝ barki totali tal-lampuki jvarjaw madwar medja ta’
350 t kull sena mill-1954. L-ebda xejra ta’ Ŝ ieda jew nuqqas fl-ammont ta’ ħ ut
Ŝ barkat ma tistà ti ā i ndikata. Il-varjazzjonijiet fil-qabdiet totali x'aktarx li
huma dovuti g ħ all-impatti tal-varjazzjonijiet ambjentali kif ukoll l-im ā iba
migratorja tal- C. hippurus . Lleonart et al . [34] rre ā istra xejra simili u
ssu āā erixxa li dawn i Ŝ - Ŝ ew ā fatturi relatati jiistaw jirri Ŝ ultaw f’fallimenti fir-
rekluta āā u fir-riproduzzjoni fil-Mediterran tal-Punent. Il-varjazzjonijiet fir-
rekluta āā marbuta mal-varjazzjonijiet fil-kondizzjonijiet o ë eanografi ë i u
aktarx li huma l-aktar fatturi importanti li jaffetwaw l-g ħ add ta’ individwi
Ŝ g ħ ar disponibbli g ħ as-sajjieda, minflok il-bijomassa tal-parti tal-istokk fi
stadju riproduttiv [46].
Fin-nuqqas ta’ dejta tal-isforz g ħ as-serje storika ta’ Ŝ mien, fattur ie ħ or li setà
kkaw Ŝ a ë aqliq fl-i Ŝ barki kollha hija il-kondizzjoni tat-temp matul l-ista ā un
tas-sajd tal-lampuki; temp a ħ rax se jnaqqas l-g ħ add ta’ jiem ta’ sajd
disponibbli g ħ as-sajjieda.
Landings (t)
1954 1959 1964 1969
1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Figura 10 ś barki tal- C. hippurus fil-g Ŝ ejjer Maltin mill- 1954 (dejta storika
ta’ Malta).
Mean Landings (t)
Aug
Sep
O ct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Month
Figura 11 ś barki annwali medji (+/- 1 SD) g ħ all-flotta tal-lampuki li stadet
bl-irmi āā i fil-perjodu 2006-2011.
Anali Ŝ i tal-varjazzjonijiet ta’ kull xahar fl-i Ŝ barki medji matul il-perjodu
2006-2011 (Figura 11) urew livelli aktar baxxi ta’ Ŝ barki fix-xahar ta’ Awissu,
segwit minn Ŝ ew ā xhur ta’ ħ att l-art og ħ la f'Settembru-Ottubru qabel jonqsu
gradwalment f'Novembru. Di ë embru u Jannar biss ikkontribwiet 8 % tal- ħ att
l-art medju rre ā istrat fil 2006-2011. Dan il-mudell huwa simili g ħ all-mudell
ta’ sforz medju tas-sajd ta’ kull xahar e Ŝ er ë itat matul l-istess perjodu (Figura 7
hawn fuq), u jindika li l-varjazzjonijiet ta’ kull xahar fil-i Ŝ barki huma marbuta
mal-varjazzjonijiet fl-isforz tas-sajd. Q ë a ë et simili fit-tendenza ta’ Ŝ bark
f'Settembru u Ottubru ā ew identifikati g ħ all-G Ŝ ejjer Baleari ë i bba Ŝ ati fuq
dejta sta ā jonali mill-1987-1996 u 2004 [28, 34], u g ħ as-sajd Tune Ŝ in tal-
lampuki, fejn fl-ista ā uni tas-sajd tal-perjodu 1990-1997, 70 % tal- ħ att l-art
totali sar matul ix-xhur ta’ Settembru u Ottubru [12].
5.3
Qabda Għal Kull Unità ta’ Sforz
L-istimi dwar il-qabda g ħ al kull unità ta’ sforz (CPUE) jag ħ tu indi ë i relattivi
ta’ abbundanza tal-istokk; Ŝ ieda fil CPUE tistà ti ā i interpretata b ħ ala sinjal
po Ŝ ittiv li juri li l-ispe ë i g ħ adhom mhumiex so āā etti g ħ al sajd e ëë essiv.
