Anchovy and sardine fishing is being regulated in Mediterranean with new catch limits and a ban on fishing over threatened Posidonia seagrass beds under the Management Plan for the Conservation of the seafood resources of the Mediterranean Sea.
In an effort to help boost recovery of the seafood resources and to guarantee sustainable activity, the ministerial order prohibits capture “with trawler nets, dredgers and purse seiner nets on the beds of Posidonia Oceanica and in coralligenous and maërl beds.”
According to the new regulations, Spanish vessels in the ports of the Balearics and Andalusia will have to limit captures of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) to 7,000 kg weekly, and those of European pilchard (Sardine pilchardus), to 5,000 kg daily.
In the rest of the ports of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, 15,000 kg of anchovy per week and 5,000 kg of sardine per day will be allowed.
Vessels with purse seiner gear will only be able to execute one landing per day, except on the Andalusian coast and the Balearics, where they are permitted a maximum of two daily landings.
Purse seiner fishing vessels in the fishing-ground of the Mediterranean will be banned from fishing between 1 October and 31 March of every year within certain coordinates and the 45-metre isobaths.
Order 143/2010 also specifies a fishing prohibition of surface longliners from 1 October to 30 November of every year, and with bottom trawlers to depths over 1,000 metres in all the outer waters of the Mediterranean coast.

Come and assist with marine conservation to enjoy unlimited free scuba diving in the warm blue Mediterranean sea

EcoDiver

This is a great opportunity to rack up your dives and spend loads of time underwater. You can also practice underwater photography during your dives.
All levels of diver welcome (or you can undertake your diver training here with us in the warm, blue Mediterranean. All scuba courses available, in English, Spanish, French or German, from PADI Open Water to Divemaster Internships).

This is an ideal trip for the cost conscious diver, student, eco traveller, especially if you’re into marine biology & conservation and want to gain some underwater field experience.

For more info on joining in and becoming an Eco Dive volunteer visit the website