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In 2012, the majority of pelagic species were monitor areas of interest within the MPA. Our experience
Pomacentridae (94-98%), with Chromis chromis the suggests that few, essential monitoring parameters can
most represented fish species. Differently, in 2013 no be easily collected by non-experienced divers in a few
pelagic species were censused at 2 localities (Cala days, working at safety depths (no more than 15 metres).
Rossa W, Cala Monaci W), whereas in the other localities This approach is of great value to the MPAs interested in
Pomacentridae was the most abundant family, then gathering continuous and long-term data on the health
Centracanthidae and Atherinidae. No pelagic species status of the protected environment and in acquiring
were seen in the column water in 2014 in all localities. baseline information for the evaluation of protection and
Among necto-benthic species, in 2012, 2013, 2014 conservation actions.
Pomacentridae was the most abundant family at Cala The proposed monitoring method should be replicated
Rossa localities (Figure 9), whereas at Cala Monaci at least two times a year to gather significant and
localities many families contributed to fish assemblages. comparable data. Care should be devoted to accuracy
In 2013 and 2014, 3 localities of Cala Monaci displayed in sampling the same site, in the same month and, at least
a different fish composition, Labridae contributing by for fish abundance evaluation, at the same hour of the
80% at Cala Monaci W to fish assemblages. day. Moreover, in order to evaluate the AR effectiveness
it is mandatory that any follow-up monitoring program
lasts for at least 5 years. Improving the proposed
Conclusions method with the collection of data on the physical- Research & development
chemical water characteristics of the studied habitat
The results here reported, referring to the training could be easily achieved through the use of today’s
activities carried out in September 2012 and the easy-to-use probes, that can be deployed by personnel
monitoring activities carried out in May-June 2013 and onboard during dive time. Hence, the collected data
February 2014, have to be considered as the beginning can be stored in a database managed by the MPA and,
of the ongoing long-term monitoring prefigured for if needed, shared with a scientific institution for data
at least 5 years to evaluate effectiveness of Stopnet analysis and interpretation.
AR in limiting the impact of trawling on P. oceanica As far as we know, a first, clear indication of the
meadow at Favignana Island. In February 2014, ‘indirect’ dissuasive action performed through the
seagrass abundance parameters did not differ from AR deployment at Favignana is the 50% reduction of
those previously recorded and indicated high densities violations by illegal fishing trawlers recorded locally in
and cover such as those referred to good health 2014. Other management and conservation actions by
meadows [5]. Differences in abundance (%) of necto- the MPA and the Port authority -such as notification of
benthic fish families found during monitoring could illegal trawling sighting, fishing license suspension, in-
be determined, in addition to the natural variability of the-field control, vessel position tracking control based
fish assemblages [7], to sampling period. Performing on AIS data payment of penalty- could beneficially
periodic (seasonal) sampling activity is fundamental to complement.
establish the temporal distribution of fish assemblages
and to estimate their quantitative variation among Acknowledgements
periods, even if the factors influencing the distribution Thanks are due to the MPA Authority, the Municipality
are numerous and can apply at different scales [7]. of Favignana and the staff of the MPA that assisted with
Both the methods and parameters chosen for monitoring logistics for field activities. l
showed their reliability in training non-experienced Silvia Cocito, Chiara Lombardi, Andrea Peirano
personnel for data collection in MPA. One-week training ENEA, Sustainable Territorial and Production Systems Department
for divers with a good basic knowledge on fish taxonomy Stefano Donati, Pietro Patti Genovese, Niccolò Ponzè
and good diving skill is appropriate for a team to Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area, Favignana (Trapani)

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