Gulf of Lions hake trawl fishery – Spain

Overview 

	SPECIES Hake, Merluccius merluccius
	FISHING GEAR Bottom trawl

Fishery

This fishery operates using bottom trawling where cone-shaped nets are dragged behind a vessel. Divergent panels, located at the front of the trawl net, allow it to open up horizontally. The top opening of the trawl net is ensured by floats attached to its upper part. A footrope attached to the bottom of the trawl net ensures it has contact with the sea floor.

Stock areas are mainly situated along the edges of underwater canyons in the Gulf of Lions.

Pre-assessment results

Results of the MSC pre-assessment, conducted using the precautionary principle (bar filled = benchmark achieved). Only some of the data is presented here. For a full listing of the results, please visit the Medfish website.

STRENGTHS	POINTS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Management measures in place to regulate unwanted by-catch: limits placed on fishing activities, minimum size, spatio-temporal fishery closures Scientific stock assessment available Measures in place to limit impact on stock areas: canyons of the Gulf of Lions considered as vulnerable marine ecosystems	Lack of information about catch composition Poor stock levels, high fishing mortality Compliance with regulations: minimum landing size, mesh size and spacial and temporal closures Lack of a long-term fisheries management plan

> Download this fishery factsheet

> Read the pre-assessment report of this fishery