Regional Bycatch of Long-lived Species (Sea Birds, Marine Mammals, and Sea Turtles) in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

Abstract

The Mediterranean and Black Seas region includes twenty-two countries, three continents, and 26,000 kilometers of coast. About 80%, or 32,950 vessels, are less than 12 meters in length, and thus characterized as small-scale artisanal fisheries that include trawls, drift nets, purse seines, longlines, and gillnets. According to the IUCN Red List of threatened species, one seabird, 18 marine mammals, and four sea turtles are species of importance. The region provides important habitat for air-breathing marine vertebrates, many of which are imperiled, including the nearly extinct Mediterranean monk seal. Bottom and surface longline fishing in the region primarily cause seabird mortality. Dolphin populations have declined due to a variety of factors, including entanglement in gill nets. Various other mammals are critically endangered. Sea turtle bycatch mortality rates range from 10%-50% in a variety of fisheries. Thus, collaboration from the variety of Mediterranean countries will be required to reduce bycatch by fishers.