Spearfishing in Portugal: A baseline study on spearfishers’ profiles, habits and perceptions towards management measures

Despite the relatively high number of spearfishing practitioners in Portugal, scientific information on spearfishing is limited. A web-based survey was conducted to obtain socio-economic information on Portuguese spearfishers, identify the most common fishing habitats, target species, fishing effort, and evaluate their perceptions towards management and conservation measures. Results suggest that spearfishing is essentially seen as promoting well-being, escaping the daily routine and outdoor enjoyment. Favourable environmental conditions and habitat availability seem to play an important role in the fishing effort, with warmer, less exposed rocky bottoms covered with algae being the most appreciated for spearfishing. Spearfishers reported targeting mostly two species: European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and the white seabream Diplodus sargus. The added fishing mortality caused by spearfishers should be included in stock assessment of these species. Most respondents felt that the management measures in place were inappropriate and unfair for the spearfishing activity.