Characterisation of shellfishing gathering on the north coast of Gran Canaria

Abstract

Shellfish gathering has been practised in the Canary Islands since pre-Hispanic times. Currently, there are regulations that limit it, both at professional and recreational level. However, there is no monitoring of the activity, especially of recreational gathering, which is why it is a data-poor fishery. In this study, a series of surveys were carried out among shellfish harvesters on the north coast of the island of Gran Canaria, with the aim of obtaining information on the state of these resources in order to improve the scarce knowledge of this fishery. It was found that the regulation is frequently not complied in several of its sections and that it is likely that some of the stocks of the target species (limpets in particular) could be fully exploited. Control of the activity and other measures are necessary to avoid the collapse of these resources.