Overview of the black scabbardfish fishing

The black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) is the most important resource exploited in Madeira Island (30º00’-33º10’N; 15º50’-17º20’W, in the North Eastern Atlantic).

In the year 2000, around 4 200 tons of A. carbo were landed in Madeira. About 40 small traditional boats are now involved in this fishery, operating with horizontal drifting longlines. The main fishing grounds are located in the south coast of the island, from ca 800 to 1,200 meters deep.

This poster describes the development of this fishery in Madeira and presents data on annual landings over a 60-year period. The annual catch size composition and the fishing effort employed in recent years (1998-2000) are analyzed. The technical characteristics of the fleet and the description of the fishing gear are also presented.