Chapter Gaiola Underwater Park: small-scale fisheries monitoring and mitigation of illegal fishing within the FEAMP project

Abstract

This work aims to show the results obtained with the FEAMP Project, realized under the measure 1.40, in particular, results and data concerning the third target of the project: “Mitigation and fishing effort”. The study was conducted alongside the coastal sector of the city of Naples, with special attention to the coastal area within the Marine Protected Area Gaiola Underwater Park and the SAC IT8030041- Gaiola and Nisida Seabeds. The project involved small-scale fishermen, members of the two cooperatives of the Naples fleet. Data on fishing effort and fishing areas were collected, in relation to the different types of fishing gear used. Data were gathered from August to October 2023, by monitoring the catch at landings. The data were related to the trends concerning illegal fishing within the MPA, showing the benefits on the catch for the small-scale fisheries due to the activities of protection carried out in the MPA.