Management Measures and Target Species for Bottom Trawling, Purse Seine Fishing and Small-Scale Fishing of the Gsa-1

MANAGEMENT MEASURES AND TARGET SPECIES FOR BOTTOM TRAWLING, PURSE SEINE FISHING AND SMALL-SCALE FISHING OF THE GSA-1

ANDALUCÍA

2016-2020.

Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Regional Government of Andalusia. Andalusian Federation of Fisheries Associations (Spanish acronym FAAPE)

Andalusian Federation of Fishermen Associations (Spanish acronym FACOPE)

1 INDEX

BACKGROUND

The GSA-1 AND

Ports and types of fishing of GSA-1 AND.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

SPECIES WITH LANDING OBLIGATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

ANALYSIS OF CATCHES LANDED IN ANDALUSIAN PORTS

IDENTIFICATION OF THE SPECIES CHARACTERISTIC OF EACH FISHERY BY TYPE

OF FISHING

Bottom trawling Purse seine fishing

Small-scale fishing

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION OF THE SPECIES IDENTIFIED

MANAGEMENT MEASURES

General Measures GSA-1

Specific Measures GSA-1

Temporary closures

Spatial closures for nursery areas

Protected areas Improvement of the reef areas and reconditioning of the coastal strip Development and updating of sanitary studies for fishing areas

2 1. BACKGROUND

At the high-level meeting on the status of the Mediterranean stocks (Catania, February 2016) organized by the European Commission, MedReAct, the delicate situation of the fishing stocks for the Mediterranean basin was highlighted. Therefore the interest of the Andalusian Mediterranean sector and the Regional Government of Andalusia in establishing measures in order to contribute to improve the situation of the fishing stocks as well as to improve the coastal water quality for the Andalusian coast.

For all of these reasons, this document aims to highlight this interest and identify particular corrective measures as far as fisheries management is concerned, protect high-value production areas, strengthen protected areas and monitor the water quality in production areas.

Keeping in mind that GSA1 zone includes part of the coast of the Autonomous Region of Murcia and in order to increase the efficiency of the measures included in this document, the Administration aims to inform, both the Autonomous Region of Murcia and the Secretariat General for Fisheries, of the measures mentioned in order to implement them in said areas.

This document has the consensus of the fishing sector represented by the Andalusian Federation of Fisheries Associations (Spanish acronym FAAPE) and the Andalusian Federation of Fishermen Associations (Spanish acronym FACOPE).

1The GSA-1. ANDALUSIA The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) considered apporpriate to subdivide the Mediterranean sea in geographical areas so as to monitor and evaluate fisheries resources in a georeferenced way. To do this, in the division of the area FAO 37, which include the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, in the already established division FAO 37.1 – Western Mediterranean, and within the same subarea 37 1. 1 -Balearic, the GFCM established a series of geographical subareas (GSA) among which the GSA-1 is one of them. It comprises the whole Andalusian Mediterranean coast (from the Gibraltar Strait to the limit of the province of Almería that borders the Autonomous Region of Murcia) and continues to the coast of Mazarron (Autonomous Region of Murcia). In the present document, the subarea which includes the Andalusian coast will be referred to as: GSA-1 AND.

Map 1 Red lines divide the subareas for the fisheries statistics of FAO. Black lines divide the subareas of the GFCM 3 Map 2. Detail of the GSA-1 which includes the Andalusian Mediterranean area.

1.1 Ports and types of fishing of GSA-1 AND.

There are fourteen Andalusian ports included in the GSA-1 AND: three are located in the province of Cádiz, five in Málaga, one in Granada and another five in the Almería. The types of fishing to be analyzed in the present document (Bottom trawls, Purse seine fishing and Small-scale fishing, without taking into account shellfishing) are present in the Andalusian coastal fleet, although not the three types can not be found in every port as the following table shows:

PORT BOTTOM TRAWL PURSE SEINE SMALL-SCALE FISHING FISHING (SHELLFISHING NOT INCLUDED) TARIFA 3 38 LA LÍNEA 1 14 ALGECIRAS 5 23 ESTEPONA 7 5 19 MARBELLA 4 8 16 FUENGIROLA 8 3 6 MÁLAGA 3 13 VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA 15 15 14 MOTRIL 12 2 14 ADRA 9 12 ROQUETAS 2 3 ALMERÍA 30 13 27 CARBONERAS 4 4 12 GARRUCHA 8 1 6

4 2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 International - GFCM

· Recommendation GFCM/36/2012/1 on further measures for the exploitation of red coral in the GFCM area.

