Page 41 - Fishery_Regimes_2005

EMPAFISH Booklet nº 2 Fishery regimes in Atlanto-Mediterranean European MPAs

MPA: Cerbère-Banyuls

Location: 42º 29'N 03º 09'E
Country: France
Coastal/Island: Coastal
Total size: 617.4 ha
Integral size: 65 ha
Year of establishment: 1974
Depth range: 0 – 60 m
Protection objectives: Conservation
Type of MPA: Partial
Habitats: Rock reef, coraligene
Socio-economic activities: Recreational fishing, tourism, scuba
diving

Activities Integral Reserve (IR) Buffer Zone
Forbidden Fishing, scuba diving, Spear fishing
angling, spear fishing,
anchoring
Restricted Boating, scientific research Fishing, angling, anchoring,
boating, scientific research
Allowed Swimming Swimming, scuba diving

Description of the fisheries in and around the MPA:

The marine reserve was created in 1974 in order to slow down the
unreasoned exploitation of the sea, involved in a significant
degradation of fauna and marine flora. At this period, the 2 principal
cause were the trawlers working near the coasts and destroying the
spawning grounds as well as the animal and fixed flora species, and
tourism which, while constituting a considerable share of the local
incomes, had led to an anarchistic development of fishing and pleasure
sailing, underwater fishing and scuba diving.
With these disturbances, it is advisable to add pollution: domestic
pollution in an area which was deprived of any means of purification of
the used water directly rejected at sea; chemical pollution related to
the development of the agricultural treatments; use of toxic paintings
anti-stains on the boats hulls ; rejection at sea of hydrocarbons by the
pleasure boats or professionals.
To achieve a sustainable fishery allowing local artisanal fishermen and
to restore environment, the MPA was divided, in 1977, in two part:
integral reserve, in which all fishing activities are forbidden; partial
reserve, in which, artisanal fishery is regulate.
Artisanal fleet, 6 fishermen on 4 vessels, is completely traditional and
original. This fishery gathers all the units not practising professionally
trawling or fishing with the seine of the pelagic resources. These boats,
using a whole range of fixed or mobile gear, have varied

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