Spanish Institute of Oceanography to study artisanal fishing impact on seafloor

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) has launched the IMPALHA III project to investigate the relationship between artisanal fishing intensity and the condition of benthic habitats across various Spanish marine demarcations.

While previous scientific research on seabed impacts has largely focused on bottom trawling, this third phase of the initiative expands its scope to include different fishing modalities and a wider geographic area. The study specifically examines the use of fixed or static fishing gear, which is commonly employed by artisanal fleets.

Researchers will analyze data from experimental campaigns to determine how fishing intensity correlates with the conservation status of seafloor ecosystems. This follows two previous phases that focused primarily on the effects of bottom longlining within the Avilés Canyon System in the Cantabrian Sea.