Evidence-Based Fisheries Co-Management Using Habitat-Based Approaches

Natural Art Reef (NAR) offers its experience in fisheries-focused ecological monitoring and co-management frameworks to support evidence-based and participatory fisheries management in Mediterranean coastal systems.

Building on long-term ecological datasets and real-world observation of species of fisheries interest, NAR develops habitat-based and data-driven approaches that link species behaviour, life-cycle dynamics and spatial use of marine ecosystems with management needs. This work is embedded in close collaboration with professional and recreational fishers, local administrations and research institutions, ensuring that scientific knowledge is directly connected to governance and decision-making processes.

Through the design and long-term monitoring of artificial reefs such as El Biotop, NAR generates ecological evidence on how species of fisheries interest interact with structured habitats throughout their life cycles. These reef-based systems function as living laboratories where habitat use, nursery functions, spatial behaviour and vulnerability periods can be observed and linked directly to management needs.

NAR seeks to join European consortia working on sustainable fisheries, co-management models, ecosystem-based management and science–policy interfaces. Within such consortia, NAR can contribute long-term datasets, field-based evidence, strong stakeholder engagement and operational experience to support adaptive, socially grounded and biodiversity-compatible fisheries management strategies.