Publications and papers

Project Deliverables

Deliverables published by the MINOUW project

D1-7 Ecological, technical, social and economic characteristics of discarding fisheries

This report comprises a dissemination public document reporting the ecological, technical, social and economic characteristics of discarding fisheries. (6mb)

D1-9 Spatial overlap discards - habitats

Under the framework of the Task 1.3 (“Characterization of habitats where case-study fisheries producing unwanted catches take place”), the main goal of Deliverable 1.9 was to produce GIS maps showing the spatial overlap between high discard rate areas and habitats in case study areas. (3mb)

D2- 1 Implementation_Plan

Promoting positive change directly working with fishermen is the one of the main goal of MINOUW project. (1mb)

D2-6 Training materials on Technological Solutions

Selected results of the field tests carried out during the MINOUW field implementation phase (2016-2017) are presented in the following set of reports. The reports are intended to be self-contained, i.e. they can be used in communication activities (primarily, short-term courses to fishermen or fisheries controllers) individually and printed or extracted from the main document. (11mb)

D2-12 Behavioural responses to novel stimulii

This report describes the activities and results in Project MINOUW related to Technological Innovation Task 2.7: the use of lights as novel stimuli. (2mb)

D2-16 Data on the survival of unwanted catch

This report presents the results of survival assessments conducted as part of Project MINOUW, Task 2.9, and using methods recommended by ICES WKMEDS. It provides survival related data from a variety of methods, including vitality assessment and time-to-mortality observations, as well as more in-depth survival assessments using captive observation techniques. (4mb)

D3-1 Effects of discards ban on seabirds

In this report we estimated and analysed the effect of bycatch in four seabird Mediterranean taxa, all of them included in the EU Birds Directive, and one of them classified as the most endangered vertebrate in Europe. (2mb)

D3-3 Update specifications of bioeconomic optimization software

This reports stated purpose was to update the software behind the bioeconomic framework with the goal of including discard analysis in determining reference points. (1mb)

D3-6 Methods for developing and computing indicators of Good Environmental Status and economic profitability

Methods for developing and computing indicators of Good Environmental Status and economic profitability(2mb)

D5-1 Stakeholder-based data collection programmes

This document describes the complete information technological system (IT) developed and implemented to monitor catches and discards in the Minouw project by means of a smartphone application (herein after App) running on Android systems, backed up by a web-based application to host the necessary databases. (3mb)

D6-1 Solutions arising from the bottom-up approach

WWF collated the implementation plan presented in Deliverable 2.1 and completed this documentas deliverable 6.1. (982kb)

D6-4 Video feeds and other media communication products

This document provides information on the MINOUW website and video feeds created for the project. (2mb)

D6-6 On-line course ware on the sustainable use of natural resources

This document reports progress and conclusions on deliverable D6.6, On-line courseware on the sustainable use of natural resources in the MINOUW project. (2mb)

D6-14 Background information for journalists

The document proivdes an overview of the project and its goals. (859kb)

D7-1 Report on kick-off meeting

This report constitutes Milestone 1 and Deliverable 7.1 of MINOUW Project. The main results of the kick-off meeting, held in Mallorca between 13th-16th April 2015, are summarized and the minutes of the second Steering Committee held back to back with the meeting are annexed. (1mb)

D7-3 Non-disclosure agreement

SUPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF SPECIFIC DATA WITHIN THE MINOUW PROJECT(2mb)

D1-2 GIS maps (juveniles)

Under the framework of the Task 1.3, whose objective is the “Characterization of habitats where case-study fisheries producing unwanted catches take place”, the main goal of Deliverable 1.2 is to produce GIS maps showing the spatial distribution of juveniles of commercial species under the discard ban regulation in each case study area. (4mb)

D1-4 Review of the post-release survival

One of MINOUW tasks (T1.1B) was to review the literature for information on the survival of the species of interest for the project. (939kb)

