"Small trades" refers to the body of fishing boats, excepting the trawlers, which have a trawling license and the tuna/sardine boats, which have a pelagic fishing license. The ships that fish for small pelagic fish by using a lamp are only included for the other trades they ply, if applicable. Whereas certain "small trades" work offshore, the majority of them exploit the lagoons and coastal area. The importance of the coastal areas in general, where a large number of biological and ecological processes are being developed, need no longer be demonstrated: A large part of primary and secondary production takes place in these areas, which host moreover many reproduction and nursery sites for a great many species. "Small trade" fishing is one of the main... |