engleski

Effects of scallop dredging on a benthic community in the NW coastal region of Istria

The scallop dredging by use of rapido gear in the northern Adriatic Sea is widespread for fishing mainly scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) in sandy areas and flatfish (Solea vulgaris) in muddy areas. In the Adriatic Sea, P. jacobaeus is spread along western coastal region of Istria as a constitutive element of the benthic communities, at depths between 12 – 72 m. considering the shallowness of the Northern Adriatic Sea the population of scallop is very dense, especially in fishing zone A (north-west coastal region of Istria). The use of rapido gear also has major environmental effects on non-commercial species, on epi- and infaunal organisms and on the physical environment. This study was carried out as a part of project SosPEco - Valutazione della Sostenibilit&agrave ; ; di nuove strategie co-gestionali di Pesca mediante un approccio Ecosistemico. The aims of this study were to evaluate effects of rapido dredging on the benthic community through commercial and non commercial catch (by-catch). Fieldwork took place over two year period on 3 different fishing areas in the zone A. At each fieldwork rapido trawl were towed 20-25 times depends of fishing area at a depth of 25 - 30 m. Each haul weighted, in total 200-300 kg participated by 10% in total weight. In total commercial catch the most abundant taxa were: Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, Crustacea and Pisces. Apart from P. jacobaeus four species dominated: Eleodone moschata, Solea vulgaris, Sepia officinalis and Ostrea edulis. Classification analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity clearly separated all three areas, suggesting higher affinity between habitats dominated by P. jacobaeus from habitat dominated by O. edulis. Benthic communities in by-catch were represented with 3 dominant species: Aequipecten opercularis, Ophiotrix sp., Microcosmus sp. In order to avoid to catch non commercial species the selectivity of rapido gear should be consider.

scallop dredging; Pecten jacobaeus; benthic community; Istria

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