The importance of recreational fisheries is increasing in many transitional economies. These guidelines focus on recreational fisheries and describe strategies to promote environmentally sustainable and socially responsible management of such fisheries. To this end, the document details policy, managerial and behavioural recommendations for sustainable recreational fisheries.

In the last decades, the human harvesting of marine resources became more efficient as the understanding of the habits and behaviours of the various species available in the sea gradually increased. Technologies naturally developed over time and fishing systems became more sophisticated and increasingly adapted to catch the most desirable species and sizes. This evolution is still in progress and technological development goes on especially in the Mediterranean area, where small and relatively old fishing vessels are traditionally used. These technical advances in fishing gears have generally led to more efficient fishing operations and improved access to resources and fishing grounds. On the other hand, general awareness on the environmental problems due to the exploitation of fisheries resources has also increased. Therefore, in order to preserve fishery resources and marine environments, fishing gears and their impacts need to be further investigated and less impacting techniques should be developed. In this regard, fishing technologists are responsible to provide fishery managers as well as fishermen and stakeholders, with useful advice and technical solutions for mitigating adverse impacts of fishing gears. By taking these problems into account, the book contents are based on the requirements of ecosystem-approach to fisheries management. The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of the FAO (1995) encouraged the use of selective, environmentally safe and cost effective gear and techniques. Thus the book aims at providing information on sustainable fishing technologies, and transfers the expertise on fishing technology to Mediterranean fisheries scientists and end-users such as fisheries managers, administrators, controllers etc. This book is structured to provide information on fishing gear technology, selectivity, bycatch-impact reduction and fishing vessel technology, with particular attention to the Mediterranean context. The information included might be used to learn how to assess the impacts and selectivity of different fishing gears and find technical solutions to mitigate these impacts and to address scientific studies. Furthermore, advices on the properties of fishing vessels affecting energy efficiency have been also considered in order to address possible technical changes to the currents boats. Finally the contents of this book might be considered as a useful tool when preparing management measures as well as for the establishment, enforcement or improvement of fishing rules.

This book addresses ecological and environmental issues associated with responsible and sustainable marine fisheries. It includes 22 chapters and has been developed from the Conference on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem held in Iceland in October 2001. Contents include: a global overview of marine capture fisheries; legal protection for marine ecosystems; dynamics of marine ecosystems; the role of man in marine ecosystems; and incorporating ecosystem considerations in fisheries management. The book has a subject index.

This study addresses the main ethical issues in fisheries and the moral imperatives to which they give rise and considers the role and scope of ethics in the management of the sector. Particular reference is made to the institutional foundations of fisheries policies as reflected in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Concrete examples and case studies support or illustrate the themes presented. This introduction to a holistic, ethical approach to fisheries pays special attention to the effects of fisheries management and social policy upon people's living conditions.