(each line attached a maximum of 100 hooks, usually Æ70) with a maximum legal
length of 120 m. The legal dimensions of the hooks are a minimum length of
3.95 Æ 0.39 cm and a minimum width of 1.4 Æ 0.14 cm. The maximum number
of boats (more than 100) decreased to less than 60 in the last years and its mean
technical characteristics are as follows: length ¼ 9.80 meters, GRT ¼ 6.36, and
HP ¼ 47.23.
The most important Moroccan fleets targeting the Blackspot Seabream are the
longliners based at the Tangier harbor and the artisanal fleet of the Strait of Gibraltar
area. In the last years, the longliner fleet was more or less stable (78 to 101 vessels),
but in 2016 the number of the longliners fleet was composed of approximately
84 and 76 artisanal boats. The number of hooks (size of the hooks is between 8 and
11) by boat is between 200 and a maximum of 2000.
The operational area of the Spanish and Moroccan fleets is approximately a sector
between 6
25’W to 5
15’W and 35
45’N to 36
15’N, which correspond with the
westernmost end of the Alboran Sea (Fig. 19.1) (Burgos et al. 2013). Some studies
have analyzed the migration patterns using tagging surveys (Gil et al. 2001; Sobrino
and Gil 2001). These studies indicate that juveniles showed displacements from
nursery areas towards the Strait of Gibraltar fishing grounds. However, recaptures
from tagged adults did not reflect big displacements, which are limited to feeding
movements among the different fishing grounds where the fleets work (Gil 2006).
There is not much information available on the stock structure of Blackspot
Seabream. FAO COPEMEDII TRANSBORAN (Transboundary population structure of Sardine, European hake and Blackspot Seabream in the Alboran Sea and
adjacent waters: a multidisciplinary approach) ongoing project based on genetics,
otolith shape, and microchemistry analyses will be giving some clues in the next
future.
In the case of the Spanish fleet, the analysis of the data provided by Location and
Track System for Andalusian Fishing Vessels (SLSEPA) between August 2007 and
December 2009 (Fig. 19.1) has allowed to identify the six main fishing areas (V-01
to V-06). On the other hand, the operation area of the Moroccan fleet is limited by the
Cap Spartel (at the west) to the east of Benyounech which approximately matches
with areas V-02, V-03, V-04, and V-06 from the Spanish fishing grounds. However,
until now there is a lack of precise information on the geographical distribution,
pattern distribution, and real stock boundaries of the Blackspot Seabream population
caught in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The compiled information from the Spanish fleet indicates that Blackspot
Seabream was significantly landed since 1983 (Fig. 19.2). Considering only the
main Spanish ports (Tarifa and Algeciras), landings trend of the shows a big decline
in the Spanish fishery from about 600 tons in 2009 to 104 t in 2016 (Table 19.1).
Catches from the Moroccan fisheries were low at the beginning to remain more or
less stable until 2013 (Fig. 19.2). From 2013 onwards, it showed an increasing trend
setting the highest value on 2015 with 219 tons and 159 t in 2016. The 2010–2016
mean production of this fishing resource is about 142 tons (Table 19.1).
From 2005 the fishing effort of Tarifa and Algeciras fleet was very high in
comparison with the Moroccan one but since 2009 declined and reached the same
19 The Blackspot Seabream Fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar: Lessons and. . .
631
length of 120 m. The legal dimensions of the hooks are a minimum length of
3.95 Æ 0.39 cm and a minimum width of 1.4 Æ 0.14 cm. The maximum number
of boats (more than 100) decreased to less than 60 in the last years and its mean
technical characteristics are as follows: length ¼ 9.80 meters, GRT ¼ 6.36, and
HP ¼ 47.23.
The most important Moroccan fleets targeting the Blackspot Seabream are the
longliners based at the Tangier harbor and the artisanal fleet of the Strait of Gibraltar
area. In the last years, the longliner fleet was more or less stable (78 to 101 vessels),
but in 2016 the number of the longliners fleet was composed of approximately
84 and 76 artisanal boats. The number of hooks (size of the hooks is between 8 and
11) by boat is between 200 and a maximum of 2000.
The operational area of the Spanish and Moroccan fleets is approximately a sector
between 6
25’W to 5
15’W and 35
45’N to 36
15’N, which correspond with the
westernmost end of the Alboran Sea (Fig. 19.1) (Burgos et al. 2013). Some studies
have analyzed the migration patterns using tagging surveys (Gil et al. 2001; Sobrino
and Gil 2001). These studies indicate that juveniles showed displacements from
nursery areas towards the Strait of Gibraltar fishing grounds. However, recaptures
from tagged adults did not reflect big displacements, which are limited to feeding
movements among the different fishing grounds where the fleets work (Gil 2006).
There is not much information available on the stock structure of Blackspot
Seabream. FAO COPEMEDII TRANSBORAN (Transboundary population structure of Sardine, European hake and Blackspot Seabream in the Alboran Sea and
adjacent waters: a multidisciplinary approach) ongoing project based on genetics,
otolith shape, and microchemistry analyses will be giving some clues in the next
future.
In the case of the Spanish fleet, the analysis of the data provided by Location and
Track System for Andalusian Fishing Vessels (SLSEPA) between August 2007 and
December 2009 (Fig. 19.1) has allowed to identify the six main fishing areas (V-01
to V-06). On the other hand, the operation area of the Moroccan fleet is limited by the
Cap Spartel (at the west) to the east of Benyounech which approximately matches
with areas V-02, V-03, V-04, and V-06 from the Spanish fishing grounds. However,
until now there is a lack of precise information on the geographical distribution,
pattern distribution, and real stock boundaries of the Blackspot Seabream population
caught in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The compiled information from the Spanish fleet indicates that Blackspot
Seabream was significantly landed since 1983 (Fig. 19.2). Considering only the
main Spanish ports (Tarifa and Algeciras), landings trend of the shows a big decline
in the Spanish fishery from about 600 tons in 2009 to 104 t in 2016 (Table 19.1).
Catches from the Moroccan fisheries were low at the beginning to remain more or
less stable until 2013 (Fig. 19.2). From 2013 onwards, it showed an increasing trend
setting the highest value on 2015 with 219 tons and 159 t in 2016. The 2010–2016
mean production of this fishing resource is about 142 tons (Table 19.1).
From 2005 the fishing effort of Tarifa and Algeciras fleet was very high in
comparison with the Moroccan one but since 2009 declined and reached the same
19 The Blackspot Seabream Fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar: Lessons and. . .
631