From knowledge to management: Understanding Portuguese set net fisheries through the experiences of local fishers

Set nets vary considerably in their technical characteristics and are used to capture a wide variety of species that differ in size and morphological traits. In Portugal, catch reports do not usually include information on mesh size, making it difficult to identify the fisheries in which these nets are used. Exploring the potential of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) through surveys or interviews with fishers can facilitate this identification while fostering collaboration between fishers and researchers. In the present study, a total of 82 fishers involved in gillnet and trammel net fisheries along the southwestern and south coasts of Portugal were interviewed to gather information on fishing areas, mesh sizes used, fishing operations and species caught, including target species and sensitive by-catch species. Two surveys were conducted using similarly structured questionnaires in 11 fishing ports along the southern and western coasts of Portugal. A total of six gillnet and seven trammel net métiers were identified, differing in fishing areas, target species, vessel sizes and fishing strategies. The main target species in gillnet métiers found included the European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ), on the west coast, and red mullet ( Mullus surmuletus ), on the south coast, while trammel nets mainly target flatfish ( Solea spp. and Microchirus spp.) and cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ), respectively on the west and south coasts. Information was collected on the by-catch of sensitive, habitat-forming species that are usually discarded, for which little information is available concerning geographical distribution. The usefulness of this information in supporting more tailored fisheries management is discussed, as well as the importance of further integrating LEK into fisheries management and decision-making processes.