Madankollu, bidliet inter-annwali fil CPUE jistg ħ u wkoll ji ā ru min ħ abba
bidliet fit-teknolo ā ija tas-sajd, abbundanza tal-istokk, min ħ abba l-
varjazzjonijiet naturali fil produttivita tal-popolazzjoni, u tibdil f’liema spe ë i
ji ā ul-mmirati mis-sajjieda. Je ħ tie ā li dawn l-aspetti kollha ji ā u kkunsidrati
meta ssir interpretazzjoni ta ë -CPUE b ħ ala indikatur tal-istokk. Barra minn
hekk, je ħ tie ā li ti ā i applikata kawtela partikolari fir-rigward ta’ stokkijiet
simili g ħ al C. hippurus li je Ŝ ibixxu varjazzjonijiet sinusojdali ma Ŝ - Ŝ mien
(Figura 10), spe ë jalment meta s-serje ta’ dejta CPUE kkunsidrata tkun
relattivament baxxa. F'ka Ŝ ijiet simili, sabiex id-dejta ta ë -CPUE tkun
sinjifikanti, is-serje tad-dejta g ħ andha tkopri ë ikli multipli, li jinkludu serje ta’
Ŝ idiet u tnaqqis.
Madankollu anali Ŝ i ta ë -CPUE twettqet g ħ al C. hippurus abba Ŝ i ta’ parametru
tal-isforz nominali; in-numru ta’ irmi āā i * Numru ta’ vja āā i tas-sajd.
Ir-Ri Ŝ ultati juru tendenza ta’ tnaqqis fi ë -CPUE g ħ as-sajd tal-lampuki bl-
irmi āā i fil-g Ŝ ejjer Maltin matul il-perjodu analizzat 2006-2011. Min ħ abba s-
serje ta’ Ŝ mien qasir disponibbli u l-varjazzjonijiet bejn sena u o ħ ra
konsiderevoli fi ë -CPUE, l-anali Ŝ i ta’ rigressjoni lineari tag ħ at valur baxx fir-
rigward tal-valur ta’ rigressjoni (R2 = 0.62). Kif di ā à intqal hawn fuq, ri Ŝ ultati
simili g ħ andhom ji ā u ttrattati b'kawtela, peress li s-serje tad-dejta analizzata
hija qasira wisq sabiex jistg ħ u jin ħ ar ā u konklu Ŝ jonijiet bl-u Ŝ u ta ë -CPUE.
0.05
(t / N FADs * N Trips)
y = -0.0052x + 10.42
0.04
R = 0.6198
CPUE
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
Year
Figura 12 Qabda g ħ al kull unità ta’ sforz (b ħ ala t / numru ta’ irmi āā i * numru
ta’ vja āā i tas-sajd) g ħ all lampuki ( C. hippurus ) stmata g ħ as-sajd bl-irmi āā i
f’Maltija matul il-perjodu 2006-2011, bil-linja ta’ rigressjoni.
I ë -CPUE totali ta’ C. hippurus tvarja fuq ba Ŝ i sta ā jonali, u mudell migratorju
madwar il-G Ŝ ejjer Maltin ā ie abbo ŜŜ at [46] u ibba Ŝ at fuq anali Ŝ i ta’ dejta tal-
qbid annwali mill-ir ë evuti tal-bejg ħ u n-numru u s-sit ta’ irmi āā i allokati lil
bastimenti fl-2005, 2006, 2008 u 2009, kif ukoll mill-u Ŝ u tal-g ħ arfien tas-
sajjieda dwar il-bidliet sta ā jonali fit-tenden Ŝ i ta’ distribuzzjoni tal- ħ ut.
Figura 13 Mappa tad-densità ta’ CPUE medju b ħ ala kg/ ā urnata/irmi āā g ħ al-
C. hippurus g ħ all-ista ā un tas-sajd 2009 (Awissu – Di ë embru) [46].
Ibba Ŝ at fuq informazzjoni mi ā bura minn g ħ and sajjieda professjonali u
mudelli mill-mapep ta’ densità ta’ kull xahar tal- qabdiet tal-lampuki Maltin
(Figura 13), C. hippurus jidhru li jemigraw fid-direzzjoni kontra l-arlo āā
minn-Nofsinhar ta’ Malta (Marsaxlokk) lejn il-Punent ta’ G ħ awdex (Xlendi)
hekk kif l-ista ā un tas-sajd bl-irmi āā i jippro ë edii minn Awissu sa Di ë embru. L-
anali Ŝ i statistika kkonfermat li kien hemm differenza sinifikanti fil- ħ att medju
ta’ kull xahar bejn id-distretti, matul ix-xhur studjati. Meta ā ie analizzat l-
i Ŝ barkar medju g ħ al kull linja transitorja g ħ al kull sta ā un tas-sajd, id-distrett
ta’ Xlendi kellu valuri og ħ la b'mod sinifikanti meta mqabbla ma' distretti o ħ ra
[46].
