Catch composition and trends in the size of three commercial species from bottom trawlers operating in FAO fishing area 34 (NW Africa) during 2004-2012

Abstract

In need of managing fisheries resources, a plethora of studies are globally conducted, using various indicators to determine the state of marine stocks. Eastern Central Atlantic (FAO fishing area 34) is among the richest areas of the planet in terms of diversity, and its waters are being exploited for decades by native and foreign fleets. In this study fisheries data from industrial bottom trawlers operating in FAO fishing area 34 are being analyzed, through a step by step approach. Beginning from the analysis of the catch composition and its trophic levels, we gradually focus in three commercially important species (Octopus vulgaris, Mullus surmuletus, Penaeus notialis) and their size trends during 2004-2012. Significant trend shifts were spotted, in the CPUE values of O. vulgaris and P. notialis, while M. surmuletus did not present any important alterations. Furthermore, the study concludes by attributing, in a theoretical context, the findings and comparing the analyzed data with official aggregated data in order to showcase the importance of utilizing data of pure industrial origin.