Éditeur(s) : Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Rennes
Résumé : Long-line fishing has been growing on the island of La Réunion since the beginning of the 1990s. The target species is the swordfish (Xiphias gladius), fished mainly in the tropical waters surrounding the island between longitudes 45 degree E and 60 degree E, and latitudes 17 degree S and 27 degree S. From 1998 to 2000, a finalised research programme enabled the collection of precise data concerning the lines' positions and the parameters of the fishing efforts: 3,602 nettings were thus informed by the catches (in numbers of individuals caught) and 12 descriptive variables of the effort. In parallel with this collection effort, satellite maps that described the ocean's landscape of this region of the Indian Ocean exploited by La Réunion's fisheries were made available to sailors and scientists. Extractions from these environmental variables were made at the fishing lines' positions, which allowed us to propose 20 variables describing the environmental conditions of swordfish catches applied to the nettings. In an early part of this study, after a descriptive analysis and a first selection of the variables, we used several GAM (Generalised Additive Models) to model the respective effects of effort and environmental variables on the variability of swordfish catches. We thus highlighted the predominance of factors linked to fishermen (fishing effort) on oceanographic factors in the explanation of this variability. Following these results, a summary on the biology and ecology of the swordfish was proposed in order to draw up hypotheses on the characteristics of this species' population in the Indian Ocean. The aspects linked to the individual behaviour and movements of the population were particularly highlighted. In a latter part of this study and in order to complete the empirical approach by an exploratory constructivist approach, we proposed a modelling tool in order to simulate the possible movements of individuals within the oceanic landscape described by the available satellite maps. After reading in the literature about the various forms of modelling the movements of the large pelagics, we developed an original computer modelling architecture of the multi-agent type that made it possible to manipulate in a dynamic way the satellite maps (and derived products), the individual movements of "animats" whose behaviours were based on this environmental information, and agents that clarify the process of long-line fishing in a geographical way. The computer model that was implemented (MUFINS, for MUlti-Fish INdian ocean Simulator) was next used by calibrating the behaviour of the animats on the real data originally from the analysis of commercial catches proposed in the first part, using robust techniques based on fuzzy logic. The results of the simulations were compared, on the one hand, with the large-scale hypotheses of movement proposed in the first part, and, on the other hand, to swordfish catches both real and corrected for the effect of the fishing effort modelled by the GAM models. Even if the results of these simulations in this study do not allow for proposing convincing interpretations of the underlying processes, the MUFINS tool showed its ability to address questions associated with the swordfish's behaviour in the tropical oceanic landscape and to the effects of scale transfers between the individual level and the collective level. We now envisage its use in a more operational framework, as an interface for dialogue between fishermen and scientists with a goal of sustainable management of the resource.
La peche palangriere s'est developpee a l'ile de La Reunion depuis le debut des annees 1990. L'espece cible est l'espadon (Xiphias gladius), principalement exploite dans les eaux tropicales autour de l'ile entre les longitudes 45 degree E et 60 degree E, et les latitudes 17 degree S et 27 degree S. De 1998 a 2000, un programme de recherche finalisee a permis de collecter des informations precises concernant les positions des lignes et les parametres de l'effort de peche : 3602 filages sont ainsi renseignes par les captures (en nombre d'individus captures) et 12 variables descriptives de l'effort. En parallele de cet effort de collecte, des cartes satellitales ont pu etre mises a la disposition des marins et des scientifiques, decrivant le paysage oceanique de cette region de l'ocean Indien exploitee par la pecherie reunionnaise. Des extractions de ces variables environnementales ont ete effectuees aux positions des lignes de peche, nous permettant de proposer 20 variables descriptives des conditions environnementales de captures d'espadon appliquees aux filages. Dans une premiere partie de ce travail, apres une analyse descriptive et une premiere selection des variables, on a modelise par plusieurs modeles GAM (Generalized Additive