D1-6 Analysis of fisher’s socio-economic behavior and practices

In the following study areas Mallorca Island, Catalan coast, Tuscany and Algarve coast (GSA05, GSA6, GSA09, ICES IXa) a detailed study of the métier practiced by a given boat was undertaken analyzing the corresponding sale records from the fishing Wharfs and landings, to provide an accurate, quantitative description of each métier. (15mb)

D1-8 Review of the study fisheries in terms of unwanted catches

The goal of deliverable D1.8 was to characterize the unwanted catches (undersized individuals of regulated species; non-commercial organisms) of case study fisheries in quantitative terms, exploiting the data bases created in WP1 and described in D1.1. (3mb)

D1-10 Vulnerability of key benthic and by-catch species

The present document corresponds to Deliverable D1.10 and compiles the analysis of the data obtained and processed at 8 different Case Studies of the Project MINOUW. (3mb)

D2- 3 Implementation plans (Technological solutions)

MINOUW is an EU H2020 project which main objective is to minimise unwanted catches by incentivising fishing technologies and practices that reduce pre-harvest mortality and post-harvest discards, while avoiding damage to sensitive marine species and habitats in European waters. (2mb)

D2-8 Selectivity critique review

This document reports the results of a desktop review of recent (last 10-15 years) experiments with conventional modifications to fishing gear aiming at reducing by-catch, or more generally, unwanted catches in south European waters. (2mb)

D2-15 Guidance on Promoting Survival of Discarded Fish

This paper provides examples of the methods and analysis used to undertake survival assessments. (1mb)

D2-19 Handling storage transport

This deliverable summarizes desktop and field research carried out during the MINOUW project. (3mb)

D3-2 Overlap of potential unwanted catch and fishing effort

The main goal of deliverable 3.2 was to estimate maps of potential unwanted catch from bottom trawlers in the different Case Studies (CS) using statistical modeling techniques and taking into account the spatial distribution of fishing effort. (3mb)

D3-5 Software updates (GADGET, ATLANTIS, MEFISTO)

This document collects the technical reports describing the updates to fisheries modelling software to account for discards. (4mb)

D4-1 Desktop review of general policy framework

European waters are affected by several threats due to the human use of coastal environments for a wide range of activities (e.g., industry,shipping, fisheries, tourism, etc.).
(2mb)

D5-2 Data-recording apps tested by fishiries

D.5.2 reflects the activities of Task 5.2 aiming to incentivizing self-monitoring of new-discard reducing measures tested in the field by fishers. (1mb)

D6-2 Reports of multi-actor workshops

This report will provide further detail on the results of pilot test actions derived from local fishery multi-actor workshops, here we focused on reporting both the organizations and the outcomes of the HLMs. (2mb)

D6-5 Outputs of fishers’ exchange program

In the framework of the participatory process undertaken in the Minouw project, the fishers' exchanges have had the main role of coagulating the relationship between fishermen, researchers and WWF. (1mb)

D6-11 The process of capture and improvement of selectivity

Iniciativa cientifica, tecnologica i social per minimitzar les captures no desitjades de les pesqueres europees (11mb-Report in Catalan)

D7-2 Consotium Agreement

THIS CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT is based upon REGULATION (EU) No 1290/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 December 2013 laying down the rules for the participation and dissemination in "Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)" (15mb)

D7-4 Project website

The website of the MINOUW Action was launched in April 2015, meeting the requirements of Deliverable 7.4 and completing Milestone 4. (8mb)

Scientific papers, posters, etc.

Research papers and other material published by MINOUW project participants.

Mixed-fish commercial categories as a strategy for reducing discards from the small-scale fleet

Our objective was to describe, for the first time in the Mediterranean,the fraction of low-priced fish that is distributed by the fishers in MFBoxes and sold as MFCategories. (2mb)

Differential adult survival at close seabird colonies - the importance of spatial foraging

Understanding the demographic processes driving population dynamics is crucial from a theoretical point of view to assess life-history theory, but also from an applied viewpoint for
conservation purposes and ecosystem management. (464kb)

Fishers’ perceptions of the European Union discards ban: perspective from south European fisheries.

The objective of this work is to investigate the perception of the fishing industry in South European waters (Portugal and Mediterranean EU countries) with regards to the implementation of the EU Landing Obligation and whether significant differences in perceptions can be detected across countries, fleet types, length of vessels or fishers. (1mb)

Fishers’ socio-economic behavior

Fishers’ socio-economic behavior in relation to discarding practices: How will the landing obligation affect the management of Greek bottom trawl fisheries? (39k)

ITQs, Firm Dynamics and Wealth Distribution: Does full tradability increase inequality?

Concerns over the re-distributive effects of individual transferable quotas (ITQ's) have led to restrictions on their tradability. We consider a general equilibrium model with firm dynamics to evaluate the redistributive impact of changing the tradability of ITQs. (Openaire)

Unraveling the life cicle of two small gobies: age validation and determination

Poster presented at the 6th International Otolith Symposium (IOS 2018), held in Keelung (Taiwan) from April 15th to 20th, 2018. (Openaire)

Predictable anthropogenic food subsidies, density-dependence and socio-economic factors influence breeding investment in a generalist seabird

Recent European policies on the ban of fishing discards and the closure of open-air landfills are expected to reduce predictable and abundant food resources for generalist seabirds. (Openaire)

Varying demographic impacts of different fisheries on three Mediterranean seabird species

Fisheries have an enormous economic importance, but reconciling their socio‐economic features with the conservation and sustainability of marine ecosystems presents major challenges. (Openaire)

Endogenous fishing mortalities: a state-space bioeconomic model

A methodology that endogenously determines catchability functions that link fishing mortality with contemporaneous stock abundance is presented. We consider a stochastic age-structured model for a fishery composed by a number of fishing units (fleets, vessels or métiers) that optimally select the level of fishing effort to be applied considering total mortalities as given. (Openaire)

Predator arrival elicits differential dispersal, change in age structure and reproductive performance in a prey population

Predators are an important ecological and evolutionary force shaping prey population dynamics. Ecologists have extensively assessed the lethal effects of invasive predators on prey populations. (Openaire)

Occurrence of adult anchovy in Catalonia (NW Mediterranean) in relation to sea surface conditions

Generalized additive and generalized additive threshold models were used to study the relationship between landings per unit effort (LPUE) of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, during the spawning season (May-October) from 2000-2010, and environmental variables, using sea surface data derived from satellite imagery (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, and meridional and zonal velocity current) in three fishing zones defined along the Catalan coast. (Openaire)

The social cost of fishery subsidy reforms

This paper analyzes the impact of reducing fisheries subsidies in a general equilibrium model for a fishery with heterogeneous vessels. (Openaire)

A Bayesian model of fisheries discards with flexible structure and priors defined by experts

Minimizing
the probability of discards is an important step in mitigating environmental impacts of fishing activities and maximizing economic gains from fish stocks. (Openaire)

A dynamic economic equilibrium model for the economic assessment of the fishery stock-rebuilding policies

The paper develops and analyses a dynamic general equilibrium model with heterogeneous agents that can be used for assessment of the economic consequences of fish stock-rebuilding policies within the EU. (Login required)

Colonisation in social species: the importance of breeding experience for dispersal in overcoming information barriers

Studying colonisation is crucial to understand metapopulations, evolutionary ecology and species resilience to global change. (Openaire)

Reconciling yield stability with international fisheries agencies precautionary preferences: the role of non constant discount factors in age structured models

International fisheries agencies recommend exploitation paths that satisfy two features. First, for precautionary reasons exploitation paths should avoid high fishing mortality in those fisheries where the biomass is depleted to a degree that jeopardise the stock's capacity to produce the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). Second, for economic and social reasons, captures should be as stable (smooth) as possible over time. (Openaire)