Figura 14 Medja tal-i Ŝ barkar ta’ C. hippurus g ħ al kull linja transitorja (kg /
linja transitorja / sta ā un) f’kull distrett fis-snin 2005, 2006, 2008 u 2009; il-
mar ā ni tà Ŝ ball jindikaw l-intervall ta’ kunfidenza tal-95 % [46].
Limitazzjoni ta' dan l-istudju hija li l-g ħ add ta' jiem tas-sajd kien biss
ikkalkulat ibba Ŝ at fuq il- ā ranet fejn is-sajjieda rrapurtaw kwalunke qabda; l-
ebda nformazzjoni ma kienet disponibbli dwar l-g ħ add ta' jiem li s-sajjieda
ħ ar ā u g ħ as-sajd u irritornaw ming ħ ajr l-ebda qabda. Barra minn hekk l-g ħ add
ta irmi āā i invi Ŝ tati matul vja āā ta' sajd ivarja ħ afna u jiddependi fuq it-temp u
l-abbundanza ta' ħ ut; l-unika dejta disponibbli kienet dik tan-numru totali ta'
irmi āā i skjerati fuq kull linja tran Ŝ itorja.
5.4
Indikaturi tal-Istat tal-Popolazzjoni mid-Dejta Maltija
Fin-nuqqas ta’ informazzjoni dwar il-parametri tal-istokk mill-Italja, it-
Tune Ŝ ija, Spanja u l-Libja, informazzjoni mill-G Ŝ ejjer Maltin hija ppre Ŝ entata
hawn ta ħ t. Meta wie ħ ed iqis il-fatt li Malta kienet responsabbli g ħ all-10 % tal-
i Ŝ barki kollha fil-perjodu 2006-2010 huwa ë ar li kwalunkwe valutazzjoni
affidabbli tal-istat tal-popolazzjoni jew pressjoni tas-sajd se je ħ tie ā li
jinkorpora wkoll dejta Taljana u Tune Ŝ ina wkoll. Madankollu d-dejta
dipendenti mis-sajd li hi disponibbli f’Malta ā iet ppre Ŝ entata hawn ta ħ t. Fil-
pre Ŝ ent, l-ebda st ħ arri ā indipendenti dwar is-sajd ta’ C. hippurus ma ā ie
mwettaq, u g ħ alhekk, l-ebda indikaturi tal-istat tal-popolazzjoni mhux
dipendenti fuq is-sajd m’huma disponibbli.
Figura 15 hawn ta ħ t turi d-distribuzzjoni tal-frekwenza ta’ tul g ħ all-lampuki
maqbude mill-bastimenti ta’ daqs 6-12 m u 12-18 m, fil-perjodu 2005-2011.
Il-lampuki g ħ andhom rati ta’ Ŝ vilupp u metaboli Ŝ mu rapidu ħ afna.
Id-distribuzzjoni tal-frekwenza ta’ tul g ħ all-2011 turi Ŝ ieda fil-individwi
Ŝ barkati li huma inqas minn 30 ë m fit-tul.
6-12 m vessels
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Fork Length (cm)
6-12 m vessels
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Fork Length (cm)
6-12 m vessels
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
N Individuals
Fork Length (cm)
Fork Length (cm)
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
Fork Length (cm)
Figura 15 Distribuzzjoni tal-frekwenza ta’ tul g ħ all-lampuki ( C. hippurus )
maqbuda bl-irmi āā i mill-bastimenti b’tul ta’ 6-12 m u 12-18 m fil-G Ŝ ejjer
Maltin
August
September
N Individuals Landed
20000
20000
10000
10000
Fork Length Class (cm)
Fork Length Class (cm)
November
October
N Individuals Landed
20000
20000
10000
10000
Fork Length Class (cm)
Fork Length Class (cm)
December
January
N Individuals Landed
20000
20000
10000
10000
Fork Length Class (cm)
Fork Length Class (cm)
Figura 16 Medji tad-distribuzzjoni tal-frekwenza tat-tul tal- C. hippurus
rre ā istrati fil-G Ŝ ejjer Maltin 2009-2011; komposizzjoni tat-tul tal-qabdiet
i Ŝ idu b'mod mg ħ a āā el matul l-ista ā un tas-sajd min ħ abba r-rati g ħ olja ta’
Ŝ vilupp ta’ din l-ispe ë i.
