Fish farming effects on local fisheries landings in oligotrophic seas

Abstract

The effects of fish-farming on local landings in five regions of the Aegean and Ionian Seas (eastern Mediterranean basin) were analysed, together with certain parameters related to environmental changes and fishing fleet activity. Data from time series of landings, fish farming production, fishing fleet, temperature and rainfall (1984-2001) were analysed based on the Minimum-maximum Auto-correlation Factor Analysis (MAFA). Results suggested that increased fish-farming activity in enclosed, oligotrophic areas could imply an increase in fisheries landings. Intense fish farming could be an important explanatory factor regarding changes in fisheries production at certain areas. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.