February 2020 – Stakeholders Workshop “Socio-ecological analyses of the pelagic system of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, focusing on the dynamics o small pelagic fish and fisheries” (ICM-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain)

The Workshop “Socio-ecological analyses of the pelagic system of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, focusing on the dynamics o small pelagic fish and fisheries” was held at the Institute of Marine Science (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain, the 22th of February 2020.

Organizers: Marta Coll, Marta Albo Puigserver, Joan Giménez, Elena Lloret Lloret, Jeff Dambacher

The general objective of the workshop was to create a dialogue between stakeholders of the pelagic system of the Northwest Mediterranean Sea; focusing on the dynamics of small commercial pelagic fish (targeting sardine and anchovy) and the fishing activity associated with them.

The workshop started with a scientific overview of the current knowledge derived from several research projects. Then, factors and processes that may be affecting our understanding of the dynamics of the pelagic system were identified. Finally, stakeholders mentioned and discussed several proposals to improve the management of the fishing resource. The analysis was done from an ecological, social, economic and fisheries management perspective. All the information was integrated using qualitative network modelling techniques with the assistance of Dr. Jeffrey Dambacher, from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), (Tasmania, Australia).

Sixteen stakeholders representing the fisheries sector, scientific institutions, environmental organizations and the regional administration participated in the workshop.