The Collapse of a Wedge Clam Fishery in the Spanish Mediterranean Coast and Recovery Problems

In the sandy shores of Spanish Mediterranean, Donax trunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) has a high commercial interest. Gulf Valencia, poor management fishing activity led to its closure in June 2015. The objective this study was analyze evolution catches D. before fishery as well biomass and density population months following closure, plus 2 y later. area located main which belongs fleet Gandia Fishermen's Guild. beds for clam are found on sediments shallow waters (between 0 m). During 10 previous annual catch per unit effort suffered sharp decrease, falling from values between 37 42 (kg small vessel–1 d–1) during period 2004–2008 5.5 2014. After wedge showed seasonal pattern, with maximum summer, notable differences densities along shore each sampled month. Furthermore, different size–frequency distribution across depth, smaller individuals shallower areas, observed. Nevertheless, general considerable decline 2015 (monthly mean ranged 24 48 kg ha–1) 2017 (from 4 13 noted. This indicates that did not improve state population. There several hypotheses could explain such overfishing, changes environmental conditions, higher predation (in benthic planktonic phases), reduction food availability. Therefore, there would be need them greater increase understanding spatial dynamics connectivity beds.