Mediterranean Marine Science Vol. 9, 2008 Molluscan species of minor commercial interest in Hellenic seas: Distribution, exploitation and conservation status KATSANEVAKIS S. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Ispra LEFKADITOU E. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources, Agios Kosmas, P.C. 16610, Elliniko, Athens GALINOU-MITSOUDI S. Fisheries & Aquaculture Technology, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, 63200, Nea Moudania KOUTSOUBAS D. University of the Aegean, Department of Marine Science, University Hill, 81100 Mytilini ZENETOS A. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources, Agios Kosmas, P.C. 16610, Elliniko, Athens https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.145 Copyright © 2008 To cite this article: KATSANEVAKIS, S., LEFKADITOU, E., GALINOU-MITSOUDI, S., KOUTSOUBAS, D., & ZENETOS, A. (2008). Molluscan species of minor commercial interest in Hellenic seas: Distribution, exploitation and conservation status. Mediterranean Marine Science, 9(1), 77-118. doi:https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.145 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 27/09/2021 17:44:35 | Review Article Mediterranean Marine Science Volume 9/1, 2008, 77-118 Molluscan species of minor commercial interest in Hellenic seas: Distribution, exploitation and conservation status S. KATSANEVAKIS1, E. LEFKADITOU1, S. GALINOU-MITSOUDI2, D. KOUTSOUBAS3 and A. ZENETOS1 1 Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources, P.O. Box 712, 19013, Anavissos, Attica, Hellas 2 Fisheries & Aquaculture Technology, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, 63200, Nea Moudania, Hellas 3 Department of Marine Sciences, School of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81100, Mytilini, Hellas e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Recognising the need for data gathering at taxon level besides the taxa of commercial interest and those listed as endangered in the Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, but still exploited by Man, the present study attempts to gather and review the available scientific information on molluscs of minor commercial importance in order to assist in the adequate management and protection of their popula- tions. Forty one species (18 gastropods, 13 bivalves, and 10 cephalopods) of minor commercial interest are treated in the present work with details on their biogeographic distribution, exploitation and conser- vation status in Hellas. Apart from a few species (e.g., Pinna nobilis, Lithophaga lithophaga, Donacilla cornea), and these only at a local scale, there is no population assessment in Hellenic seas. The existing legislation for eleven of these species is not enforced in practice, and seems insufficient to guarantee their conservation. It is suggested that targeted collection data, networked nationally and internationally, should be promoted so this invaluable source of biodiversity information can be accessed for conserva- tion and planning purposes. Keywords: Mollusca exploitation; Conservation; Hellas. Introduction the development of high density human populations near the coast has resulted in Exploitation of mollusca as food and as unprecedented and unsustainable levels of ornaments in Hellas has a history dating pressure nowadays. Unfortunately, sea- back to the Paleolithic age (SHACKLE- shells are collected in those areas least TON & VAN ANDEL, 2007). However, capable of withstanding exploitation. While Medit. Mar. Sci., 9/1, 2008, 77-118 77 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 27/09/2021 17:44:35 | shelled mollusca are heavily exploited, some have been destructive and have caused a cephalopod species are impacted by uncon- significant decline in the Mediterranean trolled and unreported fishing, which may populations of several species (e.g., Pinna have a significant effect on their populations. nobilis) and have brought others to near A total of 1160 mollusc species (1 extinction (e.g., Patella ferruginea) Solenogastra, 2 Caudofoveata, 771 Gas- (BOUDOURESQUE, 2004). In addition, tropoda, 308 Bivalvia, 19 Polyplacophora, basic knowledge on the biology and ecolo- 12 Scaphopoda and 47 Cephalopoda) have gy of these species is either lacking or is been recorded so far in Hellenic seas scattered in the literature. (KOUTSOUBAS, 2004; CHINTIRO- The red list species approach to con- GLOU et al., 2005; ZENETOS et al., 2005; servation requires detailed knowledge LEFKADITOU, 2007; DELAMOTTE & concerning individual taxa (distribution, VARDALA-THEODOROU, 2007). A declines, threatening processes, biological total of 27 of these species (seventeen attributes, etc.). However, it addresses bivalves, four gastropods and six only the tip of the biodiversity