INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Portugal has the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (approximately 1700000 KmPortugal has the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (approximately 1700000 Km22) of the European Community and a fishery sector ) of the European Community and a fishery sector that is characterised by a series of that is characterised by a series of

socially and regionally relevant impacts in some communities along the coast, being an irreplaceable activity for maintaining the regional identity and providing incomes for many socially and regionally relevant impacts in some communities along the coast, being an irreplaceable activity for maintaining the regional identity and providing incomes for many

families (Pinho, 1999).families (Pinho, 1999).

The Algarve is one of the regions of the Portuguese coast were the fishing activity has a significant social impact with a big number of communities with traditions linked to and The Algarve is one of the regions of the Portuguese coast were the fishing activity has a significant social impact with a big number of communities with traditions linked to and

economic dependence on fisheries or activities associated with fisheries. The Algarve coastline, south of Portugal, extends approximately for 160 km from the Guadiana estuary economic dependence on fisheries or activities associated with fisheries. The Algarve coastline, south of Portugal, extends approximately for 160 km from the Guadiana estuary

at the frontier with Spain to Cabo São Vicente in the west. The town of Fuzeta is located in the Ria Formosa, a 55 km long lagoon, covering a total area of approximately 16,300 at the frontier with Spain to Cabo São Vicente in the west. The town of Fuzeta is located in the Ria Formosa, a 55 km long lagoon, covering a total area of approximately 16,300

hectares (Pilkey hectares (Pilkey et alet al., 1989) (Figure 1) and was the chosen study site for examining the socio-economic conditions of a fishing dependent region. ., 1989) (Figure 1) and was the chosen study site for examining the socio-economic conditions of a fishing dependent region.

Socio-economics of the Algarve fisheries sector: a reviewSocio-economics of the Algarve fisheries sector: a review

Pita, C.1; Marques, A.; Erzini, K. 1; Noronha, I.1; Houlihan, D. 2; Dinis, M. T. 1

1 CCMAR, Universidade do Algarve, 8000 - 117 Faro; 2Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Av., Aberdeen, AB42 2TZ, Scotland

Figure 1. The Algarve coastline, with the Figure 1. The Algarve coastline, with the main towns and the Ria Formosa.main towns and the Ria Formosa.

FISHERIESFISHERIES

The total landings for Portugal, in quantity and value, and by region of the mainland The total landings for Portugal, in quantity and value, and by region of the mainland

in 2000 are given in Table 1. The distribution of registered fishermen and the number, in 2000 are given in Table 1. The distribution of registered fishermen and the number,

tonnage and power of the Portuguese fishing fleet by region of the Portuguese tonnage and power of the Portuguese fishing fleet by region of the Portuguese

mainland coast for the same year are given in Table 2. mainland coast for the same year are given in Table 2.

Table 1. Portuguese fish production by region of the mainland in Table 1. Portuguese fish production by region of the mainland in quantity and value, in 2000.quantity and value, in 2000.

In 2000 Portuguese In 2000 Portuguese fish productionfish production was over 152 thousand tons. The value of was over 152 thousand tons. The value of

landings in this year was over 251 million euros. The Algarve fish production landings in this year was over 251 million euros. The Algarve fish production

accounted for 26% in quantity and 30% in value of the Portuguese landings.accounted for 26% in quantity and 30% in value of the Portuguese landings.

The Portuguese fisheries are highly diverse. In the Algarve the The Portuguese fisheries are highly diverse. In the Algarve the main speciesmain species landed, landed,

in 2000, were sardine (19000t), octopus (4600t), horse mackerel (3000t) and deep in 2000, were sardine (19000t), octopus (4600t), horse mackerel (3000t) and deep

water shrimps (1000t). In value the most important species were deep water shrimp water shrimps (1000t). In value the most important species were deep water shrimp

(almost 13 million euros), octopus (almost 12.5 million euros) and sardines (almost (almost 13 million euros), octopus (almost 12.5 million euros) and sardines (almost

10 million euros).10 million euros).

The Algarve is the region with more The Algarve is the region with more registered fishermenregistered fishermen, accounting for 26% of the , accounting for 26% of the

Portuguese registered fishermen in 2000. Portuguese registered fishermen in 2000.

The The Portuguese fleet Portuguese fleet consists of 10.750 vessels, representing a tAB of 111.691tons, a consists of 10.750 vessels, representing a tAB of 111.691tons, a

and a engine power of 402.116kW. The Algarve fleet, the second most representative and a engine power of 402.116kW. The Algarve fleet, the second most representative

fleet, with 12% tAB and 18% kW, accounted for 21% of the Portuguese fleet.fleet, with 12% tAB and 18% kW, accounted for 21% of the Portuguese fleet.

The Algarve local fleet, accounts for 85% of the total number of registered boats. The The Algarve local fleet, accounts for 85% of the total number of registered boats. The

coastal category accounts for 15% and the offshore category (<1%) consists of only coastal category accounts for 15% and the offshore category (<1%) consists of only

one large fishing vessel.one large fishing vessel.

Table 2. Total registered fishermen, number, gross tonnage and engine power Table 2. Total registered fishermen, number, gross tonnage and engine power of registered boats by region of the mainland coast and Portugal, in 2000of registered boats by region of the mainland coast and Portugal, in 2000

AQUACULTUREAQUACULTURE

Table 3 presents total, freshwater and marine aquaculture production by region of the Table 3 presents total, freshwater and marine aquaculture production by region of the

Portuguese mainland, in quantity and value, for the year 1999. The Portuguese Portuguese mainland, in quantity and value, for the year 1999. The Portuguese

aquaculture productionaquaculture production accounted for over 6 thousand tons, representing in value accounted for over 6 thousand tons, representing in value

over 30 million euros. over 30 million euros.