· Recommendation GFCM/36/2012/2 on mitigation of incidental catches of cetaceans in the GFCM area.

· Recommendation GFCM/36/2012/3, on fisheries management measures for conservation of sharks and rays in the GFCM area 2.2 European Union

2.2.1 Common Fisheries Policy

· COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1626/94.

· REGULATION (EU) No 1380/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC

· COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) No 1392/2014 of 20 October 2014 establishing a discard plan for certain small pelagic fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea 2.2.2 Integrated Maritime Policy

· DIRECTIVE 2014/89/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning 2.3 National

· Law 3/2001, of 26 March, on national maritime fishing. · Royal Decree 1440/1999, of 10 September, regulating fishing activities with bottom trawls in Spanish Mediterranean fishing grounds.

· Royal Decree 395/2006, of 31 March, establishing management measures for the fishing fleet operating with fixed and small gears in the Mediteranean sea.

· Royal Decree 307/2007, of 2 March, modifying Royal Decree 395/2006, of 31 March, establishing management measures for the fishing fleet operating with fixed and small gears in the Mediteranean sea.

5 · Order AAA/1589/2012, of 17 July, regulating Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) fisheries when using the voracera fishing gear at the Gibraltar strait.

· Order AAA/2793/2012, of 21 December, modifying Order ARM/2529/2011, of 21 September, regulating fishing with purse seine nets in Mediterranean fishing grounds. · Order AAA/2794/2012, of 21 December, regulating fishing with fixed and small gears in the Mediterranean outside Community waters. · Resolution of 27 march 2013, from the Secretariat General for Fisheries, publishing the list of registered vessels for bottom trawling, small-scale fishing, purse seine fishing and bottom longline fishing in Mediterranean fishing grounds.

3. SPECIES WITH LANDING OBLIGATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) introduces an obligation of landing unwanted catches for limited catch species and besides, for the Mediterranean case, for those species subjected to catch limits, as said by Annex III of COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea (table 1).

Table 1. Mediterranean species with minimum sizes and landing obligation at Mediterranean ports.

4. ANALYSIS OF CATCHES LANDED IN ANDALUSIAN PORTS

The present analysis is developed taking into account prices of first sale at fishing markets between 2005 and 2015 for different types of fishing. By doing this, data from catches reaching 80% of economic value and 80% of total biomass will be analyzed, always for species with landing obligation

6 4.1 Bottom trawls

First sale data for the bottom trawling fleet which fished in Mediterranean grounds between 2005 and 2015 shows that 80% of the economic value for the species with landing obligation (Norway lobster, hake, white shrimp, red mullet and horse mackerel) includes this 80% (see table 2)

Table 2. Data of the economic value for the main species landed by the bottom trawling fleet in the Andalusian Mediterranean ports. Those species with landing obligation and included in the 80% of landings economic value are coloured in blue.

With regard to the species comprising 80% of the biomass for catches with landing obligation, these would be the same than those of economic value together with the white sea bream (Pagellus acarne) that would also be added, as Table 3 shows.

Table 3. Data of the volume for the main species landed by the trawler fleet of the Andalusian Mediterranean ports. Those species with landing obligation and included in the 80% of landings economic value are coloured in blue.

7 4.1.1 Province of Almeria

Regarding the trawler fleet of the ports of Almería, the species that generate 80% of the economic value and which have landing obligation are: hake, Norway lobster, red mullet and white shrimp. Concerning the volume landed, the species would be the same plus the white sea bream and horse mackerel (table 4).

Table 4. Data of the main species landed by the trawl fleet of the province of Almería. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

4.1.2 Province of Granada

With regards to the fleet of Granada ports, Norway lobster, white shrimp, hake, red mullet and horse mackerel would be those species that represent the economic value required. Concerning the species that represent at least 80% of the volume of catches in the 2005-2015 period, they would be the ones previously mentioned together with the white sea bream (Table 5).

