and ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea). This fact causes its
minimum landing size to be modified according to the area of capture.
The historical evolution of the minimum landing size of the Blackspot Seabream
is shown in Table 19.2. Initially in 1995, the minimum landing size for the entire
regulatory area was set at 25 cm. This size was maintained until the years 2002 and
2006, where depending on the area of capture, the size was 25 or 33 cm. From late
2006 to 2009, the minimum landing size was 33 cm for both the Atlantic and
Mediterranean areas. Finally from 2012 to 2019, the minimum landing size and
the annual total allowable catch (TAC) for Spain are determined by the European
Union Regulation EU 2017/787 of 8 May 2017 which establishes that the minimum
size for the Blackspot Seabream is 33 cm (total length).
In Morocco, the main regulation is in force since 1992 and the interdiction of
fishing beyond 80 m depth in the area between Tangier and Al Hoceima and below
3 miles in the area between Al Hoceima and Saidia. The minimal landing size is
established on 25 cm (fork length; about 28 cm total length) with trawl cod end mesh
size !50 mm. The net regulation establishes that the maximum size must be 1000 m
with a cod end mesh size of 70 mm. Also there is a regulation about the protection of
marine areas and anti-trawling artificial reefs.
19.4 Life History and Biological Parameters
The Blackspot Seabream is a species belonging to the Sparidae family. It is a
bentho-pelagic species with adults inhabiting depth ranges from 300 to 700 m
throughout the eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean. It is a sequential
protandric hermaphrodite species, starting as males but changing into females at
30–35 cm, when they reach 4 to 6 years old (Alcaraz et al. 1987; Krug 1990; Gil
2006). They grow slowly to a maximum size of 70 cm, weight of 4 kg, and an age of
about 15 years (Coupé 1954; Sánchez 1983; Krug 1994; Gil 2006). These biological
Table 19.2 Minimum catch
size of Blackspot Seabream
established for the Spanish
fleet from 1995
Minimum size
(in cm)
Year Reference
25
1995 Royal Decree 560/1995, of April
7
25
(1) /33
(2)
2002 Order APA/3323/2002
25
(1) /33
(2)
2006 Order APA/8/2006
33
(2)
2007 Order APA/274/2007
33
(2)
2008 Order APA/445/2008
33
(2)
2009 Order ARM/521/2009
33
(2)
2009 ARM/3536/2009
33
(2,3)
2012 Order AAA/1589/2012
19 The Blackspot Seabream Fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar: Lessons and. . .
635
minimum landing size to be modified according to the area of capture.
The historical evolution of the minimum landing size of the Blackspot Seabream
is shown in Table 19.2. Initially in 1995, the minimum landing size for the entire
regulatory area was set at 25 cm. This size was maintained until the years 2002 and
2006, where depending on the area of capture, the size was 25 or 33 cm. From late
2006 to 2009, the minimum landing size was 33 cm for both the Atlantic and
Mediterranean areas. Finally from 2012 to 2019, the minimum landing size and
the annual total allowable catch (TAC) for Spain are determined by the European
Union Regulation EU 2017/787 of 8 May 2017 which establishes that the minimum
size for the Blackspot Seabream is 33 cm (total length).
In Morocco, the main regulation is in force since 1992 and the interdiction of
fishing beyond 80 m depth in the area between Tangier and Al Hoceima and below
3 miles in the area between Al Hoceima and Saidia. The minimal landing size is
established on 25 cm (fork length; about 28 cm total length) with trawl cod end mesh
size !50 mm. The net regulation establishes that the maximum size must be 1000 m
with a cod end mesh size of 70 mm. Also there is a regulation about the protection of
marine areas and anti-trawling artificial reefs.
19.4 Life History and Biological Parameters
The Blackspot Seabream is a species belonging to the Sparidae family. It is a
bentho-pelagic species with adults inhabiting depth ranges from 300 to 700 m
throughout the eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean. It is a sequential
protandric hermaphrodite species, starting as males but changing into females at
30–35 cm, when they reach 4 to 6 years old (Alcaraz et al. 1987; Krug 1990; Gil
2006). They grow slowly to a maximum size of 70 cm, weight of 4 kg, and an age of
about 15 years (Coupé 1954; Sánchez 1983; Krug 1994; Gil 2006). These biological
Table 19.2 Minimum catch
size of Blackspot Seabream
established for the Spanish
fleet from 1995
Minimum size
(in cm)
Year Reference
25
1995 Royal Decree 560/1995, of April
7
25
(1) /33
(2)
2002 Order APA/3323/2002
25
(1) /33
(2)
2006 Order APA/8/2006
33
(2)
2007 Order APA/274/2007
33
(2)
2008 Order APA/445/2008
33
(2)
2009 Order ARM/521/2009
33
(2)
2009 ARM/3536/2009
33
(2,3)
2012 Order AAA/1589/2012
19 The Blackspot Seabream Fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar: Lessons and. . .
635