Assessing the importance of kelp forests for small-scale fisheries under a global change scenario

Kelp forests are critical habitats for temperate coasts that experiencing dramatic declines worldwide in recent decades. Yet, even though they often support wildlife populations of high socioeconomic value, the consequences kelp forest decline small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have received surprisingly little attention. Here, we take first step to fill this gap through local ecological knowledge (LEK) SSF fishers whose associated with habitat NW Spain. LEK was used 1) estimate loss, 2) identify main forests, 3) gain insight into changes these may undergone times, 4) evaluate economic importance study area, and 5) describe commercial chain exploited kelps relevant related them. Fisher’s documented interviews help a semi-structured questionnaire open–closed questions about fishery its target species. Additionally, participants were asked map current former (20 years ago) distribution their fishing area. Results show range fish, crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms, itself fished/harvested suggesting value those The most intensively targeted species usually belong first-sale data indicate worth some 10 million euros economy. On other hand, compared two decades ago, reported substantial contraction area occupied by decreases typically habitat. Landing partly perception catches. Altogether, information will be useful foster conservation socioecological implications SSFs.