Study of the trawling activity from fishing vessels geolocation systems, as a tool for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management

This study provides an integrated assessment of trawling activities across the Mediterranean Sea by combining AIS data with spatial analyses and predictive modelling. The research investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort, including the estimation of potential hidden trawling activity, across multiple fleet segments—bottom, pelagic, and beam trawls—and at different spatial and thematic scales. The work was conducted within the framework of coordinated scientific and management initiatives, including the H2020 EcoScope project, the NBFC, and technical support to the GFCM, aligned with ecosystem‑based fisheries management principles. AIS‑derived indicators were integrated with spatial analyses and ensemble species distribution models to quantify fishing effort and potential hidden trawling at the Mediterranean basin scale, within selected deep‑water strata of the Eastern and Central Mediterranean, and at high spatial resolution in the Adriatic Sea. Future trends of bottom trawling under climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) were explored using predictive models developed during a research period abroad at the Spanish IEO. Results indicate that bottom trawling effort is predominantly concentrated in coastal and shelf regions, with persistent hotspots and a projected northward shift under climate change scenarios. Hidden effort, though representing a small fraction of total activity, with a maximum per‑cell underestimation of approximately 1%, occurs in sensitive areas such as the Po Delta, the Thermaic Gulf, and offshore Israel, highlighting monitoring and compliance challenges. Deep‑water red shrimp analyses contributed to technical guidance for GFCM bottom‑trawl management plans. High‑resolution Adriatic analyses further revealed distinct operational patterns among trawl fleets and spatial overlap with vulnerable habitats and species, informing area‑based management, including Fishery Restricted Areas (FRAs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Overall, the study demonstrates that integrating AIS analytics, species distribution modelling, and ecosystem‑based approaches supports adaptive fisheries governance and enhances sustainable, climate‑resilient trawl fisheries management.