Ionian Sea Archipelago - Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries

Only one study has looked at the impact of fisheries on the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago ecosystem (Piroddi et al. 2010). An ecosystem approach has been constructed for the area to look at the cause of observed decline of important top predators (Bearzi et al. 2006). In particular the ecosystem approach was built to assess the effect of fisheries on the short-beaked common dolphin and its prey (mainly forage fish) and to evaluate the effects of combined fishing and environment (changes in nutrient concentration) on important target species (e.g., sardine, anchovy, hake).

Despite the obvious deterioration of the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago ecosystem and the existence of national and international frameworks to support management actions in the area (e.g., the area was included by the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment in the Natura 2000 network under the European Commission Habitats Directive), no practical management measures have been adopted in the area to improve the current ecosystem status, nor have ecosystem-model-based decision support systems been implemented.