Models) les effets respectifs des variables d'effort et des variables environnementales sur la variabilite des captures d'espadon. On a ainsi mis en evidence la predominance des facteurs lies aux pecheurs (effort de peche) sur les facteurs oceanographiques dans le caractere explicatif de cette variabilite. A la suite de ces resultats, une synthese sur la biologie et l'ecologie de l'espadon a ete proposee afin de degager des hypotheses sur les caracteristiques de la population de cette espece dans l'ocean Indien. Les aspects lies au comportement individuel et aux deplacements de la population ont ete particulierement mis en evidence. Dans une deuxieme partie de ce travail et afin de completer l'approche empirique par une approche constructiviste exploratoire, nous avons propose un outil de modelisation afin de simuler les deplacements possibles d'individus au sein du paysage oceanique decrit par les cartes satellitales disponibles. Apres avoir passe en revue dans la litterature les differentes formes de modelisation des deplacements des grands, pelagiques, nous avons developpe une architecture originale de modelisation informatique de type multi-agents permettant de manipuler de maniere dynamique les cartes satellitales (et les produits derives), les mouvements individuels < d'animats >, dont les comportements sont bases sur cette information environnementale, et des agents qui explicitent le processus de capture palangriere de maniere geographique. Le modele informatique ainsi implemente (MUFINS, pour MUlti-Fish INdian ocean Simulator) a ensuite ete utilise en calibrant les comportements des animats sur les donnees reelles issues de l'analyse des captures commerciales proposee en premiere partie, a partir de techniques robustes basee sur la logique floue. Les resultats des simulations ont ete confrontes d'une part aux hypotheses de deplacement a grande echelle proposees en premiere partie, et d'autre part aux captures d'espadon reelles et corrigees de l'effet de l'effort de peche modelise par les modeles GAM. Meme si les resultats de simulations presentes dans ce travail ne permettent pas de proposer d'interpretations convaincantes des processus sous-jacents, l'outil MUFINS a demontre son aptitude a aborder les questions liees au comportement de l'espadon dans le paysage oceanique tropical et aux effets des transferts d'echelle entre le niveau individuel et le niveau collectif. On envisage desormais son utilisation dans un cadre plus operationnel, comme interface de dialogue entre les pecheurs et les scientifiques a des fins de gestion durable de la ressource.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2005/these-2592.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2592/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The Nephrops trawl fishery is one of the most important fisheries in the Bay of Biscay. The fishery management essentially relies on conservation measures, a total at I owed catch (TAC) for Nephrops together with a mini mum landing size (MLS) and minimum trawl mesh size (70 mm stretched mesh). These measures have failed to prevent high discard levels of many species that characterize the fishery. Nephrops trawlers thus discard about half of their Nephrops catches in numbers (a third in weight) of which only 30% survive. Nephrops discards mainly occur in younger Nephrops age groups below the MLS. This is a waste for the already overexploited Nephrops stock as well as for the fleet. Based on a bio-economic simulation model, the paper analyses the consequences of several scenarios of improving Nephrops selectivity. The potential impacts of these scenarios on Nephrops biomass, landings, discards and economic indicators (e.g. rent) are examined and a cost-benefit analysis of each scenario is carried out. We show that a better exploitation pattern would benefit fisheries that have high level of discards. Reducing non-commercial Nephrops discards leads to positive net present values of rent with better value realized from the production potential and limited short-term losses for the fishing units. By taking account of the economic dynamics of increasing effort however, we show that selectivity measures are insufficient. Regulating access to the fishery is also required to ensure the sustainability of the fishery and a better exploitation of the production potential. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier), 2008-07 , Vol. 92 , N. 1 , P. 76-89

Droits : 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-4478.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2007.12.021
