Small-scale fishers' perception of the implementation of the EU Landing Obligation regulation in the outermost region of the Azores.

ABSTRACT

The archipelago of the Azores (mid-north Atlantic Ocean) is an outermost region of the European Union (EU) in which small-scale fisheries are a strong component of the local economy. Bottom longlining and handlining are the most important Azorean fisheries in landing values, fishing vessels and fishers. Despite their high selectivity and low discards, these fisheries can be highly impacted by the implementation of the Landing Obligation (LO). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Azorean small-scale fishers to document their perceptions about discards and the LO, and to ascertain the mitigation measures they already implement or could further implement to avoid unwanted catch. Results suggest that most fishers strongly oppose the LO, perceiving it as inadequate to their fisheries. Several discard avoidance measures are already commonly used by most fishers, of which hook size and changing areas where there are too many undersized or over-quota individuals, are believed to be the most efficient. Additional measures to further improve selectivity and avoid unwanted catch appear limited. The recent conversion of many bottom longliners to handlining and the exemptions foreseen as part of the LO for the region might help Azorean fishers to mitigate the potential impacts of the LO.