Minimum Size (cm)
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vessels
Figura 17 Daqs minimu tal-lampuki ( C. hippurus ) maqbuda mis-segment tal-
flotta Maltija b’tul madwar 6-12 m u 12-18 m.
L-anali Ŝ i tad-distribuzzjoni tal-frekwenza tat-tul tal-lampuki maqbuda fil-
G Ŝ ejjer Maltin fil-perjodu 2005-2011, turi tendenza ta’ tnaqqis fid-daqs
minimu tal ħ ut Ŝ barkati, kemm mis-segmenti tal-flotta ta’ madwar 6-12 m u
kemm dawk ta’ 12-18 m.
Meta ji ā u kikkunsidrati d-daqsijiet massimi tal- C. hippurus Ŝ barkati, tidher
tenden Ŝ a ta’ Ŝ jieda fil-kobor tad-daqs fil-perjodu 2005-2009, segwita minn
tnaqqis fl-2010-2011. Dan huwa x'aktarx min ħ abba l-fatt li sal-2007 is-sajd
kien ing ħ alaq fl-a ħħ ar ta’ Di ë embru, filwaqt li fl-ista ā un 2008-2010 dan ā ie
esti Ŝ sa tmiem Jannar, b'hekk is-sajjieda setaw jimmiraw g ħ al individwi ikbar
fid-daqs.
Maximum Size (cm)
6-12 m vessels
12-18 m vess els
Figura 18 Daqs massimu tal lampuki ( C. hippurus ) maqbuda mill-flotot ta’
madwar 6-12 m u 12-18 m fil-G Ŝ ejjer Maltin
Id-daqs medju ta’ ħ ut maqbud baqà kostanti fil 2005-2010, qabel ma naqas
minn circa 40 cm g ħ al madwar 30 cm fl-2011.
Average Size (cm)
6-1 2 m vess els
1 2 -1 8 m ve sse ls
2 0 05
2 00 6
20 0 7
20 08
20 0 9
2 0 10
2 01 1
Figura 19 Daqs medju tal lampuki ( C. hippurus ) maqbuda mill-flotot ta’
madwar 6-12 m u 12-18 m fil-G Ŝ ejjer Maltin.
B'mod ā enerali, it-tnaqqis fid-daqsijiet minimi u l-medja ta’ ħ ut maqbud fis-
snin ri ë enti tag ħ ti lok g ħ at-t ħ assib. G ħ alkemm l-istat tal-istokk pre ë i Ŝ mhux
mag ħ ruf min ħ abba li dan je ħ tie ā valutazzjoni re ā jonali tal-istokkijiet, huwa
ë ar li sajd e ëë essiv qed ji ā i e Ŝ er ë itat fuq individwi Ŝ g ħ ar tal-istokk ta’ C.
hippurus maqbud mill-flotta Maltija.
Figura 20 Età espressa fi ā ranet kontra tul (cm) tal- ħ ut, g ħ all-kampjuni mis-
suq tal-lampuki ( C. hippurus ) maqbuda fil-g Ŝ ejjer Maltin fil-perjodu 2005-
2010. Tabella 11 Età medja tas-sagitta ( ā ranet), età medja tal-lapillus ( ā ranet) u l-
medja tat-tul mid-denb (cm) g ħ al kampjuni mis-suq tal-lampuki ( C. hippurus )
maqbuda fil-g Ŝ ejjer Maltin fil 2005-2010.
