Smartphone applications (apps) that target recreational fishers are growing in abundance. These apps have the potential to provide data useful for management of recreational fisheries. We surveyed expert opinion in 20, mostly European, countries to assess the current and future status of app use in marine recreational fisheries. The survey revealed that a few countries already use app data to support existing data collection, and that this number is likely to increase within 5–10 years. The strongest barriers to use app data were a scarcity of useful apps and concern over data quality, especially biases due to the opt-in nature of app use. Experts generally agreed that apps were unlikely to be a “stand-alone” method, at least in the short term, but could be of immediate use as a novel approach to collect supporting data such as, fisheries-specific temporal and spatial distributions of fishing effort, and aspects of fisher behaviour. This survey highlighted the growing interest in app data among researchers and managers, but also the need for government agencies and other managers/researchers to coordinate their efforts with the support of survey statisticians to develop and assess apps in ways that will ensure standardisation, data quality, and utility.

The European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a commercially and recreationally important fish widely, distributed across the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Two distinct lineages that represent the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions have been previously identified, with a hybrid zone close to the Almeria–Oran front. The presence of fine-scale population structure within the Northeast Atlantic region is less clear. Here, we investigated population structure in adult samples obtained from the northern part of the Atlantic range surrounding the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Norway, along with outgroups from Portugal and the Mediterranean, using a panel of 41 K single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Population structure among Northeast Atlantic Ocean samples was weak in both spawning—(FST = 0.00022) and feeding—(FST = 0.00032) season data sets, with small pairwise FST values between sample pairs. However, average FST was larger between spawning samples than between feeding samples, with a pattern of isolation-by-distance among the spawning samples, but not the feeding samples, suggesting some biologically meaningful population structure. The largest pairwise FST values at both International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) rectangle and division scales involved a sample from the west of Ireland. We found no evidence of a gradient in “Mediterranean” ancestry among samples collected around the UK in our data set or in a reanalysis of a published data set where such a pattern had been previously identified. In summary, there was no evidence that sea bass in different ICES divisions within the Northeast Atlantic Ocean represents genetically separate populations. Further work is required to reconcile evidence from tagging and modelling studies that suggest the potential for demographic independence with the genetic data.

We compiled 46 years of cetacean strandings in the Algarve, Portugal, describing temporal–spatial patterns, size–sex structure, and causes of death (COD). We analyzed national records and years with a dedicated regional stranding network (SN) to assess annual/seasonal trends, spatial hotspots, and compare biometrics and COD. In total, 1231 strandings were recorded; 73.2% were identified to 19 species. Five species comprised almost 68% of events: common dolphins 39.0%, striped dolphins 8.9%, minke whales 8.0%, bottlenose dolphins 8.0%, and harbor porpoises 4.3%. GAMs confirmed that recorded strandings rose over time and were higher during SN years (mean 63 yr. ⁻¹ ). Stranding hotspots occurred near Cape Santa Maria (Faro–Olhão), Lagos–Portimão, and Sagres; minke whales and harbor porpoises concentrated east of Cape Santa Maria. Seasonality was significant only for minke whales (spring peak). Size–sex patterns were largely similar, with exceptions for larger stranded striped dolphin females and minke strandings dominated by juveniles. COD assignment improved with monitoring and was assessed for 75.6% of the observed carcasses. Bycatch was the leading COD for common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and minke whales. This study highlights the importance of a regional stranding network and a need for more ecological studies of cetaceans in the region.

The common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) supports one of the most valuable small-scale fisheries in Portugal, particularly in the Algarve region, with substantial socioeconomic implications. This species holds significant potential for human consumption due to its low lipid content, favorable fatty acid profile, high-quality protein, and essential microelements. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive characterization of octopus specimens landed in two key Algarve fishing areas—Barlavento/Windward (Alvor Harbour) and Sotavento/Leeward (Fuzeta Harbour). We assessed their nutritional value, focusing on protein quality, lipid indexes, trace minerals, and essential vitamins, as well as overall safety and quality. All regulated contaminants and additional potential risks were also evaluated, yielding fully satisfactory safety results. The research was conducted within the framework of the European Sea2See project, which aims to enhance consumer trust and acceptance of sustainably harvested or farmed seafood in Europe. Our findings demonstrate that Algarve octopus is a nutritionally rich seafood product, promoting cardiovascular health and general well-being.

Small-scale fisheries can exhibit substantial operational heterogeneity, and mass-based life cycle assessment (LCA) does not capture the nutritional function of seafood. This study assessed the environmental performance and nutrient density of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) landed by the Algarve artisanal fleet. A 2023 inventory covering 31 vessels (20 local and 11 coastal; 14 Windward [WW] and 17 Leeward [LW]) was modelled using Environmental Footprint (EF) 3.1, with ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) as a sensitivity analysis. Nutritional uncertainty was propagated through 1000 Monte Carlo iterations, while environmental robustness was assessed through contribution analysis and LCIA-method sensitivity. Impacts were expressed per 100 points of an exploratory nutrient-density index incorporating 17 positive and two limiting components (NRF17.2-Ov). Fuel-use intensity (FUI) was 0.71 L/kg for local and 1.10 L/kg for coastal; climate-change impacts were 3.26 and 3.88 kg CO eq/kg, respectively. LW exceeded WW in 24 of 25 reported EF indicators. Diesel dominated climate change and marine eutrophication, whereas fishing gear dominated freshwater eutrophication. NRF17.2-Ov scores were 269 for WW and 299 for LW (P [LW > WW] = 0.93). Nutritional normalization reduced the LW-WW environmental gap to 9–36% but did not change the ordering. Fuel efficiency, gear durability and bait traceability appear as the main improvement priorities.: