Habitat mapping in marine protected areas and tackle ghost fishing

• Grant number: 19/19502-2
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2020
• End date: October 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering
• Agreement: Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística - Fundação Florestal
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Miguel Casarini
• Grantee: Luiz Miguel Casarini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesca. Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/02200-3 - Detection, removal and features of ghost fishing gear, BP.TT; 20/06595-0 - Detection, removal and features of ghost fishing gear, BP.TT; 20/06928-9 - Digital image processing of marine habitats, BP.TT

Abstract

The effect of fishing goes beyond the removal of biomass, it also generates lost, abandoned or discarded fishing gear, known as ghost gear, a recurring problem in protected areas not only in the state of São Paulo, but in Brazil and worldwide. The aims of this study are: map and classify marine habitats by acoustic and digital images; detect, identify and remove ghost gear for sustainable recycling; assess impacts on the marine environment in the areas of the Xixová-Japuí State Park (PEXJ) and Laje de Santos Marine State Park (PEMLS) and the Marine Protection Area - Centre Littoral (APAMLC). From January 2020 to December 2021, 10 surveys will be carried out for habitat mapping, detection and ghost gear removal using side scan sonar, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS (drone), towed underwater camera, scientific diving and visual inspection) in Laje dos Moleques (PEXJ), around Moela island, Laje da Conceição, Pedro II rocky outcrop and the Itaguaçu Sector - area of the pipeline and the optical cable system in APAMLC, and Brilhante, Bandolim, Novo and Sudoeste rocky outcrops, besides Laje de Santos and Calhaus (PEMLS). The results will provide key information for spatial planning and strategies for the management and conservation of fishery resources. Enabling an ecosystem approach to the management of human activities to protect the marine environment and the recycling of ghost gear to sustainable polymer products with high added environmental value. The knowledge generated on the issue of ghost fishing can be widely replicated and continued by the management of protected areas to elaborate strategies to tackle with this serious environmental impact. (AU)