Assessment of the relative catch performance of hake, red mullet and striped red mullet in a modified trawl extension with T90 netting

We studied the relative catch performance of a modified trawl fitted with an extension piece using a 90º turned mesh (T90) in comparison with a standard trawl net used in NW Mediterranean bottom trawl fisheries employing a diamond mesh net. (Scentia Marina)

Exploring the effects of discarding using the Atlantis ecosystem model for Icelandic waters

In this study the ecological and economic effects of discarding were investigated using the Atlantis model for Icelandic waters. (Scentia Marina)

Effects of reallocating fishing effort from trawling to creels in a Norway lobster fishery

The consequences of reallocating fishing effort from trawling to creels in an area off the West coast of Portugal for the operation of the trawl fleet, as well as on the population dynamics and the global catch value for a high-valued species, the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) are evaluated. (Marine Policy)

"Bycatch and discards survival rate in a small-scale bivalve dredge fishery along the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)"

The present study aimed to quantify the bycatch and discards, estimate damage and mortality, and propose management measures to minimize discards and mortality. (Special Issue Scientia Marina)

A Bayesian model of fisheries discards with flexible structure and priors defined by experts

Here, we present a novel approach consisting of a modular Bayesian model, which can incorporate any relevant explanatory variable, independently of data availability. (Ecological Modelling Elsevier)

Balearic Islands boat seine fisheries - the transparent goby fishery an example of co-management

This paper describes the co-management of this small-scale fishery and evaluates the vision of the participating fishermen because the fishermen themselves changed the incentives regarding maximizing catches by maximizing profit. (326kb)

Environmental drivers of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea)

In the present study, a characterization of sardine landings in terms of trend and breakpoints was performed to evaluate the presence of marked temporal changes. (1mb)

Suitability maps. ICES CM 2016/I:132

Suitability maps to show potential areas of high concentrations of unwanted catch. Can they be a new tool to aid fisheries management? (59k)

Sheldon Spectrum and the Plankton Paradox: Two Sides of the Same Coin : A trait-based plankton size-spectrum model

The Sheldon spectrum describes a remarkable regularity in aquatic ecosystems: the biomass density as a function of logarithmic body mass is approximately constant over many orders of magnitude.(Openaire)

Plankton: the paradox and the power law

We describe a numerical study of a size-structured, multispecies, population-dynamic model; the model has a single resource, supporting an arbitrary number of phytoplankton and zooplankton species. (Openaire)

Comparing the catch composition, profitability and discard survival from different trammel net designs targeting common spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) in a Mediterranean fishery

In the Balearic Islands, different trammel net designs have been adopted to promote fisheries sustainability and reduce discards. Here, we compare the catch performance of three trammel net designs targeting the spiny lobster Palinurus elephas in terms of biomass, species composition and revenue from commercial catches and discards. (Openaire)

Demography of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater: the impact of fisheries and time to extinction

World-wide, many seabirds are affected by fisheries in opposing ways: as a source of mortality from bycatch, but also by providing discards as a predictable and abundant food resource. (Openaire)

Science, Technology, and Society Initiative to Minimize Unwanted Catches in European Fisheries

Paper presented at the EFCA Seminar "Five-year external evaluation", held in Vigo, Spain, on June 20th, 2017 (Openaire)

Science, technology and society initiative to minimise unwanted catches in European fisheries – the MINOUW project

Paper presented at The 1st Regional Conference of the FISHERMAN project, held in Mahajanga (Madagascar), from 10 to 11 September 2015 (Openaire)

An evaluation of socioeconomic factors that influence fishers’ discard behaviour in the Greek bottom trawl fishery

A newly introduced regulation renders the discarding of certain commercially important species illegal within the European waters progressively until 2019 (Article 15, EC Regulation 1380/2013). Thorough research is required in order to understand fishers’ perceptions and to achieve effective implementation of the regulation. (Openaire)

An evaluation of socioeconomic factors that influence fishers’ discard behaviour in the Greek bottom trawl fishery