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4478/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : In the Caribbean, snappers (Lutjanidae) and groupers (Serranidae) are often heavily exploited by artisanal or industrial fisheries. This paper analyzes the catches of an artisanal fishery selectively targeting these species with a moderate fishing pressure in the Bay Islands (Honduras), and discusses the implications on the understanding of the early stages of development of reef fisheries. Although snappers and groupers are targeted with handlines and spearguns in the whole archipelago, the differences in species diversity and size structure of the catch reveals various exploitation patterns. In most areas, a depletion is observed for the most vulnerable snapper and grouper species, and most other species are mainly exploited in their juvenile phase; clear signs of an intensification process are apparent in one of the areas. The comparison of the relative production in the Bay Islands with other reef fisheries in the Caribbean suggests that higher values may be related to moderate fishing pressure and appropriate combinations of fishing effort and selectivity. This example shows how fisheries strictly targeting a high quality resource with selective fishing techniques can be quite productive even at high levels of effort, but also that they are progressively lead to broaden their species range (sooner or later at the expense of the most vulnerable, often large-sized, species) while increasingly using less selective gears.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier), 2005-06 , Vol. 73 , N. 1-2 , P. 159-169

Droits : 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2005/publication-512.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2004.12.008
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/512/

Résumé : In an effort to implement new fishing activities for the small scale fisheries of Reunion Island, a prospecting cruise targeting deep demersal fish (200 to 600 m) was set up on the west coast of Reunion Island in 2000. This project was carried out by the Regional Fishery Committee and the French Institute for the Exploration of the Sea (Ifremer). Large commercial stocks were identified, and numerous professional or recreational fishermen started employing electric winches to exploit these deep resources. However, the deep demersal species are a fragile resource due mainly to low growth rates and late sexual maturation. Due to the rapid increase in fishing pressure, Ifremer was asked to set up a new study and two scientific campaigns were carried out in 2011 (68 fishing trips being conducted with 559 dropline operations). The first cruise was conducted at the same sites, using the same types of fishing gear and methods used in 2000. A marked drop of greater than 90% was observed in the catches of commercial species, together with a decrease of most fish sizes, attesting the overexploitation of these stocks. Only, catches of the small non-commercial shark (Squalus megalops) remained important (50% in number and weight of total catches). The second cruise extended the prospection area to all waters surrounding Reunion Island . The overexploitation was confirmed in the west of Reunion Island, and in to a lesser degree in the north. Yields were better along the east and the south coasts. Concurrently, the efficiency of 2 hook sizes was compared : small hooks caught significantly more fish but of significantly smaller body sizes, resulting in comparable total weight of fish. We conclude that medium size hooks (i.e. type 7/0) have a significant selectivity on the fish size without loss in the global catch yield. Various types of baits were also tested with the flesh of small local pelagic fish species (Selar crumenophtalmus and Decapterus macarellus) appearing to be the most efficient. This study provides helpful indicators for the management of demersal fish stocks in Reunion island, which have been poorly surveyed and poorly regulated until now. However, the total fishing effort, especially from recreational fishermen, remains the most important factor to be quantified.
Dans la perspective de diversifier la Petite Pêche réunionnaise, une campagne de prospection des stocks de poissons démersaux profonds (200 à 600 m) avait été réalisée en 2000 par le Comité Régional des Pêches Maritimes (CRPM) et l'Institut Français de Recherche pour L'Exploitation de la Mer (Ifremer) dans l'ouest de l'île de La Réunion. Elle a montré l'existence de stocks commercialement intéressants et de nombreux pêcheurs, professionnels et plaisanciers se sont équipés en moulinets électriques pour exploiter ces ressources profondes. Cependant les poissons démersaux profonds représentent une ressource fragile du fait, notamment, de leur croissance lente et de leur maturité sexuelle tardive. Aussi, face à cette augmentation rapide de la pression de pêche, Ifremer a été sollicité pour mener une nouvelle étude ; et deux nouvelles campagnes expérimentales ont été réalisées en 2011 (68 marées ayant permis la réalisation de 559 filages). La première campagne a repris les mêmes sites de pêche, le même matériel et la même méthodologie qu’en 