Età medja tas
95.6
88.6
100.2
46.6
114.8
83.0
Età medja tal
72.7
69.6
107.0
100.4
N/A
N/A
Medja tat-tul mid-denb (cm)
41.7
39.8
49.4
26.7
50.4
40.8
L-età medja sa ā ittali Ŝ diedet bejn is-snin 2007-2009, u fl-2010 naqas g ħ al
livelli ta’ qabel l-2007. L-istess tenden Ŝ a ā iet osservata fl-età determinata
permezz tal-u Ŝ u tal-lapillus, g ħ alkemm din it-tip ta’ l-anali Ŝ i ma saritx fl-2009
u l-2010. Ladarba s-sajd g ħ all-lampuki f’Malta g ħ andu tendenza li jimmira l-
individwi Ŝ - Ŝ g ħ ar mill-klassi ta’ età 0, biss ftit individwi ta’ età ikbar minn
sena nkisbu g ħ all-ikkampjunar fil-laboratorju. Ā ie identifikat total ta’ 3
individwi biss li kieny ikbar minn 1 sena età fl-2008. Fl-2009, 27 individwi
nstabu li kienu ta’ sena, filwaqt li 4 individwi kienu ta’ sentejn età. Fl-
a ħħ arnett, fl-2010, 5 individwi nstabu li kienu ta’ sena, u 8 individwi nstabu li
kienu ta’ sentejn età.
G ħ alkemm dejta ta’ sforz hija disponibbli biss g ħ al serje ta' Ŝ mien qasir, sittin
sena ta’ dejta ta’ Ŝ barki li tvarja madwar medja stabbli tidher li tindika li anki
jekk is-sajd ma jkunx qed jisfrutta l-istokk tal-lampuki g ħ al-livelli ta’ qlig ħ
massimu, il-qlig ħ mis-sajd Malti wa ħ du huwa sostenibbli anki fit-tul. I Ŝ - Ŝ ieda
re ë enti fil- ħ att l-art totali ta’ spe ë ijiet fil-Mediterran, u b'mod partikolari Ŝ -
Ŝ ieda drammatika fil- ħ att l-art Taljani, ma jistax ikun sostenibbli u
potenzjalment jista' jkun il-kaw Ŝ a tat-tnaqqis fid-daqs tal-lampukimaqbud
mis-sajjieda Maltin fis-snin ri ë enti.
Madankollu hemm lakuni konsiderevoli fl-g ħ arfien li g ħ andhom jimtlew
sabiex jkun hemm fehma bis-s ħ i ħ tal-bijolo ā ija u d-dinamika tal-popolazzjoni
tal-lampuki, li ming ħ ajrhom konklu Ŝ jonijiet xjentifi ë i sodi dwar l-istat tal-
istokk ma jistg ħ ux ji ā u derivati . G ħ al din ir-ra ā uni Malta hija involuta f'g ħ add
kurrenti ta’ inizjattivi ta' ri ë erka, deskritti f'aktar dettall hawn ta ħ t.
Impatt fuq speëi tal-qabda sekondarja u l-Ambjent
6.2
Speëi tal-qabda sekondarja
L-ipe ë i li jinqabdu bl-irmi āā i b ħ ala qabda sekondarja jinkludu l-qabdiet totali
tal- ħ ut mhux spe ë ifiku li huma ta’ valur kummer ë jali. Fir-rigward tal-qabda
sekondarja, Fanfri ( Naucrates ductor ) u numru Ŝ g ħ ir ta’ ê ervjoli ( Seriola
dumerili ) jinqabdu minbarra l-ispe ë i fil-mira f'dan is-sajd. L-istess spe ë ijiet
jinqabdu b ħ ala qbid sekondarju fi Sqallija u Mallorca fis-sajd tal-lampuki [45,
47]. Okka Ŝ jonalment il-qabda sekondarja tinkludi wkoll il-Kavalli ( Scomber
japonicus ) u s-Sawrelli ( Trachurus trachurus ).
Rari ħ afna, xi drabi dawn il-qabdiet jinkludu individwi Ŝ ghar ta’ alongi
( Thunnus alalunga ) u tonn ( Thunnus thynnus ) li ji ā u rritornati l-ba ħ ar ħ ajjin
peress li ħ afna spe ë i maqbuda huma ta ħ t id-daqs minimu.
6.3
Impatti Ambjentali
Studju dwar l-g ħ add u d-distribuzzjoni ta’ knaten fl-ib ħ ra Maltin mwettqa
minn Pace et al. (2007a) sab abbundanza ħ afna inqas milli mistenni ta’
ë angaturi. Madankollu, l-istudju sar fl-oqsma fejn t-tkarkir huwa permess fi Ŝ -
Ŝ ona ta’ Ā estjoni tas-Sajd tal-25 mil nawtiku madwar Malta; huwa g ħ alhekk
possibbli li n-numru baxx ta' ë angaturi rre ā istrati kien dovut g ħ all-fatt li l-
bastimenti tat-tkarkir jnaddfu l-qieg ħ tal-ba ħ ar minn dawk l-ostruzzjonijiet.
