How Can We Reduce the Overexploitation of the Mediterranean Resources?

Based on the characteristics of the fishing sector (multispecies and multi-gears) and the stock status of main resources (overfishing and overexploitation), some suggestions to improve the sustainability of demersal and small pelagic fisheries in the Mediterranean are proposed. In fisheries exploiting single or few species, such as small pelagics and deep-water red shrimps, the adoption of a management system based on catch quota approaches is suggested. In the case of mixed fisheries exploiting species with very different biological traits, it is proposed to reduce the fishing effort to a level corresponding to the lower range of the “pretty good yield” of the main target species while improving the status of the most sensitive associated species, adopting technical measures to mitigate fishing mortality. The feasibility of the proposed approaches is briefly discussed, taking into account the different levels of development of the Mediterranean countries.

Download Full-text

Fisheries in the Mediterranean

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.2 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 97

Author(s):

C. PAPACONSTANTINOU ◽

H. FARRUGIO

Keyword(s):

Time Series Data ◽

Early Stage ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Fishing Effort ◽

Series Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

General Description ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Mediterranean

The aim of this paper is to give a description of the Mediterranean fisheries, and its level of exploitation and to address the main questions dealing with its management. The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed marine area with generally narrow continental shelves. The primary production of the Mediterranean is among the lowest in the world (26-50g C m-2 y-1). The Mediterranean fisheries can be broken down into three main categories: small scale fisheries, trawling and seining fisheries, which operated on demersal, small pelagic and large pelagic resources. After a general description of the state of the resources in the different areas of the Mediterranean it is concluded that (a) the overall pictures from the western to the eastern Mediterranean are not considerably different, (b) the total landings in the Mediterranean have been increased the last decades, and (c) from the perspective of stock assessment, the very few available time series data show stable yield levels. In general fisheries management in the Mediterranean is at a rela- tively early stage of development, judging by the criteria of North Atlantic fisheries. Quota systems are generally not applied, mesh-size regulations usually are set at low levels relative to scientific advice, and effort limitation is not usually applied or, if it is, is not always based on a formal resource assessment. The conservation/management measures applied by the Mediterranean countries can be broadly separated into two major categories: those aiming to keep the fishing effort under control and those aiming to make the exploitation pattern more rational. The most acute problems in the management of the Mediterranean resources are the multispecificity of the catches and the lack of reliable official statistics.

Download Full-text

A Multi-level Approach to the Study of the Seal Impressions

Iran and the Caucasus ◽

10.1163/157338407x265432 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 195-200

Author(s):

Vito Messina

Keyword(s):

Complex Analysis ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Current Trend ◽

Direct Consequence ◽

New Approach ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Multi Level ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Seal Impressions ◽

Different Levels

AbstractRecent discovery of clay-sealings and clay-tablets' hoards in ancient sites from the Mediterranean countries to the Indian Subcontinent enriched the acquired knowledge on seal impressions. Excavations brought to light new statistic and extrinsic data: the need of a complex analysis of the seal impressions is the direct consequence of the increased information and a new approach has been defined during specific studies. The current trend is to discriminate between intrinsic and extrinsic data by defining the different levels of information. The aim of this paper is to point by selected examples to the results of some recent works and to focus on the new multi-level approach to the study of seal impressions.

Download Full-text

Ecotrophic Effects of Fishing across the Mediterranean Sea

Water ◽

10.3390/w13040482 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 482

Author(s):

Donna Dimarchopoulou ◽

Ioannis Keramidas ◽

Georgios Sylaios ◽

Athanassios C. Tsikliras

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Marine Ecosystems ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Levantine Sea ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Status ◽

Southern Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

And Function

The status of the Mediterranean Sea fisheries was evaluated across the seven subdivisions of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), using ecotrophic and catch-based indicators for the period 1970–2017. All indicators confirmed that the fishery resources across the Mediterranean Sea are no longer sustainably exploited and that the structure and function of marine ecosystems has been altered as a result of overexploitation. Although declining catches were a common feature across the Mediterranean Sea, the pattern of exploitation and the state of stocks differed among the subdivisions, with the Levantine Sea and Sardinia having a better status. Although they only include the exploited biological resources of marine ecosystems, catch and ecotrophic indicators can provide insight on ecosystem status and fishing pressure. In the case of southern Mediterranean countries, catch and trophic levels are the only information available, which is extremely valuable in data-poor ecosystems.

