2015-06-19 (IPMA)
A bivalve survey was carried out along the Southwest coast of Portugal, in June 2014, with the objective of assessing the conservation status of the commercial species (Spisula solida, Chamelea gallina, Ensis siliqua, Callista chione and Donax spp.). In terms of spatial distribution, it was observed an increase for E. siliqua and S. solida and a decrease for Donax spp. For the other two species the distribution remained unchanged comparatively to 2010. In the case of S. solida although it was registered an increase of mean fishing yield, a low proportion of juveniles in the catch was also observed. The results obtained for C. chione evidenced an overexploitation of the adult fraction. The mean fishing yield increase significantly for E. siliqua and decreased for Donax spp. Based on these findings several management measures were proposed.