Table 5. Data of the main species landed by the trawl fleet of the province of Granada. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

8 4.1.3 Province of Málaga

The trawler fleet of Málaga concentrates the value of catches with landing obligation on the following species: hake, white shrimp, red mullet, Norway lobster, horse mackerel and white sea bream, while the species that comprise the largest volume of catches would be the same as before, not including Norway lobster. (see table 6)

Table 6. Data of the main species landed by the trawl fleet of the province of Málaga. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

4.1.4 Province of Cádiz

It should be pointed out that for the ports located in the Andalusian Mediterranean sea (GSA-01) of the province of Cádiz, there are no trawlers included in the census.

4.2 Purse seine fishing

With regard to the purse seine fleet operating on the Andalusian Mediterranean coast, four species account for 80% of the economic value of the catches: sardines, horse mackerel, anchovies and mackerel, (see table 7). while regarding volume, the species are sardine, mackerel and horse mackerel (see table 8).

Table 7. Data on the economic value of the main species landed by the purse-seine fleet of the Andalusian Mediterranean ports. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

9 Table 8. Volume data of the main species landed by the purse-seine fleet of the Andalusian Mediterranean ports. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

4.2.1 Province of Almería

In the province of Almería, the purse-seine fleet lands sardine, horse mackerel, mackerel and anchovy as species with greater economic value, and mackerel, sardine and horse mackerel as species of greater relevance in catches volume (Table 9).

Table 9. Data of the main species landed by the purse-seine fleet of the province of Almería. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue .

4.2.2 Province of Granada

As far as the province of Granada is concerned, sardines, horse mackerel and mackerel are the species with the highest economic value and highest volume of landings (Table 10).

Table 10. Data of the main species landed by the purse-seine fleet of the province of Granada. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

10 4.2.3 Province of Málaga The purse-seine fleet from Málaga lands sardine, anchovy and horse mackerel as species of greater economic importance, and sardines, horse mackerel and mackerel as species with higher volume of landings (Table 11).

Table 11. Data of the main species landed by the purse-seine fleet of the province of Málaga. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

4.2.4 Province of Cádiz With regards to the province of Cádiz, the species that represent 80% of the economic value are horse mackerel and Blackspot sea bream. However, those that represent greater volume of landings are horse mackerel, mackerel and sardine (table 12).

Table 12. Data of the main species landed by the purse-seine fleet of the province of Cádiz. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

4.3 3 Small-scale fishing (excluding shellfishing)

The Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo), red mullet, horse mackerel and red porgy (Pagrus pagrus), are the species that represent 80% of the economic value of species with landing obligation on the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia and they are captured by small-scale fishing fleets, excluding shellfishing (Table 13). However, with regard to the volume of landings, Blackspot seabream, red mullet, sardine, white sea bream and common pandora are the main species (Table 14).

11 Table 13. Data of the economic value of the main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the Andalusian Mediterranean ports. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

Table 14. Data of the economic value of the main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the Andalusian Mediterranean ports. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

12 4.3.1 Province of Almería

In the province of Almería, the species landed that account for 80% of the economic value are: red mullet, Blackspot seabream, Red porgy, hake, common pandora and lobster (see table 15).

In relation to the volume of the landings, the most representative species are: red mullet, horse mackerel, hake, Blackspot seabream, common pandora, red porgy and white sea bream (table 15).

Table 15. Data of the main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the province of Almería. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

4.3.2 Province of Granada

The main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the province of Granada and that represent 80% of the value of the catches are: red mullet, red porgy, common pandora and hake. As far as the volume of landings is concerned, red mullet, red porgy, common pandora, sardines and white sea bream are the most important species (Table 16).

Table 16. Data of the main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the province of Granada. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

13 4.3.3 Province of Málaga

With regards to the province of Málaga, only the red mullet has the obligation of landing. Although the venus clam represents a great economic value, it is worth remembering that only those species not included in the shellfishing activity are analyzed (Table 17).

Table 17. Data of the main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the province of Málaga. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue. .

