Suchergebnisse

ICES Annual Science Conference, 9-12 September 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden ; Diversification of fisheries is strategic for the European Union. Adding value to underexploited and non-quota seafood species, such as cephalopods, represents an alternative source of income in fisheries, especially when commercial species show signs of unsustainable over-exploitation. Although cephalopods are fished in significant quantities across the Atlantic, challenges such as poor species identification and lack of stock assessment may preclude achievement of their potential as an alternative source of sustainable catches. While there is little or no market interest in much of northern Europe, the shortfinned squid (Illex coindetii, Todaropsis eblanae, Todarodes sagitattus, family Ommastrephidae) are a relatively important fishing resource in the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula, particularly along the north Spanish coast. However, the current understanding of their life cycles and stock status is limited. The present study aims to describe interannual and seasonal patterns in ommastrephid species landings, considering the varying proportions of the various species landed over time in the Iberian Peninsula, including information from Portugal and Spain. Biological characteristics (length, weight, sex and maturity distribution) are also described based on DCF sampling. Finally, we discuss possible management measures for ommastrephid fishing, e.g. should fishing be restricted to certain seasons or areas, to help decision makers to define science-informed management and conservation strategies ; Peer reviewed