2000. Elle montre que les rendements en espèces commerciales ont diminué de façon très nette (plus de 90%) ainsi que la taille de certaines espèces, indicateurs caractéristiques d'une surexploitation des stocks. Seules les captures de requins zépines (Squalus megalops,) non commercialisées à La Réunion, restent comparables à celles de 2000 avec la moitié des captures totales. La 2e campagne a étendu la prospection à tout le tour de l'île. La surpêche (baisse des rendements et des tailles de poisson) est confirmée dans l'ouest et à un moindre degré sur la côte nord. Les rendements sont meilleurs dans l'est et le sud. Parallèlement, 2 tailles d'hameçons ont été comparées : les petits hameçons capturent un nombre significativement plus élevé de poissons par filage, mais de tailles plus petites, ce qui se traduit par un poids global comparable. Les hameçons de taille moyenne (type 7/0) ont donc une sélectivité significative sur la taille des poissons capturés sans nuire au rendement global. Des comparaisons ont aussi porté sur les types d'appât : Les laizes de petits pélagiques locaux (pêche-cavale et bancloche) se révèlent les plus efficaces et les plus sélectives vis-à-vis des espèces commerciales. Cette étude fournit des indicateurs utiles à la gestion des stocks démersaux jusqu'ici peu étudiés et peu encadrés. Mais la grande inconnue reste l'effort de pêche total sur cette ressource et notamment celui des pêcheurs plaisanciers.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00098/20902/18837.pdf
DOI:10.13155/20902
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00098/20902/

Résumé : Marine capture fisheries in Jamaica is primarily artisanal in nature ansd is conducted maiinly by fishermen operating from canoes. Approximately 95% of these fishermen operate on the coastal shelf and its associated banks. The commercial species harvested comprise bottom-dwelling, coral reef species and free swimming species of finfish. Other fishery resources of commercial value include marine shrimp, conch and lobsters. Catch statistics are not available for all species, but the Department of Fisheries reports a slight decline in fishery production with production decreasing from 16 milion lbs in 1990, despite the fact that fishing efforts have doubled. Over this period the number of registered fishermen has grown from 12 000 to 16 000, al of whom are engaged in full-time fishing. There arealso part-time fishermen who are not registered. The decline in fish catch is accompanied by a decrease in fish size and quality, suggesting that the fisheries are under pressure and have already exceeded optimum production in relation to vailable resources. As a result the economic returns to fishermen are declining. There are also other problems, such as high incidence of conflicts among fishermen at sea, the high cost of purchasing boats, outboard engine fuel, and equipment, with together with the dangers involved in fishing offshore (piracy, and praedial larceny) create serious social ans economic difficulties for fishermen. Notwithstanding, there is an apparent move on the part of the fishermen to leave the industryor to seek alternative forms of employment. In fact, the Department ofFisheries reports that it is still reciving applications for new licences to operate fishing boats. This is probably due to the fact that where the basis of a community is fishing, it becomes difficult to introduce alternative forms of employment, such as cottage industries, village crafts and other trades. In 1987 the Jamaica Department of Fisheries prepared a Management plan which proposed several conservation measures to promote the efficient use of fisheries resources and to control the development of the Fishery in such a way that the country would receive highest benefits. Adequate attention was given to limitations on fishing gear, institution of closed seasons and related legislation. Strategies to diversify the marine fishing were also proposed. The 1990 five year Devlopment Plan for marine fisheries also focuses on proper resource management in order to reverse trends associated with the overexploitation of marine resources. According to the plan, emphasis will be placed on inland fisheries and mariculture in order to reduce pressure on the fisheries. Inland fisheries in the form of freshwater fish fanning has expanded significantly over the past 10 years with production increasing from less than 0,5 million lbs. in 1980 to in excess of 6.0 million lbs. in 1989. However, some freshwater fish farmers are already experiencing serious competition for water usage and, to a lesser extent for land from crop-producing farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture is of the view that marine cage culture technologically has the potential for introduction in Jamaica . This technologyhas been successfully developed in Norway and the technology is currentlty