The problem

Reliable and effective fishery management and stock conservation is founded on a sound knowledge and understanding of fish-stock biology and ecology. This is no less true for the pelagic fish stocks of the EU’s Mediterranean seas than any other fish stock. To ensure long-tem sustainability, it is necessary to enhance the quality and quantity of biological information on pelagic fish stocks in the Mediterranean. Three major stocks in the northwestern Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean Seas should be studied.

Overview:

SARDONE will improve the assessment and management of pelagic fish stocks in the northwestern Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean Seas. The project will:

• Identify essential juvenile small pelagic fish habitats in relation to oceanographic and topographic features
• Standardise acoustic methods for estimating abundance of juvenile fish as indices of recruitment
• Assess the stock implications of fry fisheries
• Enhance understanding of factors affecting larval and juvenile biology
• Improve the selectivity of trawls used to catch small pelagic fish
• Facilitate knowledge transfer from comparable fisheries in other EU fishery areas

Contribution to policy development:

• SARDONE proposals will help to harmonise fishery management across the EU Mediterranean.
• Developing a more robust scientific basis for advice will underpin long-term sustainable management.
• Improved understanding will assist in the equitable allocation of resources to optimise the socio-economic benefits to the area.

Project deliverables

• Review of pelagic species nursery areas – March 2008
• Report on fry fishery data in NW Mediterranean and Adriatic – March 2008
• Conclusions from workshops – April 2008, October 2008, November 2009
• Project progress reviews – May 2008/2009
• Report on the application of acoustic and trawl surveys for estimating larval abundance – April 2009
• 3-D modelling of egg and larval drift – April 2009
• Project conclusions and Policy Implementation Plan – February 2010

Dissemination

• Website – throughout project
• Leaflet and newsletter – June 2007 and February 2010
• Presentation of results at formal and informal specialist and public meetings – as opportunities arise
• Submission of key findings to the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in addition to the EU and partner countries – as opportunities arise

Technical information

Project acronym: SARDONE
Project’s official full title: Improving assessment and management of small pelagic species in the Mediterranean
Research priority: Modernisation and sustainability of fisheries, including aquaculture-based production systems
Specific webpage: Details not yet available
Proposal/contract no: 44294
Start date: March 2007
Kick off meeting: March 2007
Completion date: February 2010
European Commission scientific officer: Petter Fossum, petter.fossum@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator: Enrico Arneri, e.arneri@ismar.cnr.it 
Name: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Scienze Marine
Abbreviated name: CNR - ISMAR
Address: Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125 Ancona
Country: Italy
Tel: +39 71 207881
Fax: +39 71 55313
Website: www.an.ismar.cnr.it

Partners

Name: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Instituto de Ciencias del Mar
Abbreviated name: CSIC - ICM
Country: Spain

Name: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Abbreviated name: HCMR
Country: Greece

Name: Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer
Abbreviated name: IFREMER
Country: France

Name: Instituto Tecnológico Pesquero y Alimentario – AZTI Fundazioa
Abbreviated name: AZTI - Tecnalia
Country: Spain