There is currently much uncertainty about the status of the anchovy stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. around Morocco and Mauritania. It seems that the current fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing. is not sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs. in the long term.
The impact of pelagicPelagic trawls:
In pelagic trawling, a trawl is pulled through the water column. The net is not towed across the seabed. trawls and pursePurse seines:
A ring net in which the net is circulated around a school of fish. Then the net is closed and taken in. This is also called 'purse seine'. seines on the ecosystem seems small and there is minimal impact on benthic habitats and species. Because anchovies are often fished in large schools, this is a relatively selectiveSelective fishing methods:
Selective fishing methods capture many target species, and little or no unwanted fish species and animals. method with little bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). of other species.
These fisheries are regulated by the governments of Morocco and Mauritania. Although the stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. is well monitored and various management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed. have been implemented, it is not clear whether this contributes to protecting the stock. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of this species is not effective.