The Algarve production accounted for 49% in quantity and 57% in value of the The Algarve production accounted for 49% in quantity and 57% in value of the

Portuguese aquaculture production, clearly showing that this region is the most Portuguese aquaculture production, clearly showing that this region is the most

important in terms of aquaculture production.important in terms of aquaculture production.

TTable 3. Portuguese aquaculture production by region of the mainland, in quantity and able 3. Portuguese aquaculture production by region of the mainland, in quantity and value, in 1999.value, in 1999.

Marine production accounted for 80% of the total aquaculture production and shellfish Marine production accounted for 80% of the total aquaculture production and shellfish

represents the major part of this production. The Algarve is the most important region represents the major part of this production. The Algarve is the most important region

in terms of shellfish production (almost all the Portuguese production) as well as of in terms of shellfish production (almost all the Portuguese production) as well as of

marine fish, with the main species being sea bass, sea bream and to a lesser extent marine fish, with the main species being sea bass, sea bream and to a lesser extent

sole.sole.

In 1999 there were 962 In 1999 there were 962 licensed aquaculture unitslicensed aquaculture units of which 938 were for marine and 24 of which 938 were for marine and 24

for freshwater aquaculture. The Algarve region accounts for 71% of the aquaculture for freshwater aquaculture. The Algarve region accounts for 71% of the aquaculture

units and for the largest area occupied by aquaculture (80%) (INE, 1999). units and for the largest area occupied by aquaculture (80%) (INE, 1999).

Available data on Available data on employment in aquacultureemployment in aquaculture is scarce. Nevertheless, it is recognised is scarce. Nevertheless, it is recognised

that the numbers involved in the activity are relatively small, particularly in the case of that the numbers involved in the activity are relatively small, particularly in the case of

extensive production of clams (Mendonça extensive production of clams (Mendonça et al.et al., 1992). The number of workers , 1992). The number of workers

employed in the fish farms varies according to the dimension of the enterprise. Small employed in the fish farms varies according to the dimension of the enterprise. Small

fish farms employ 5 workers, medium dimension farms 20 to 25 workers and large fish farms employ 5 workers, medium dimension farms 20 to 25 workers and large

farms over 50 workers Dinis farms over 50 workers Dinis et alet al., 1999).., 1999).

REFERENCES

Dinis, M.T.; Moreno, C.; Noronha, I. 1999. Estudo de Caracterização e Diagnóstico do sub-sector da Aquicultura Relatório Final. (Characterisation and Diagnosis of aquaculture subsector. Final Report). University of Algarve & CESO ID2. DGPA, Lisbon. 214 p.

INE. 1999. Estatística da Pesca. Instituto Nacional de Estatística. Portugal. 96p.

INE, 2001. Estatística da Pesca 2000. Instituto Nacional de Estatística. 98p.

Mendonça, A.; Cardoso, O. & Guerra, I. 1992. Regional, socio-economic study in the Fisheries sector: Portugal, continente. Commission of the European Communities. Directorate General for Fisheries. Tecninvest. 61p.

Pinho, A. 1999. Impactos Sociais e Regionais das Pescas em Portugal. Pp: 33. In Costa, M.; Ruivo, M.; Costa, J. & Almeida, P. (Eds.). Colóquio Pescas e Ambiente: Uma aliança para o próximo milénio. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa. Caderno de Resumos e Conclusões.

Pilkey, O. H.; Neal, W. J.; Monteiro, J. H.; Dias, J. M., 1989: Algarve barrier islands: a noncoastal-plain system in Portugal. J. Coast. Res. 5, 239-261

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work is part of AQCESS project Q5RS-2000-3115, financed by the European Community.

Region Total registered

fishermen nº tAB kWNorte 6 094 1 849 19 326 81 320Centro 2 526 1 217 28 520 65 305Lisboa e V. Tejo 3 659 3 026 30 274 106 717Alentejo 733 249 1 026 6 560Algarve 6 539 2 260 13 792 73 781Portugal 25 021 10 750 111 691 402 116

Source: INE 2001, Estatistica da Pesca

Registered boats

Region

quantity (t) Value (1000 euros) quantity (t) Value (1000 euros) quantity (t) Value (1000 euros)

Norte 1 081 2 480,5 1 015 1 988,6 66 491,9

Centro 1 020 5 181,8 220 433,3 800 4 748,5

Lisboa e V. Tejo 702 2 855,3 23 96,2 679 2 759,1

Alentejo 288 1 859,1 - - 288 1 859,1

Algarve 3 097 17 182,0 - - 3 097 17 182,0

Portugal 6 280 30 064,6 1 270 2 541,5 5 010 27 523,1

Source: INE 2001, Estatistica da Pesca

Total Freshwater Marine

Region

quantity (t) Value (1000 euros)Norte 26 995 31 676,1

Centro 16 551 20 669,2

Lisboa e V. Tejo 45 113 75 849,3

Alentejo 9 368 11 560,7

Algarve 39 321 75 488,9

Portugal 152 188 251 567,6

Note: frozen, salted and aquaculture not included

Source: INE 2001, Estatistica da Pesca