This profile has recently been updated or completed. Leave a comment to provide feedback

Profile updated on 12 February 2025

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

IDENTIFICATION

SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)

Sardina pilchardus

SPECIES NAME(s)

European pilchard, Sardine, European sardine

The European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the Adriatic Sea was previously divided into Northern and Southern assessment units. Nevertheless, it was concluded that it is a single population with a high genetic flow (Ruggeri et al. 2013). Since 2014, and considering that many Italian vessels fish in GSA 17 but land in GSA 18, it has been considered a single assessment unit (AdriaMED 2015)(SAC 2024).

The fishery for small pelagic fish in the Adriatic Sea targets two species, the European anchovy, and the European pilchard. The fishery is managed through the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), with regulations and recommendations binding to all member states, including the European Community (GFCM n.d.). Management at the EU and national levels complement regional efforts. Members exploiting these stocks are Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, and Montenegro (European Parliament 2022).


ANALYSIS

Strengths
  • A long-term management plan is established for the period 2022–2029 and should follow a precautionary approach. It was approved in 2018 for the small pelagics (anchovy and pilchard), and it is regularly re-evaluated (European Commission 2017)(European Commission 2018)(GFCM 2021) and set in place in 2021 (GFCM 2021).

SCORES

Management Quality:

Management Strategy:

≥ 6

Managers Compliance:

≥ 8

Fishers Compliance:

≥ 6