being experimentally utilized in several countries in the area. The technology, if widely utilized in Jamaica, couls significantly reduce pressure on fisheries, making fishing more cost effective and improve the economic returns to fishermen. Already there exist some technical and institutional capabilities in Jamaica to support commercial development of marine cage culture. The Department of Fisheries has highly trained personnel in aquaculture and marine fisherie, some of whom are directly responsible for the success of freshwater fish fanning. In adition, the Marine Laboratory at the Univesity of the West Indies (UWI) is caarying research on hatchery facilities for marine cage farming. The Department of Fisheries will seek the collaboration ofg the marine unit at UWI which could provide fingerlings of selected marine species for cage 1
Les pêcheries de captage marin en Jamaïque sont principalement de nature artisanale et elles sont dirigées principalement par les pêcheurs qui travaillent depuis des canoës. Environ 95 % de ces pêcheurs travaillent sur la plaine côtière et ses bancs associés. Les espèces commerciales récoltées comprennent les espèces benthiques, les espèces de corail et les espèces de poisson marin de nage libre. D'autres ressources de pêcheries de valeur commerciale comprennent la crevette, la conque et le homard. Les statistiques des pêches ne sont pas disponibles pour toutes les espèces, mais le Département des Pêcheries fait état d'une légère réduction de production de pêcheries, la production se réduisant de 16 millions de livres en 1990, en dépit du fait que les efforts de la pêche ont doublé. Sur cette période le nombre de pêcheurs inscrits a augmenté de 12 000 à 16 000, dont tous sont occupés à plein temps à la pêche. Il y a aussi des pêcheurs à mi-temps qui ne sont pas inscrits. La réduction des pêches est accompagnée d'une réduction de la taille et la qualité des poissons, ce qui implique que les pêcheries sont sous pression et qu'elles ont déjà dépassé la production optimum par rapport aux ressources disponibles. En conséquence, les rendements pour les pêcheurs sont en baisse. Il y a aussi d'autres problèmes, tels qu'un taux élevé de conflits entre les pêcheurs en mer, le coût élevé pour acheter les bateaux, le combustible pour les moteurs hors-bord, et le matériel, ainsi que les dangers impliqués dans la pêche offshore (le piratage, et le vol prédial) ont créé de graves problèmes sociaux et économiques pour les pêcheurs. Néanmoins, il y a une tendance évidente chez les pêcheurs de quitter l'industrie ou de chercher du travail dans d'autres domaines. En fait, le Département des Pêcheries signale qu'il continue de recevoir des demandes de nouveaux permis pour opérer les bateaux de pêche. Ceci est probablement attribuable au fait que là où la base d'une communauté est la pêche, il est difficile d'y introduire des formes alternatives de travail, telles que l'industrie artisanale, l'artisanat de village ou d'autres métiers. Le Département des Pêcheries de la Jamaïque a préparé en 1987 un Projet de gestion qui proposait plusieurs mesures de conservation afin d'encourager l'utilisation efficace des ressources des pêcheries et de contrôler le développement de la Pêcherie de manière que le pays touche le plus de bénéfices. Une attention adéquate a été prêtée aux limitations sur les engins de la pêche, l'établissement de saisons de clôture et les législations associées. Des stratégies pour diversifier la pêche marine ont aussi été proposées. Le Plan de développement quinquennal de 1990 pour les pêcheries marines met l'accent aussi sur la gestion de ressources appropriée afin de faire reculer les tendances associées à la surexploitation des ressources marines. Selon le plan, l'accent sera mis sur les pêcheries intérieures et la mariculture afin de réduire la pression sur les pêcheries. Les pêcheries intérieures, sous la forme de l'élevage de poissons en eau douce, ont pris leur essor sur les 10 dernières années avec une production qui s'est élevée de moins de 0,5 millions de livres en 1980 pour atteindre en 1989 plus de 6.0 millions de livres. Cependant, certains pisciculteurs en eau douce expérimentent déjà une concurrence sérieuse avec les agriculteurs pour l'usage de l'eau et, dans une moindre mesure, de la terre. Le Ministère de l'Agriculture est de l'avis que l'élevage en cage marine a technologiquement le potentiel d'être introduit en Jamaïque. La technologie a été développée avec réussite en Norvège et plusieurs pays dans la région utilisent actuellement la technologie expérimentalement. La technologie, si elle était utilisée en Jamaïque, pourrait réduire de façon significative la pression sur les pêcheries, ce qui rendrait la pêche plus économique et améliorerait les rendements aux pêcheurs. Certaines capacités techniques et institutionnelles existent déjà en Jamaïque qui pourraient soutenir le développement de l'élevage en cage marine. Le Département des Pêcheries a un personnel bien formé en aquaculture et pêcherie marine, dont certains qui sont directement responsables du succès de la pisciculture en eau douce. Par ailleurs, le Laboratoire Marin à l'Université des Antilles (UWI) mène des recherches sur les installations d'écloseries pour l'élevage en cage marine. Le Département des Pêcheries demandera la collaboration de l'unité marine à l'UWI qui pourra fournir des saumoneaux d'espèces marines sélectionnées pour la cage 1.