Gulf of Lions - Exploitation

Marine resources have been exploited since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean Sea, although in the last decades the development of fishing technologies and the increasing demand for marine resources have generated greater pressure on marine resources. Current analyses suggest that most demersal and pelagic stocks in the Mediterranean Sea are fully exploited or overexploited (FAO, 2009). The Gulf of Lions is productive area accounting for 90% of landings by Mediterranean French fisheries. Between 1970 and 2005 mean annual catches amounted to 35,000 tonnes, comprised of 50% pelagic species and 50% bottom species. In this area many species of commercial interest have been intensively exploited for decades on the continental shelf and upper slope by the French and Spanish fleets using multispecies artisanal gears such as benthic and pelagic trawlers, purse seines, gillnets and other gears. Currently, European pilchard and European anchovy account for 50% of the landed catch in the Gulf of Lions. Other species such as Atlantic mackerel, European hake, poor cod, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and some molluscs also have high landings. Recently, new management measures for the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery have been adopted which include a 95% decrease in fishing effort by purse seiners (> 24m) and cessation of fishing effort of gillnetters targeting tuna. These measures follow the implementation in 2007 of more rigorous management regulations by ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas). Scientific aerial surveys of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Lions between 2009 and 2011 have shown a significant increase in abundance compared to the period 2000-2003.