EastMed Technical Documents 04
Report of the Technical Meeting on the Lessepsian Migration and its Impact on Eastern Mediterranean Fishery
Nicosia, Cyprus 7-9 December 2010
Abstract
The Sub-regional technical meeting on the Lessepsian migration and its impact on Eastern Mediterranean fisheries was held in Nicosia, Cyprus form the 7th to 9th of December 2010. Experts from Cyprus, Egypt, Gaza Strip and West Bank, Greece, Italy, Lebanon and Turkey attended the meeting. After the opening of the meeting two general presentations were given concerning the “tropicalisation” effect and the oceanography of the Eastern Mediterranean. Information regarding lessepsian species and their influence on local fisheries were also given by the representatives of each country. The participants discussed future research ideas on lessepsian species especially with respect to fisheries. The problem of Lagocephalus Sceleratus was highly discussed since this species is causing considerable damage to fisher’s static nets and longlines in all the countries in the project area. The participants mentioned that some lessepsian species such as Siganus spp. And Saurida undosquamis, among others were successfully introduced into the local markets and in some cases of high commercial value. The marketing and commericalisation of lessepsian species was seen as of high priority. Educating the local public was also important since for example lagocephalus spp. Is a toxic species and there is a high risk of death if people consume individuals of this species. A network of experts on lessepsian was established, which would have the responsibility to promote the issue of lessepsian species in the Mediterranean and develop a database on lessepsian species. The network will also assist the Coordination Committee through the focal points to propose solutions to avoid the harmful effects of lessepsian species on the Eastern Mediterranean fisheries. Most of the issues described in this report are at the moment relevant to the Eastern Mediterranean which however, in the near future will surely increase in importance in the other parts of the Mediterranean.
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