Most of my previous scientific experience has been acquired thanks to my participation in several projects coordinated by the University of A Coruña (Spain). In addition to my PhD Project, I was actively involved in the following projects:

Fishing sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the Cies Islands, in the National Park Illas Atlanticas de Galicia, Spain

Here the project in Spanish

The Cíes Islands belongs to the National Park Illas Atlánticas de Galicia (Spain). Despite this protection, currently the fishing grounds surrounding the Cíes Islands receive no special regulation and any boat can fish there. Because there is no monitoring mechanism within the National Park, the fishing pressure exerted over the resources in this area is unknown and effective regulations cannot be implemented. Using the local knowledge of fishers, obtained from interviews, this project highlights the spatial and seasonal dynamics of the fishing activity as well as the functioning of the governance system. In this regard 1) we identified the fishing strategies and their catch profiles; 2) described the spatial distribution and seasonality of fishing effort and CPUE; 3) evaluated the importance of the fishery for the economic development of the community; 4) described the governance system and the fishers’ compliance with the rules; and 5) delineated the spatial distribution of marine resources and their essential habitats. The results of this research were essential in suggesting improvements of the management system within the National Park.    

Designing a management strategy to address the ecological sustainability and the social well-being of the fishing community of Yoff, Senegal

Here the project in Spanish

Similar to the previous project, the aim of this work was to provide the needed scientific information to design a management strategy that seeks to address both the sustainability of the resources and the socio-economic development of the local community of Yoff, a small fishing village close to Dakar. Given the cultural differences and lack of resources (e.g. lack of a register for boats, an initial reluctance of the fishermen to provide information and to allow us weigh the catch, etc.), we had to design a methodology adapted to the characteristics of the socio-ecological system. This methodology, performed during 1 year, combined direct (e.g. surveys at the landing area, GPS data) and indirect methods (participant observation, interviews) with the aim of estimating fleet size, identifying fishing strategies, target species and fishing areas; quantifying the temporal distribution of catches and effort, and characterizing the community in economic and social terms.