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/1993/rapport-1918.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1918/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : Small-scale fisheries have traditionally received less research effort than large-scale fisheries and are generally under-studied in Europe. In spite of their comparatively low volume of catches and economic importance, small-scale fisheries are socially important and an integral part of the European coastal zone. Considering the high heterogeneity of situations and the paucity of quantitative data, we used an analytical methodology based on the comparative method. We carried out an analysis of small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in Europe based on a selection of nine case studies. Our objective was to obtain a comprehensive description of small-scale fleets covering different areas/fisheries/species, encompassing the diversity and specific conditions under which SSFs operate, in order to demonstrate the ecological and social sustainability of this often overlooked fisheries segment. A common approach formulated so that the case studies could be compared with the case histories of other competing users, required that for each set of criteria – technical, biological, socio-economic, and institutional – a set of relevant items and indicators was established. An analysis of characteristics common to the selected case studies is conducted and an attempt made to extend our comparisons to the whole of the European Union. Our results show that (as compared with large-scale fleets, their main competitor) small-scale fleets: (i) are composed of smaller vessels and, consequently, travel lower distances to fishing grounds, and are more reliant on coastal areas; (ii) have smaller crews (although the global employment figure is similar to that of large-scale fleets in Europe); (iii) use mostly, but not exclusively, passive gears; (iv) use multi-purpose fishing approaches, and can change the fish species they target during the year; (v) have lower extraction rates; (vi) have lower total capital investments (including fishing rights), turnover and costs; and (vii) have lower fuel consumption, making them less sensitive to changing oil prices. Dependence on subsidies is lower (viii). Involvement in fisheries management is variable, conservation and access regulation measures are largely local in origin. For the selected case studies, the most significant competitors are large-scale fleets, and recreational fisheries, but other sources of interaction (water quality, invasive species, etc.) cannot be ignored.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2013-02 , Vol. 140 , P. 1-13

Droits : 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00118/22934/20757.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2012.11.008
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00118/22934/

Éditeur(s) : Cambridge Univ Press
Résumé : This paper offers a theoritical and empirical model of ecosystem-based fishery management. A multi-species and multi-fleet integrating Lotka-Volterra trophic dynamics as well as production and profit assessments is developed and applied to the coastal fishery of French Guiana. This small-scale fishery constitutes a challenging example with high fish biodiversity, several non-selective fleets and a potentially increasing local food demand due to demographic growth. The dynamic model is calibrated with 13 species and four fleets using monthly catch and effort data from 2006 to 2009. Several contrasted fishing scenarios including status quo, total closure, economic and viable strategies are then simulated. They are compared from the viewpoints of both biodiversity preservation and socioeconomic performance, assuming fixed landing prices and fixed costs. We show that fishing outputs, including food supply and fleet profitability, can be sustained on average but a loss of species cannot be avoided.
Environment And Development Economics (1355-770X) (Cambridge Univ Press), 2013-06 , Vol. 18 , P. 245-269

Droits : Cambridge University Press 2013
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00124/23483/21311.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00124/23483/21375.pdf
DOI:10.1017/S1355770X13000065
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00124/23483/