Consecutive cohort effects driven by density-dependence and climate influence early-life survival in a long-lived bird

Conditions during early life, including maternal cohort effects, can influence the future fitness of individuals. This may be particularly true for long-distance migrating birds, because, apart from conditions experienced by cohorts during rearing, conditions during early life in regions far from breeding grounds may also influence their population dynamics. (Openaire)

Discards and survival of marine benthic invertebrates from the trawl metier for the european hake

The issue of the fishery discards is of great interest in fishery management from the new policy of the European Union 2013 ((EU) No 1380/2013) which proposes a gradual reduction of discards. (Openaire)

To land or not to land : how do stakeholders perceive the zero discard policy in European small-scale fisheries ?

The landing obligation recently adopted by the European Union's (EU) Common Fisheries Policy aims to eradicate discards in EU fisheries. (Openaire)

Combining sale records of landings and fishers knowledge for predicting métiers in a small-scale, multi-gear, multispecies fishery

Stock management should be guided by assessment models that, among others, need to be fed by reliable data of catch and effort. (Openaire)

Reducing discards in trammel net fisheries with simple modifications based on a guarding net and artificial light: contributing to marine biodiversity conservation

Experimental fishing trials with standard (control) and modified trammel nets were conducted to assess the possible reduction of discards. (Scentia Marina)

Bioeconomic analysis of the effects of modifying the trawl extension piece with T90 netting

We assessed the effect of the European discards ban on the profitability of bottom trawlers in a case study fishery (GSA06, NW Mediterranean) in the transition period 2017-2018. (Scentia Marina)

End-to-end model of Icelandic waters using the Atlantis framework: Exploring system dynamics and model reliability

his paper describes the first end-to-end model for the Icelandic waters using the Atlantis modeling framework. (Fisheries Research)

Effects of different slipping methods on the mortality of sardine, Sardina pilchardus, after purse-seine capture off the Portuguese Southern coast (Algarve)

This work indicates that although delayed mortality after release may be substantial, appropriately modified slipping techniques significantly enhance survival of slipped sardines. (PLOS one)

Behavioural responses of krill and cod to artificial light in laboratory experiments

To find which light characteristics are most attractive to krill, we tested the effects of light intensity and wavelength composition on Northern krill’s (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) behavioural response to an artificial light source. (PLOS one)

Endogenous Fishing Mortalities: a State-Space Bioeconomic Model

In particular, we illustrate how to apply the methodology to assess the floating band target management regime for controlling fishing mortalities which is inspired in the new multi-annual plans. (ICES Journal of Marine Science)

Publications and papers

Project Deliverables

D1-1 Compilation of baseline data

D1.3 GIS maps (by - catch)

D1-5 Interviews with end users

D1-7 Ecological, technical, social and economic characteristics of discarding fisheries

D1-9 Spatial overlap discards - habitats

D2- 1 Implementation_Plan

D2-6 Training materials on Technological Solutions

D2-12 Behavioural responses to novel stimulii

D2-16 Data on the survival of unwanted catch

D3-1 Effects of discards ban on seabirds

D3-3 Update specifications of bioeconomic optimization software

D3-6 Methods for developing and computing indicators of Good Environmental Status and economic profitability

D5-1 Stakeholder-based data collection programmes

D6-1 Solutions arising from the bottom-up approach

D6-4 Video feeds and other media communication products

D6-6 On-line course ware on the sustainable use of natural resources

D6-14 Background information for journalists

D7-1 Report on kick-off meeting

D7-3 Non-disclosure agreement

D1-2 GIS maps (juveniles)

D1-4 Review of the post-release survival

D1-6 Analysis of fisher’s socio-economic behavior and practices

D1-8 Review of the study fisheries in terms of unwanted catches

D1-10 Vulnerability of key benthic and by-catch species

D2- 3 Implementation plans (Technological solutions)

D2-8 Selectivity critique review

D2-15 Guidance on Promoting Survival of Discarded Fish

D2-19 Handling storage transport

D3-2 Overlap of potential unwanted catch and fishing effort

D3-5 Software updates (GADGET, ATLANTIS, MEFISTO)

D4-1 Desktop review of general policy framework

D5-2 Data-recording apps tested by fishiries

D6-2 Reports of multi-actor workshops

D6-5 Outputs of fishers’ exchange program

D6-11 The process of capture and improvement of selectivity

D7-2 Consotium Agreement

D7-4 Project website

Scientific papers, posters, etc.