Spjegazzjoni o ħ ra potenzjali g ħ at-tisjib ta’ numru ta’ ë angaturi f’ammont
inqas milli mistenni hija li dawn jistg ħ u ji ā u mg ħ arqa gradwalment fir-ramel
sakemm huma kompletament midfuna u jiddi Ŝ integraw min ħ abba
reazzjonijiet ta’ ero Ŝ joni naturali.
ê angaturi tal-franka b ħ al dawn, li tni ŜŜ lu fuq ħ abitats ta’ ramel / tajn, jistg ħ u
fil-fatt jkollom impatt po Ŝ ittiv fuq l-organi Ŝ mi ta’ qieg ħ il-ba ħ ar ta Ŝ - Ŝ ona
GSA 15, billi jipprovdi ħ abitat aktar etero ā enju, li ja ā ixxu b ħ ala sikek
artifi ë jali Ŝ g ħ ar u b'hekk jg ħ inu g ħ al-i Ŝ vilupp tal-bijodiversità.
7. Riëerka kontinwa
Grupp ta’ ħ idma dwar is-sajd u evalwazzjoni tal- C. hippurus fl-oqsma tal-
Pro ā ett MedSudMed u CopeMed II ħ adu lok f'Palermo, l-Italja fil-5-6 ta’
Lulju 2011. G ħ all-laqg ħ a attendew ri ë erkaturi mill-istituzzjonijiet involuti fl-
attivitajiet II MedSudMed u CopeMed, ji ā ifieri Malta, it-Tune Ŝ ija, l-Italja u
Spanja.
L-g ħ an ewlieni tal-laqg ħ a kien li jibda pro ë ess li fit-terminu medju g ħ andu
jwassal g ħ al deskrizzjoni a ħ jar tas-sajd u l-istokk ta’ C. hippurus fir-re ā jun
tal-Mediterran. Sabiex jinkiseb dan, l-attivitajiet nazzjonali attwali dwar C.
hippurus fin-nofsinhar- ë entrali u tal-punent tal-Mediterran ā ew riveduti
flimkien mad-dejta disponibbli fil-livell nazzjonali dwar din l-ispe ë i.
Ā ew identifikati lakuni fl-g ħ arfien li je ħ tie ā u jimtlew sabiex tkun hemm
fehma xierqa tal-bijolo ā ija u d-dinamika tal-popolazzjoni ta’ din l-ispe ë i fir-
re ā jun tal-Mediterran, u b'hekk beda l-pro ë ess lejn evalwazzjoni re ā jonali
kon ā unta tal-istokk tal- C. hippurus . Is-su āā etti li ā ejjin kienu identifikati
b ħ ala su āā etti li g ħ andhom ji ā u inklu Ŝ i fil-pjan ta’ ħ idma sabiex isir progress
fuq il-valutazzjoni l-istat tal-istokk ta' C. hippurus
Identifikazzjoni tal-unitajiet tal-istokk fis-sottore ā juni tal-Mediterran
1. Identifikazzjoni tal- ħ abitats kriti ë i (siti ta’ riproduzzjoni u ta Ŝ - Ŝ g ħ ar) u
2. tar-rekwi Ŝ iti ekolo ā i ë i g ħ all-i Ŝ vilupp ta’ bajd u larvi
Definizzjoni ta’ xi aspetti bijolo ā i ë i b ħ all-parametri ta’ tkabbir u graffi
3. tal-maturità
Impatt tas-sajd ibba Ŝ at fuq irmi āā i fuq spe ë ijiet ta’ qbid in ë identali u fuq
4. l-ambjent
Il-pro ā ett Taljan Ritmare re ë entement g ħ amel disponibbli ë ertu fondi biex
jibda studju dwar il-konnettività tal-istokk ta’ C. hippurus . B ħ alissa kampjuni
qed jin ā abru madwar il-Mediterran sabiex jitwettaq paragun ā enetiku u ji ā u
identifikati sub-popolazzjonijiet. Il-pro ë ess ta’ kampjunar qed ji ā i koordinat
mill-pro ā etti re ā jonali tal-FAO CopeMed II, MedSudMed, Adriamed u
EastMed ; kampjuni ji ā u mi ā bura mill-postijiet li ā ejjin
Tramuntana tat-Tune Ŝ ija
•
Nofsinhar tat-Tune Ŝ ija
•
•
Malta
•
Libja
•
Marokk Atlantiku / Mediterran
Spanja (inkl. G Ŝ ejjer Baleari ë i)
•
Ba ħ ar Tirren
•
•
Tramuntana ta’ Sqallija
•
Nofsinhar ta’ Sqallija
•
Adrijatiku (Montenegro)
•
Lvant tal-Mediterran
Kampjuni minn xi w ħ ud mill-postijiet imsemmija hawn fuq, inklu Ŝ a Malta,
di ā à ā ew mi ā bura u mibg ħ uta lill-Università ta’ Palermo, fejn se ji ā u
analizzati. Pre Ŝ entazzjoni ta’ ri Ŝ ultati preliminari hija ppjanata g ħ all-laqg ħ a
kon ā unta tal-MedSudMed - II CopeMed fuq il- C. hippurus fl-2013.