iceberg. The cephalopods), comprising less than 2.5 % first step in knowledge acquisition of the molluscan fauna of the Hellenic required for the taxon-based approach to seas, have a commercial interest, particu- biodiversity and conservation is the study larly in fisheries and aquaculture since and documentation of at least the major they are collected and/or cultivated for components of the fauna. Hence, the pres- human consumption. The status of the ent study attempts to gather and review fishing of these commercially important the available scientific information on molluscs has been recently reviewed molluscs of minor commercial importance (KOUTSOUBAS et al., 2007; LEFKA- in order to assist in the adequate manage- DITOU, 2007). ment and protection of their populations. However, apart from those commer- cially important species, there are many Materials and Methods other molluscs, which, although not com- mercially exploited, are either systemati- Forty one species (18 gastropods, 13 cally or occasionally collected for human bivalves, and 10 cephalopods) of minor consumption and other uses (fishing bait, commercial interest were reviewed in the jewellery, decoration, private and public present work (Table 1). The distribution of collections). Furthermore, several species, the listed species in Hellenic seas was gen- for example some common small-sized erally based on ZENETOS (1986; 1996), cephalopods, constitute trawl fisheries by- KOUTSOUBAS (1992), KOUTSOUBAS catches which may have a marketable frac- et al. (1992, 1997, 1999, 2000a,b), tion. Bivalve and gastropod molluscs are ZENETOS et al. (2004, 2007), ANTO- also frequently used to biomonitor heavy NIADOU et al. (2005), DELAMOTTE & metal pollution in the marine environ- VARDALA-THEODOROU (2007), ment. In most cases, the distribution, the LEFKADITOU (2007), EVAGELO- degree of exploitation, and the state of POULOS & KOUTSOUBAS (2008), grey these populations have not been assessed literature such as academic dissertations and in Hellenic seas. Uncontrolled and unre- HCMR or EU technical reports, and/or ported fishing or other human activities on unpublished/personal observations. 78 Medit. Mar. Sci., 9/1, 2008, 77-118 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 27/09/2021 17:44:35 | g), , sh ersity (continued) http://epublishing.ekt.gr Table 1 |e-Publisher: EKT |Downloaded at 27/09/2021 17:44:35 | 109/2002 = Presidential Decree 109/2002) are also given. Petalida /Rayed Mediterranean limpetStiktopetalida /Ristic limpetAgriopetalida /Rough limpet, China limpetSalingaraki, Arthrotos trochos /Articulate monodontSalingaraki, Trochos fraoula /Turbinate monodontSalingarakiStrovilos, Mati tis Panagias (the opperculum)/Rough turboSkaltsini, Striftari, Kerato /Mediterranean ceritheKonos tis Persias ED, FB, BIOM Gourounitsa /Cowrie ED, FB, BIOM JWL, Gourounitsa COL /Cowrie ED, FB, BIOM ED, FB, BIOMGourounitsa /CowrieBouchona, Kochyla /Giant ton 109/2002 Agkathotritonas /Wandering triton, Olive trumpet 109/2002 FB ED, FB, BIOMTritonas /Knobed triton, lamp tritonTritonas, Bourou /Variegated tritonMitra /Zoned miter 109/2002 Konos /Cone shellPetrosolinas, Valanos,Chourmas /European date mussel COLBC, PBC Pinna /Pen shell, Fan shell ED, FB COL, JWL ED ED, COL ED, COLBC, PBC, 67/1981 COL COL, JWL COL COL, JWL BC, PBC, 67/1981 BC, PBC, 67/1981 BC, PBC, 67/1981 92/43/EC, BC, PBC BC, PBC BC, PBC ED, COL COL ED, COL, BIOMBC, PBC 92/43/EC, PBC, 67/1981 in the Mediterranean of the Barcelona Convention, 92/43/EC = EC Habitats Directive 92/43, 67/1981 = Presidential Decree 67/1981 and the legislation for their protection (BC = Bern Convention, PBC = Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Biological Div Mollusc species (Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Cephalopoda) of minor commercial interest in Hellenic seas. Common Hellenic and Engli names, exploitation modes (ED = Edible, FB = Fishing Bait, JWL = Jewelry, COL = Shell Collections, BIOM = used for Biomonitorin Scientific nameGASTROPODA Patella caerulea Patella rustica Common Hellenic /English namesPatella ulyssiponensis Osilinus articulatus Osilinus turbinatus Phorcus mutabilis Bolma rugosa Cerithium vulgatum Strombus persicus Erosaria spurca Luria lurida Zonaria pyrum Tonna galea Exploitation modeRanella olearium Charonia lampas Legislation Charonia variegata Mitra zonata Conus mediterraneus BIVALVIA Lithophaga lithophaga Pinna nobilis Medit. Mar. Sci., 9/1, 2008, 77-118 79 http://epublishing.ekt.gr (continued) Table 1 |e-Publisher: EKT |Downloaded at 27/09/2021 17:44:35 | Margaritoforo stridi /Rayed pearl oysterFterostrido /European wing ysterKalogria, Chlamyda /Variegated scallopGrammoto chteni /Little bay scallopGaidouropodaro, Vassiliko stridi /European thorny ysterPortogaliko stridi /Giant