History and management strategies of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus fishery in Galicia (NW Spain)

Abstract We analysed the development of a small-scale fishery targeting sea urchin ( Paracentrotus lividus ) in Galicia (NW Spain). Governance of the fishery is based on a co-management system involving both the fisheries authority and the communities that traditionally have exploited coastal benthic or low-mobility resources, like sea urchin. Access is regulated with fishing licences and territorially-based use privileges (‘TURFs’). Annual time series of sea urchin landings, CPUE (kg vessel −1  day −1 ), and prices for the period 1975–2010 were analysed in order to relate fishery performance to changes in management. In 1986 a set of management regulations was implemented for the first time in this fishery. The pre-regulation period was characterized by a shift in fishing technique, (from a metal ring with a net attached to a rod, which is used with a glass bottom bucket to catch sea urchins from the vessel), to diving, which drastically increased catchability (CPUE). During the regulation period CPUE became stable due to the introduction of a daily catch limit, but this measure did not result in an immediate reduction in sea urchin landings. The current management system, implemented in 1993, was able to reduce fishing effort and landings, keeping the latter stable over the last 12 years despite a progressive increase in market prices. This trend was observed in our focal case of study, but temporal local closures of fishing activity were frequent throughout Galicia from 1993 to 2010. We assessed the strengths and weaknesses of management strategies in place during the study period, and identified some problems in the fishery. The TURF system had demonstrated potential benefits for this fishery, but territories should be redefined combining biological, ecological and socio-economic criteria.