Download Full-text

The Selection of Children's Books Translated from Spanish to Galician, Basque and Catalan (1940–80)

International Research in Children s Literature ◽

10.3366/e1755619809000726 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 243-258

Author(s):

Mónica Domínguez Pérez

Keyword(s):

Social Economic ◽

Children’S Literature ◽

Status Quo ◽

Intercultural Relations ◽

Children's Books ◽

Source Text ◽

The Status ◽

Castilian Spanish ◽

Different Levels ◽

Selection Of

This study deals with children's literature translated from Castilian Spanish into Galician, Basque and Catalan by a different publisher from that of the source text, between 1940 and 1980, and with the criteria used to choose books for translation during that period. It compares the different literatures within Spain and examines the intersystemic and intercultural relations that the translations reflect. Following the polysystems theory, literature is here conceived as a network of agents of different kinds: authors, publishers, readers, and literary models. Such a network, called a polysystem, is part of a larger social, economic, and cultural network. These extra-literary considerations play an important role in determining the selection of works to be translated. The article suggests that translations can be said to establish transcultural relations, and that they demonstrate different levels of power within a specific interliterary community. It concludes that, while translations may aim to change the pre-existent relationships, frequently they just reflect the status quo.

Download Full-text

Association between the Mediterranean lifestyle, metabolic syndrome and mortality: a whole-country cohort in Spain

Cardiovascular Diabetology ◽

10.1186/s12933-020-01195-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mercedes Sotos-Prieto ◽

Rosario Ortolá ◽

Miguel Ruiz-Canela ◽

Esther Garcia-Esquinas ◽

David Martínez-Gómez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Cardiovascular Mortality ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Total Mortality ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Low Hdl ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract Background Evidence is limited about the joint health effects of the Mediterranean lifestyle on cardiometabolic health and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the Mediterranean lifestyle with the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Spain. Methods Data were taken from ENRICA study, a prospective cohort of 11,090 individuals aged 18+ years, representative of the population of Spain, who were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes at 2008–2010 and were followed-up to 2017. The Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed at baseline with the 27-item MEDLIFE index (with higher score representing better adherence). Results Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of MEDLIFE, those in the highest quartile had a multivariable-adjusted odds ratio 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5, 0.93) for MS, 0.63. (0.51, 0.80) for abdominal obesity, and 0.76 (0.63, 0.90) for low HDL-cholesterol. Similarly, a higher MELDIFE score was associated with lower HOMA-IR and highly-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P-trend < 0.001). During a mean follow-up of 8.7 years, 330 total deaths (74 CVD deaths) were ascertained. When comparing those in highest vs. lowest quartile of MEDLIFE, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) was 0.58 (0.37, 0.90) for total mortality and 0.33 (0.11, 1.02) for cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions The Mediterranean lifestyle was associated with lower frequency of MS and reduced all-cause mortality in Spain. Future studies should determine if this also applies to other Mediterranean countries, and also improve cardiovascular health outside the Mediterranean basin.

