PROJECT No 96/065: COMPARATIVE FIXED GEAR SELECTIVITY STUDIES IN PORTUGAL AND GREECE

Small scale, artisanal fisheries are of great importance in Portugal and in Greece, involving the use of large numbers of small fishing vessels and employing significant numbers of fishers. These fisheries are characterised by the use of many different gears, with gill-nets, trammel nets and long-lines being the most important in both countries. The catch composition of different fishing operations depends largely on the species and size selection characteristics of the gear used. Other relevant factors include target species, the fishing grounds, the time of the year, and the fishing strategy. Because the same gear used under different circumstances may result in very different catches, the term ‘métier’ is often used to distinguish particular fishing operations based on the above combination of factors.