4.3.4 Province of Cádiz

In the case of Cádiz, the fleet lands Blackspot seabream and horse mackerel as species with both greater economic value and volume of catches (Table 18).

Table 18. Data of the main species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets of the province of Cádiz. Those species with landing obligation and representing 80% of the volume of landings are coloured in blue.

14 5. . IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES CHARACTERISTIC OF EACH FISHERY

Taking into account the importance of the volume of landings, the economic value of the species and the landing obligation of these species in the Mediterranean, the main species that are characteristic of the fisheries by type of fishing will be identified

5.1 Bottom trawling

In relation to the trawling of the Andalusian coast, the species that present the requirements are of major economic importance and the volume of catches are greater: hake, mullet and horse mackerel (see diagram 1)

Diagram 1: Species landed by the trawling fleet in Mediterranean Andalusian fishing markets with greater economic importance and volume of landings.

Therefore, the species characteristic of the trawling activity on the coast of GSA-1 AND are: hake, red mullet, horse mackerel, octopus and blue whiting. However, hake, red mullet and horse mackerel are considered as the main species that define bottom trawling fishing on the Andalusian coast included in the GSA-1 AND according to: (1) Annex III of the landing obligation from Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea; 2) The entry into force in 2017 of the obligation proposed for hake and red mullet by Spain; and 3) The entry into force in 2019 of the obligation to land horse mackerels under Regulation 1380/2013. 5.2 Purse seine fishing

In the case of the purse seine fishing, taking into account the same premises, the species that represent this type of fishing are sardine, mackerel, horse mackerel and anchovy, among which, sardine is the most important in terms of both economic value and volume of landings (diagram 2). Although the four species are included in Annex III of the landing obligation of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 and, the obligation under Regulation 1392/2014 for all species already entered into force on 1 January 2015, sardine is proposed as the specie that represents purse seine fishing on the coast

15 included in the GSA-1 AND.

Diagram 2: Species landed by the purse-seine fishing fleet in Mediterranean Andalusian fishing markets with greater economic importance and volume of landings.

5.3 Small-scale fishing

The small-scale fishing fleets operating in the GSA-1 AND, excluding shellfishing, land in port mainly Bullet tuna, octopus, Silver scabbardfish, Blackspot seabream, horse mackerel and red mullet, as far as economic importance and volume of landings are concerned. (see diagram 3).

Diagram 3: Species landed by the small-scale fishing fleets (excluding shellfishing) in Mediterranean Andalusian fishing markets with greater economic importance and volume of landings

Based on the species listed in Annex III of the obligation of landing from Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006; the entry into force in 2017 of the obligation for red mullet proposed by Spain; and the entry into force in 2019 of the obligation to land horse mackerels under Regulation 1380/2013, red mullet and horse mackerel are proposed as the main target species of the small-scale fishing fleet. Therefore, taking into account all the above, the target species of this document are:

Bottom trawling: hake (Merluccius merluccius), mullet (Mullus barbatus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.).

Purse seining fishing: Sardine (Sardina pilchardus).

Small-scale fishing: mullet (Mullus barbatus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.).

16 6. SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION OF THE SPECIES IDENTIFIED

6.1 Hake (Merluccius merluccius)

6.1.1 Biological data: Growth and reproduction

The evaluation of hake populations (Merliccius merluccius) in the GSA-1 area of the North of the Sea of Alborán is carried out by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography of Málaga from the annual MEDITS (Mediterranean International Bottom Trawl Survey) campaigns.

In the area under study in this document, hake has a maximum size of 90 cm for females and 61 cm for males, so the combined size is 90 cm in maximum length. The gonadal maturation period is between February and June of each year. The size of the first sexual maturity, L50, is located at 26 cm, with the spawning area above the platform. Recruitment occurs at a size of 14.5 cm, with two recruiting peaks, one in winter and one in spring. The recruitment area is located on the continental shelf.