Mixed-fish commercial categories as a strategy for reducing discards from the small-scale fleet

Differential adult survival at close seabird colonies - the importance of spatial foraging

Fishers’ perceptions of the European Union discards ban: perspective from south European fisheries.

Fishers’ socio-economic behavior

ITQs, Firm Dynamics and Wealth Distribution: Does full tradability increase inequality?

Unraveling the life cicle of two small gobies: age validation and determination

Predictable anthropogenic food subsidies, density-dependence and socio-economic factors influence breeding investment in a generalist seabird

Varying demographic impacts of different fisheries on three Mediterranean seabird species

Endogenous fishing mortalities: a state-space bioeconomic model

Predator arrival elicits differential dispersal, change in age structure and reproductive performance in a prey population

Occurrence of adult anchovy in Catalonia (NW Mediterranean) in relation to sea surface conditions

The social cost of fishery subsidy reforms

A Bayesian model of fisheries discards with flexible structure and priors defined by experts

A dynamic economic equilibrium model for the economic assessment of the fishery stock-rebuilding policies

Colonisation in social species: the importance of breeding experience for dispersal in overcoming information barriers

Reconciling yield stability with international fisheries agencies precautionary preferences: the role of non constant discount factors in age structured models

Assessment of the relative catch performance of hake, red mullet and striped red mullet in a modified trawl extension with T90 netting

Exploring the effects of discarding using the Atlantis ecosystem model for Icelandic waters

Effects of reallocating fishing effort from trawling to creels in a Norway lobster fishery

"Bycatch and discards survival rate in a small-scale bivalve dredge fishery along the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)"

A Bayesian model of fisheries discards with flexible structure and priors defined by experts

Balearic Islands boat seine fisheries - the transparent goby fishery an example of co-management

Environmental drivers of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea)

Suitability maps. ICES CM 2016/I:132

Sheldon Spectrum and the Plankton Paradox: Two Sides of the Same Coin : A trait-based plankton size-spectrum model

Plankton: the paradox and the power law

Comparing the catch composition, profitability and discard survival from different trammel net designs targeting common spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) in a Mediterranean fishery

Demography of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater: the impact of fisheries and time to extinction

Science, Technology, and Society Initiative to Minimize Unwanted Catches in European Fisheries

Science, technology and society initiative to minimise unwanted catches in European fisheries – the MINOUW project

An evaluation of socioeconomic factors that influence fishers’ discard behaviour in the Greek bottom trawl fishery

An evaluation of socioeconomic factors that influence fishers’ discard behaviour in the Greek bottom trawl fishery

Consecutive cohort effects driven by density-dependence and climate influence early-life survival in a long-lived bird

Discards and survival of marine benthic invertebrates from the trawl metier for the european hake

To land or not to land : how do stakeholders perceive the zero discard policy in European small-scale fisheries ?

Combining sale records of landings and fishers knowledge for predicting métiers in a small-scale, multi-gear, multispecies fishery

Reducing discards in trammel net fisheries with simple modifications based on a guarding net and artificial light: contributing to marine biodiversity conservation

Bioeconomic analysis of the effects of modifying the trawl extension piece with T90 netting

End-to-end model of Icelandic waters using the Atlantis framework: Exploring system dynamics and model reliability

Effects of different slipping methods on the mortality of sardine, Sardina pilchardus, after purse-seine capture off the Portuguese Southern coast (Algarve)