Recent evolution of fishery and land reclamation in Curonian and Lesina lagoons |
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Authors: | Paolo Breber Ramūnas Povilanskas Au?rin? Armaitien? |
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Institution: | (1) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pola, 4, 71010 Lesina (FG), Italy;(2) Klaipėda University, H. Manto g. 84, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania |
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Abstract: | The evolution of fishery and land reclamation in Lesina (Italy) and Curonian (Lithuania/Russia) lagoons was analysed as an
example of recent trends in European coastal lagoons. Social and political changes were considered, addressing resource exploitation
and inherent impacts on ecosystems. In both lagoons, the mismanagement of the fish stock led to the depletion of fish resources
and to the decline of commercial fishery. In parallel, vast wetland fringes were reclaimed and turned into intensively managed
farmland, with a marked loss of aquatic–terrestrial ecotones. In the last decades, the annual fish yield fell to less than
40 kg ha−1 in the Lesina lagoon, where the fishermen dwindled to 40 units, mostly pensioners rounding off their income. Recently, in
the Curonian lagoon, more than 100 small private fishing enterprises were licensed to fish. Overall, the landed catches were
difficult to monitor, which resulted in a substantial uncontrolled landing of fish (up to 60% of the fish yield). Under these
conditions, the sustainable exploitation of lagoons and their resources can be achieved through an integrated management of
watershed and lagoons. The restoration of ecotones, marshes and floodplains and the preservation of semi-natural agricultural
ecosystems have to be considered as priorities. Examples of such approach are provided by pilot programs, aiming at the commercial
exploitation of the reed belts along the Curonian lagoon fringes. Reed harvesting would increase the acreage of important
migration corridors and spawning habitats for fish, also providing an additional income to the local communities.
Guest editors: A. Razinkovas, Z. R. Gasiūnaitė, J. M. Zaldivar and P. Viaroli
European Lagoons and their Watersheds: Function and Biodiversity |
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Keywords: | Adriatic Baltic Coastal lagoons Land reclamation Fishing |
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