6.1.2 State of stocks

The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) establishes that the abundance and biomass status of adult hake populations has been steadily decreasing in the GSA-1 area in recent years, with maximum of 480 tonnes in 2010 and minimum of 220 tonnes in 2014. However, recruited populations have a fluctuating trend. Overall, the current state of exploitation of the species in the GSA 1 (Fcurrent (1.20) area is above the maximum sustainable yield (Fmsy (0.21)). Therefore, the STEFC recommends that fleet catches or effort on the stock these resources should be reduced until fishing mortality is below or near the proposed maximum sustainable level (Fmsy (0.21)) and this should be achieved through multiannual management plans. In addition, taking into account all of the above, hake catches should not exceed 160 tonnes in the GSA 1 area by 2016.

6.2 Red mullet (Mullus barbatus)

6.2.1 Biological data: Growth and reproduction

Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) has a maximum size, combining male and female, of 35 cm in the GSA 1 area, and reproduction occurs between October and December. The size of first maturity (L50) is 11.2 cm and the spawning area is located on the continental shelf. Recruitment size is 7.8 cm and the breeding area is coastal.

6.2.2 State of stocks

The STEFC estates that the current state of exploitation of the species in the GSA area 1 (Fcurrent (1.31)) is 4 times above the maximum sustainable yield (Fmsy (0.27)). Therefore, the STEFC recommends that the fleet's effort on the stocks of these resources should be reduced until fishing mortality is below or near the proposed sustainable maximum level (Fmsy (0.27)), in order to avoid

17 the loss of the exploited populations and, therefore, the reduction of the landings.

6.3 Horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.)

No relevant information has been found on the biology and status of horse mackerel stocks in the Mediterranean area. However, it seems that there is no data on the evaluation of this species.

6.4 Sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

6.4.1 Biological data: Growth and reproduction

Sardine had a maximum combined size (male and female) of 23.5 cm in GSA 1 in 2014. However, if the data from 2004 to 2014 is taken into account, the combined maximum size is 25 cm. The breeding season is established between autumn and winter and recruitment takes place in spring. The size of first maturity (L50) stood at 13.51 cm by 2014, and at 13.02 for cumulative data between 2003 and 2014. The spawning of the specie occurs along the entire coast and breeding areas are located in the interior of the bays. The recruitment size of the species was 11.5 in 2014.

6.4.2 State of stocks

Based on the STEFC considerations, the sardines exploited between the ages 0 and 2 yearsare being exploited sustainably in the GSA 1 area. In any case, the data for the assessment have been obtained from the fisheries sector so that, this consideration should be regarded with caution until independent information is obtained.

However, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) considers the stock as being exploited sustainably taking into account the biomass estimations which are below the BMSY and therefore, are not overexploited. The STEFC believes that the management of fisheries targeting small pelagic populations through effort control may not lead to control the exploitation rate. It is therefore advisable to introduce restrictions on landings through TACs as a more effective management tool for small pelagic fisheries in the Mediterranean. The STEFC also proposes that a multi-annual management plan for small pelagic fisheries in the Mediterranean should be created and implemented. This plan should take into account the effect of mixed fisheries, in particular in the case of the anchovy fisheries (Engraulis encrasicolus).

18 7. MANAGEMENT MEASURES

The Andalusian Mediterranean Working Group has agreed on a series of technical measures for the management of the fisheries that are the subject of this document, which are reflected in an Andalusian document for the Mediterranean

7.1 Medidas de carácter general.

• Studying and adopting technical measures at management unit level (GSA).

• Regulating recreational/sport fishing.

• For Bottom trawling fishing:

◦ Limiting the fishing effort to a maximum of 210 days of activity per year.

◦ Maintaining the existing exceptions

◦ Twine of 5 mm.

◦ Studying the real development of the fishing activity

◦ Reduction of 1/2 h of fishing activity in the area regulated by Order APA/3238/2006 during the months of January, February and March on the coast of the province of Almería

• For Purse seine fishing:

◦ Setting a catch limit for sardines of 4,500 kg/day/boat (reduction 10%).

◦ Including "migrating fish"among the species authorized

◦ Reducing by 2 hours the port entrance and exit times during the months of July and August for the bottom trawling fleet of the province of Málaga. ◦ Reducing by 1 hour the port entrance and exit times during the months of May, June, July and August for the purse-seine fleet of the provinces of Granada and Almería.

7.2 Specific measures for GSA-1

A number of specific management measures are considered necessary for the GSA 1 area: 7.2.1 Temporary closures

This measure is aimed at establishing temporary closures for each of the fisheries covered

19 by the document, provided that there is consistency with the stock situation of the target species • For bottom trawling fishing, establishing a breeding closure for hake, blue whiting, red mullet and Norway lobster is proposed for the month of April. • For purse seine fishing, establishing a breeding closure for sardine in the provinces of Almería and Granada is proposed for the month of December as well as a breeding closure for anchovy in the province of Málaga during the month of June. These measures will help to improve the sustainable exploitation of the target resources of this fishing gear.

7.2.2 Temporary spatial closures for nursery areas

Nursery areas of the different target species for each fishery are identified so, establishing closures in those areas seems to be necessary according to the fisheries sector taking into account their experience in the fisheries. Moreover, given that the fishing grounds used in each of the 3 Mediterranean provinces of Andalusia are different, different spatial-temporal closures are established for both bottom trawling and purse seine fishing and on each provincial coastline

Bottom trawling fishing: • Coast of the province of Almería: • Implementation of a temporary ban for fishing grounds under 60 meters during the months of August, September, October and November. • Establishment of two fishing exclusion zones with an area of 72 square miles each, with the following cartographic coordinates: • Zona 1: point 0: 36º37Ń 003º 12,5´W point 1: 36º25 Ń 002º 57,5´W point 2: 36º25Ń 003º 12,5´W

• Zona 2: point 0: 36º16Ń 003º 10´W point 1: 36º16Ń 002º 55´W point 2: 36º10Ń 002º 55´W point 3: 36º10Ń 003º 10´W

• Coast of the province of Granada: • Along the coast of the province of Granada, two fishing exclusion zones are created. • A strip closer to the coast that extends from 0 to 60 meters deep during the months of August, September, October and November. • Another strip that extedns from 111 meters (60 fathoms) to 167 meters (90 fathoms) during the months of July, August and September

20 • Coast of the province of Málaga • Along the coast of the province of Malaga, a zone of fishing exclusion is created for the months of October, November and December for fishing grounds deeper or equal to 500 meters.

Purse seine fishing: • Coast of the province of Almería: • A fishing exclusion zone is created outside the Integral Fishing Reserve of the Island of Alborán in the bathymetry between 35 and 200 meters deep at a distance of 8 miles around the Island of Alborán for the months of November, December, January and February. • Coast of the province of Málaga: • Establishment of a fishing exclusion zone during the months of January and February for all fishing grounds included between the following coordinates: 36º 44,431´N 03º 53,08´W 36º 45,119´N 03º 50,001´W

7.2.3 Protected areas

The conduction of scientific studies aimed to analyze the suitability of establishing spawning and nursery areas for certain species will be proposed together with the development of socio-economic impact studies for the implementation of these areas

7.2.4 Improvement of the reef areas and coastal strip

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the Andalusian The Regional Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia started in 1989 a programme for conditioning of the coastal strip for the protection of coastal fishing resources. The actions carried out include the installation of artificial reefs intended primarily for the protection and regeneration of fisheries, especially in areas subject to over-exploitation of resources through non-permitted fishing practices and/or areas of high fishing-biological interest. In the period 1989-2015, the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia installed a total of 21 artificial reefs on the Andalusian coast, with a total of more than 11,000 anchored modules which protect a total area of about 500 km2. In this sense, the promotion of this type of actions is suggested for the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, through the development of the following activities for the period 2016-2020: • Six previous studies for the installation of new artificial reefs • Nine technical-scientific studies for monitoring the existing reefs. • Development of technical projects for the construction and installation of artificial reefs.

21 The actions to be developed by the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia, especially in relation with the installation of new artificial reefs, will be analyzed and discussed with the fishing sector concerned once the results of previous studies are obtained .

7.2.5 Development and updating of sanitary studies for the fishing areas

There are numerous landing points along the entire Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, a fact which makes it necessary to carry out a more exhaustive control in relation with the sanitary classification of the fishing and shellfishing areas, in order to carry out a real and updated sanitary classification. Therefore, keeping a continuous microbiological control and a periodical update of the location of such risk points along the Mediterranean coast is suggested. (updating of the Sanitary Survey).

20 December 2016 .