A spatio-temporal ecosystem model to simulate fishing management plans: A case of study in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia). (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Halouani, Ghassen; Abdou, Khaled; Hattab, Tarek; Romdhane, Mohamed Salah; Ben Rais Lasram, Frida; Le Loc'h, François
• Is Part Of: Marine policy. Volume 69(2016)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Ecospace -- Fishery management -- Gulf of Gabes -- Fishing regulation -- Ecosystem model; Marine resources -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Marine resources -- Economic aspects; Periodicals; 333.916405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2016.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-597X

Abstract

Abstract: The Gulf of Gabes located in southern Tunisia is one of the most productive ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its ecological importance, it is subject to high fishing pressure affecting the different components of the ecosystem. Given the multispecies, multigear nature of the fishery, there is a need to manage trade-offs between environmental and economic objectives. In this study, an Ecospace model was developed based on the previously constructed Ecopath model of the Gulf of Gabes and calibrated for the period 1995–2008 to investigate the response of the ecosystem to a set of alternative spatial management scenarios. These scenarios were derived from the current fishery regulation owing the important interest expressed by local fishery managers to assess new management measures. The results showed for each management scenario how bottom trawling and coastal fishing impact the different trophic groups and the complexity of interaction between these two fishing activities. Furthermore, spatially explicit simulations were performed to identify regions where the management measures are effective. Results suggested that for some trophic groups, these regions are well-defined which would be interesting to propose more accurate spatial measures. Finally, several indicators were calculated to evaluate the proposed management plans and provide managers with a straightforward set of decision rules to describe the potential trade-offs and fulfill both fisheries and conservation management objectives in the context of an ecosystem approach. The decision rules were based on observed trends to reduce uncertainty relative to the model complexity and provide consistent advice to decision-makers. Graphical abstract: Highlights: An Ecospace model was developed for the Gulf of Gabes. Spatial management measures were simulated to explore the ecosystem response. The interaction between offshore bottom trawling and coastal fishing was evaluated. Regions where the management measures are effective were defined. A decision support tool was developed to improve the current fishery regulation