Download Full-text

Family Meals, Conviviality and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2499

Author(s):

Andrea de la Torre-Moral ◽

Sergi Fàbregues ◽

Anna Bach-Faig ◽

Albert Fornieles-Deu ◽

F. Xavier Medina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Family Meals ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Family Meal ◽

Food Pattern ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Family ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Meal Composition

Two aspects that characterize the Mediterranean diet (MD) are “what” and “how” we eat. Conviviality relates to “how” we eat and to the pleasure of sharing meals with significant people. The most studied concept is “family meals”, which includes conviviality, which involves “enjoying” family meals. Given the lack of research on convivial family meals in Mediterranean countries, the purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the family meal representations and practices of families with 12- to 16-year-old adolescents to assess whether they responded to a pattern of conviviality, and to examine their association with MD adherence. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted and food frequency and family meal questionnaires were administered. A food pattern analysis was carried out and digital photos of meals were analyzed to examine eating habits and meal composition, respectively. The findings showed that parents believed family meals are a space for socialization and communication. Items relating to the conviviality of family meals identified in the study were meal frequency, meals at the table, lack of digital distractions, pleasant conversations, and time spent on family meals. Attention should be paid to conviviality in Mediterranean families when designing multi-approach strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

Download Full-text

Sustainable exploitation of temperate fish stocks

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2009.0516 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 124-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Henrik Sparholt ◽

Robin M. Cook

Keyword(s):

Species Interactions ◽

Fishery Management ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Single Species ◽

Fishing Effort ◽

Theoretical Concept ◽

Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽

Production Model ◽

The Status ◽

Long Time

The theory of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) underpins many fishery management regimes and is applied principally as a single species concept. Using a simple dynamic biomass production model we show that MSY can be identified from a long time series of multi-stock data at a regional scale in the presence of species interactions and environmental change. It suggests that MSY is robust and calculable in a multispecies environment, offering a realistic reference point for fishery management. Furthermore, the demonstration of the existence of MSY shows that it is more than a purely theoretical concept. There has been an improvement in the status of stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, but our analysis suggests further reductions in fishing effort would improve long-term yields.

Download Full-text

Future water-related risks and management options in the Mediterranean basin

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10570 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marianela Fader ◽

Carlo Giupponi ◽

Selmin Burak ◽

Hamouda Dakhlaoui ◽

Aristeidis Koutroulis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Change ◽

Water Use ◽

Mediterranean Basin ◽

Demand Management ◽

Climate And Environmental Change ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Future ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

The presentation will summarize the main findings of the chapter &#8220;Water&#8221;[1] of the report &#8220;Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin &#8211; Current Situation and Risks for the Future&#8221;. This report was published in November 2020 and prepared by 190 scientists from 25 countries, who belong to the scientific network &#8220;Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change&#8221;.Water resources in the Mediterranean are scarce, unevenly distributed and often mismatching human and environmental needs. Approx. 180 million people in the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries suffer from water scarcity (<1000 m3 capita-1 yr-1). The main water use is for agriculture, and more specifically on the southern and eastern rim. Water demand for both tourism and agriculture peak in summer, potentially enhancing conflicts in the future. Municipal water use is particularly constrained in the south and will likely be exacerbated in the future by demographic and migration phenomena. Northern countries face additional risks in flood prone areas where urban settlements are rapidly increasing.Climate change, in combination with demographic and socio-economic developments, has mainly negative consequences for the water cycle in the Mediterranean Basin, including reduced runoff and groundwater recharge, increased crop water requirements, increased conflicts among users, and increased risk of overexploitation and degradation. These impacts will be particularly severe for global warming higher than 2&#176;C.Adequate water supply and demand management offers some options to cope with risks. Technical solutions are available for improving water use efficiency and productivity, and increasing reuse. Seawater desalination is increasingly used as adaptation measure to reduce (potable) water scarcity in dry Mediterranean countries, despite known drawbacks in terms of environmental impacts and energy requirements. Promising solar technologies are under development, potentially reducing emissions and costs. Reuse of wastewater is a solution for agriculture and industrial activities but also recharge of aquifers. Inter-basin transfers may lead to controversies and conflicts. Construction of dams contributes to the reduction of water and energy scarcities, but with trade-offs in terms of social and environmental impacts.Overall, water demand management, which increases water use efficiency and reduces water losses, is crucial for water governance for a sustainable development. Maintaining Mediterranean diet or coming back to it on the basis of locally produced foods and reducing food wastes may save water but also carbon emissions while having nutritional and health benefits.<div> <div> [1] Fader M., Giupponi C., Burak S., Dakhlaoui H., Koutroulis A., Lange M.A., Llasat M.C., Pulido-Velazquez D., Sanz-Cobe&#241;a A. (2020): Water. In: Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin &#8211; Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer W, Guiot J, Marini K (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, 57pp, in press. Download </div> </div>