G ħ alkemm dan il-pro ā ett huwa pass fid-direzzjoni t-tajba aktar finanzjament
biex iwettqu xog ħ ol xjentifiku dwar il- C. hippurus huwa kru ë jali jekk il-
mi Ŝ uri futuri ta’ ā estjoni g ħ andhom ji ā u bba Ŝ ati fuq pariri xjentifi ë i sodi.
8. Karatteristiëi soëjo-ekonomiëi tas-sajd
Il-prestazzjoni ekonomika tas-sajd bl-irmi āā i tal-lampuki huwa bba Ŝ at fuq sett
ta’ varjabbli u indikaturi li kienu kalkolati billi tintu Ŝ a id-dejta ekonomika
mi ā bura kull sena g ħ all-fini tal-Programm g ħ al Ā bir ta’ Dejta tal-UE, fejn
twettaq st ħ arri ā lis-sidien tal-bastimenti mag ħŜ ula permezz ta' kampjun
ka Ŝ wali stratifikat. Ta’ min jinnota li l-ma āā oranza tas-sajjieda mist ħ arr ā a
m’g ħ andhomx prattika fil-kontabilità u g ħ alhekk il-valuri miksuba ma
jistg ħ ux jitqiesu b ħ ala valuri pre ë i Ŝ i. Il-popolazzjoni hija definita b ħ ala l-flotta
Maltija s ħ i ħ a tas-sajd kummer ë jali li tinkludi l-bastimenti kummer ë jali full-
time (MFA) u l-bastimenti part-time (MFB) kollha. Kienu kkunsidrati kemm
bastimenti inattivi u kemm attivi.
Huwa importanti ħ afna li wie ħ ed jinnota li l-bastimenti li ju Ŝ aw l-irmi āā i
ju Ŝ aw ukoll tag ħ mir ie ħ or tas-sajd matul is-sena. Il- ā bir ta’ varjabbli
ekonomi ë i relatati biss mas-sajd li ju Ŝ aw l-irmi āā i beda mis-sena 2011 u
spe ë ifikament g ħ all-u Ŝ u fil-pjanijiet ta’ ā estjoni. Sabiex issir stima ta’ dejta
relatata biss mal-u Ŝ u tal-irmi āā i g ħ al snin ta’ qabel, fatturi b ħ al spejje Ŝ ta'
ener ā ija, spejje Ŝ ta’ tiswija u manutenzjoni, spejje Ŝ varjabbli, pagi u salarji
ā ew mqasmma skond il-proporzjon ta' sig ħ at ta’ ħ idma bl-irmi āā i miksuba
g ħ as-sena ta' referenza 2011.
Ir-regolamenti differenti li fuqhom kien ibba Ŝ at il- ā bir tad-dejta nazzjonali,
ji ā ifieri, ir-Regolament g ħ al Ā bir ta’ Dejta (DCR) u l-Qafas tal- Ā bir tad-Dejta
(DCF), jintrodu ë i differenzi fit-tip ta’ dejta mi ā bura u konsegwentement l-
varjabbli disponibbli. Dejta mi ā bura g ħ as-sena ta’ referenza 2006 u 2007 hija
bba Ŝ ata fuq id-DCR, filwaqt li d-dejta mi ā bura g ħ as-snin ta' referenza 2008-
2011 hija bba Ŝ ata fuq id-DCF.
Tabella 12 Valuri tal-varjabbli ekonomi ë i u l-indikaturi g ħ all-bastimenti
li ë enzjati biex jistadu g ħ all-lampuki ( C. hippurus ) bl-u Ŝ u tal-irmi āā i.
Varjabbli Ekonomiëi
Valur Gross tal-Ħatt
EURO
875,106
805,285 725,564
873,405
1,049,133
850,786
EURO
N/A
N/A
46,370
196,429
Dħul Totali
EURO
875,106
805,285 771,934
1,069,834
1,049,133
850,786
SpejjeŜ tal-Enerāija
EURO
241,378
116,778 106,172
159,141
416,503
392,366
SpejjeŜ tat-tiswija u l-
EURO
40,256
20,966
56,259
43,070
60,241
78,817
manutenzjoni
SpejjeŜ Varjabbli
EURO
225,860
101,345 264,134
177,457
196,757
8,506
SpejjeŜ Mhux Varjabbli
EURO
25,865
9,674
28,841
37,823
60,033
90,981
SpejjeŜ Totali
EURO
533,359
248,763 455,406
417,491
733,534
570,670
Indikaturi tal-Prestazzjoni
Ekonomika
Fluss Monetarju Operattiv EURO
269,041
515,498 261,414
507,126
32,858
87,768
Varjabbli Socjali
Pagi u Salarji tal-Istaff
EURO
72,706
41,024
55,114
145,217
282,741
192,348
Numru ta’ Ħaddiema
NUMBE 105
N/A
R
Numru ta’ NaŜŜjonali
NUMBE N/A
N/A
Impjegati Ekwivalenti Full- R
L-og ħ la valur g ħ all- valur gross tal-i Ŝ barki n ħ asset matul is-sena 2010 u dan
kien jammonta g ħ al €1,049,133 , filwaqt li l-og ħ la valur g ħ all-introjtu totali kien
tas-sena 2009 li kien jammonta g ħ al € 1,069,834. Differenza po Ŝ ittiva ta’ dan
tal-a ħħ ar huwa attribwit g ħ all-valur sostanzjali ta’ d ħ ul ie ħ or g ħ as-sena 2009, li
jammonta g ħ al € 196,429. Spejje Ŝ varjabbli u l-ispejje Ŝ tal-ener ā ija g ħ as-snin
kollha huma l- og ħ la spejje Ŝ b ħ ala porzjon tal-ispejje Ŝ totali ħ lief g ħ all-2011
fejn l-ispejje Ŝ varjabbli kienu baxxi ħ afna. Dan il-valur baxx jista’ ji ā i attribwit
g ħ all-fatt li l-kwestjonarji rigward is-sena 2011 kienu diretti lejn il- ā bir ta’
dejta relatata direttament mas-sajd tal-lampuki filwaqt li fis-snin pre ë edenti
ma kinux. It-tieni l-akbar spi Ŝ a g ħ ad-dg ħ ajjes kampjonati huma l-pagi u s-
salarji segwiti mill-ispejje Ŝ tat-tiswija u l-manutenzjoni. Matul il-perjodu tal-
istudju, l-i Ŝ g]ar spi Ŝ a hija dik tal-ispejje Ŝ fissi (mhux varjabbli) bl-e ëë ezzjoni
tal-2011 fejn dawn l-ispejje Ŝ jaqb Ŝ u dawk tat-tiswija u l-manutenzjoni. G ħ al
darb'o ħ ra din l-e ëë ezzjoni hija probabbilment dovuta g ħ all-fatt li s-sajjieda
ntalbu jag ħ tu informazzjoni fuq l-ispejje Ŝ relatati ma' tag ħ mir tas-sajd bl-
irmi āā i biss fl-2011.
Il-pagi u s-salarji g ħ as-sena 2010 huma l-og ħ la fost t-tendenza ta’ sitt snin u
jammontaw g ħ al €282,741. Fil-prattika dan it-tip ta’ sajd sta ā jonali japplika
prin ë ipalment l-kun ë etti tal-qsim ta' spi Ŝ a u l-qsim ta’ profitt fost il-persuni
kollha li ja ħ dmu abbord.
B ħ ala konklu Ŝ joni, l-a ħ jar sena f'termini ta’ d ħ ul u nfiq operattiv kienet is-
sena 2007 bil-profitt gross li ammonta g ħ al € 515,498.
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