Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

How COVID-19 pandemic affected fisheries (catch volume and price): a case study in Europe

Publication . Seixas, Sónia; Verdelhos, Tiago; Veríssimo, Helena

Portugal, with the highest per capita fish consumption and expenditure in the European Union, provides an excellent case study for examining the effects of COVID-19 containment measures on fishing activity. The present study focused exclusively on data obtained from mainland Portugal, covering the years 2015–2021. The analysis included different time periods: namely, pre-lockdown, during lockdown, and post-lockdown. The primary objective was to investigate and gain insights into the potential effects of lockdown measures on the quantity (catch volume) and price ($/Kg) of different fish species groups. During the lockdown, professional fishermen experienced lower quantities, compared to the average of previous years (2015–2019), in some months (March, April and May), of tuna (− 44%: from 85 ton to 47 ton), small pelagic fish (− 41.8%: from 4510 ton to 2627 ton), crustaceans (− 31.9%: from 94 ton to 64 ton), and bivalves (− 33.5%: from 412 ton to 274) being landed. Although prices fluctuated, only crustaceans showed a significant decrease in value (− 34.8%: from 14.85$/Kg to 9.68 $/Kg). Groundfish, flatfish, cephalopods, and other marine fish groups did not experience any significant impacts on landing quantities. Although there was some recovery in catch volume and market prices in the post- closure period, indicating a certain level of resilience in the sector, the socio-economic context indirectly exacerbated the profitability challenges faced by the fishing industry due to COVID-19. Given the potential for future socio-economic crises, policymakers (e.g., country government) and stakeholders (e.g., Fishers’ associations, HORECA) should prepare comprehensive and easily implementable measures to strengthen the sector and minimize potential disruptions.

2024-01Journal article

Open access

Incorporation of abandoned and lost fishing gear into the structure of Dendrophyllia ramea in the Atlantic coast of Portugal

Publication . Seixas, Sónia; Parrinha, Joaquim; Gomes, Pedro; Bessa, Filipa

Plastic pollution poses global and societal concerns, especially from discarded fishing gear, threatening seabed environments like coral reefs. This study examines the incorporation of lost and/or abandoned fishing gear - specifically synthetic lines, and filaments - into the structure of orange tree coral, Dendrophyllia ramea along the coast of Portugal, in the North-East Atlantic Ocean. The specimens were inadvertently captured by local fishers (Sines and Cascais), with 6 % showing filaments inside their structure, raising questions about their potential impact on coral health. We discuss the implications of understanding the interactions between plastics, fishing gear, and corals, which is important for developing conservation strategies. We address the need for improved of measures aimed at reducing the impact of fishing gear on corals, emphasizing the importance of endorsing biodegradable fishing materials and supporting lost gear retrieval initiatives. Furthermore, we emphasize the urgent need to communicate these issues to both fishers and stakeholders.

2024Journal article

Open access

Pseudechidna brummeri: an unexpected discovery in the North-East Atlantic raises concerns

Publication . Parrinha, Joaquim; Seixas, Sónia

Global changes are currently underway, resulting in the discovery and introduction of new species in unexpected locations. One notable case involves the Indo-Pacific species Pseudechidna brummeri, which was observed and captured on film during a nocturnal dive in Portugal. This situation raises the question: How did this species come to inhabit this area? Two primary explanations appear plausible: a) The species may have been introduced through ship ballast water, a common pathway for the unintentional transport of aquatic organisms. Given the proximity of a large port, this possibility gains significance. b) Alternatively, the species could have originated from a home aquarium, a factor that remains poorly understood. The potential for species to escape or be released from aquariums into natural ecosystems is an area that requires further investigation. Another pertinent question to consider is whether there is only one individual of this species or if there are more individuals present?

2023-10-08Journal article

Open access

Putting fishing communities on the map in ICES ecoregions

Publication . Kraan, Marloes; Himes-Cornell, Amber; Pedreschi, Debbi; Motova, Arina; Hamon, Katell; Pita, Cristina; Ballesteros, Marta; Barz, Fanny; Fonseca, Tereza; García-De-Vinuesa, Alfredo; Guitierrez, Angel; Jackson, Emmet; Lam, Mimi; Norman, Karma; Seixas, Sónia; Steins, Nathalie

This paper highlights the importance of identifying fishing communities for fisheries and ecosystem-based management, which often focuses on fleets and ecological impacts rather than on the communities where fishers live and land their catches. Fishing communities are key to understanding the broader impacts and benefits of fishing, as they support many livelihoods in fleet and trade-related activities. Recognizing these communities, allows for better data collection, analysis, and informed policy-making. ICES WGSOCIAL developed a method to identify fishing communities across ICES ecoregions, first applied in the Celtic Seas and North Sea ecosystem o verviews. These o verviews describe ecosystems, identify human pressures, and assess their impact. Using fishing ports as proxies, our method links socio-economic indicators (e.g. landings value) to communities. We identify limitations to our methods and explore the complexities of defining a ‘fishing community’ due to its dynamic, multidimensional nature. We discuss next steps for improving our mapping approach and deepening our understanding of the social, cultural, and economic value of fishing, and why these matter for applied marine science in support of policy and management.

2025-07Journal article

Open access