Download Full-text

Abstract TP423: A Fast Assessment of Diet in Stroke (FADS)

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.tp423 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer L Dearborn ◽

Haleigh Roach ◽

Pooja Narwal ◽

Meghan Peterson ◽

Sameera Talegawkar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Quality ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Dietary Counseling ◽

Men 2 ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Unhealthy Diet ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Low Sensitivity

Objectives: To design and validate a questionnaire to identify stroke patients with an unhealthy diet. Hypothesis: A simple questionnaire can accurately identify patients with dietary patterns associated with increased risk for vascular disease. Methods: An expert panel identified the components of a healthy diet thought to be important for secondary stroke prevention and drafted ten candidate survey questions. A focus group of four stroke patients (2 men, 2 women) from Yale New Haven Hospital reviewed the questions to refine the wording. From this group, the investigator chose five questions to create the Fast Assessment of Diet in Stroke (FADS) score. To validate the score, among 20 patients with acute ischemic stroke, we compared FADS score to the score on an established “gold standard” measure of adherence to the Mediterranean-type diet, the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). The MDS has a range of 0 (lowest adherence to the diet) to 9 (highest adherence). We used ROC curve analysis to identify the FADS score with optimal performance. Based on population means in non-Mediterranean countries, we defined an unhealthy diet as an MDS score <4. Results and Conclusions: The mean MDS score in the population was 3.2 (range 2 to 5). 74% of participants were defined as having an unhealthy diet (MDS <4). The aROC was 0.77. A FADS score ≤3 had had the highest sum for sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity = 79%, specificity = 50%). However, for clinical purposes, a FADS score of <3 may be most effective in selecting patients who need dietary counseling (sensitivity = 46%, specificity = 100%). The FADS score takes less than 2 minutes to administer and accurately identifies stroke patients who need dietary counseling. The low sensitivity, however, indicates that further development is required and that testing against other established gold standards of dietary quality should be completed. This work is under way.

Download Full-text

Emerging Mosquito-Borne Threats and the Response from European and Eastern Mediterranean Countries

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122775 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2775 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Nicholas Johnson ◽

Mar Fernández de Marco ◽

Armando Giovannini ◽

Carla Ippoliti ◽

Maria Danzetta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Global Climate ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Human Populations ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Wildlife Migration ◽

Different Levels ◽

Autochthonous Transmission

Mosquito-borne viruses are the cause of some of the greatest burdens to human health worldwide, particularly in tropical regions where both human populations and mosquito numbers are abundant. Due to a combination of anthropogenic change, including the effects on global climate and wildlife migration there is strong evidence that temperate regions are undergoing repeated introduction of mosquito-borne viruses and the re-emergence of viruses that previously were not detected by surveillance. In Europe, the repeated introductions of West Nile and Usutu viruses have been associated with bird migration from Africa, whereas the autochthonous transmission of chikungunya and dengue viruses has been driven by a combination of invasive mosquitoes and rapid transcontinental travel by infected humans. In addition to an increasing number of humans at risk, livestock and wildlife, are also at risk of infection and disease. This in turn can affect international trade and species diversity, respectively. Addressing these challenges requires a range of responses both at national and international level. Increasing the understanding of mosquito-borne transmission of viruses and the development of rapid detection methods and appropriate therapeutics (vaccines / antivirals) all form part of this response. The aim of this review is to consider the range of mosquito-borne viruses that threaten public health in Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, and the national response of a number of countries facing different levels of threat.

Download Full-text