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A diary that presents Prespa’s unique fish species, the threats they face, and a variety of information relating to institutional issues for fisheries in the area.
Citation preview
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
ΟCTOBER
ΝΟVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
ΜΑRCH
ΑPRIL
CLOSED SEA
SON
CLOSED SEA
SON
FishFisheriesPrespa
&in
FishFisheriesPrespa
&in
Dear friends,
We’re sure you will wonder why you have received this diary in the middle of spring, and also why the year begins in May. The answer is that although we have reached the fifth month of the human calendar, for the fish it is only the beginning of their cycle of life. During this period the fish are looking for suitable places to spawn in warm and shallow water. That’s why fishing in the Prespa Lakes is prohibited during this season, so we ensure the safety of the spawning fish.
Prespa’s fish are one of the main features of the area because of the unique nature of the species which live in the lakes. Out of the 23 species found in the area, 9 are endemic. This means that they exist only in the Prespa Lakes and nowhere else in the world. It is this exclusivity that makes Prespa one of the most important regions in the Mediterranean.
At the same time, fishing is one of the most important activities in the region. Generations upon generations have grown up in Prespa enjoying the fish from its lakes. This relationship, between the protection of these rare fish species and the viability of Prespa’s fisheries, is closely interrelated, and we are obliged to preserve it for the benefit of both man and nature.
© S
PP A
RCH
IVE
/ LIF
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/ A
. Bon
etti
Society for the Protectionof Prespa
“Those of us who live permanently beside the lake see its problems up close. At any given time, whoever wants to fish just goes and fishes, whether he has a licence or not, and whether he’s from here or not. No one controls it. Even in the closed season this goes on; even then there’s no control.”
Professional fisherman, Prespa
© S
PP A
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/ St.
Vogi
atzi
sCarpCyprinus carpio
The common carp is the largest fish living in the lakes, and can exceed a metre in length and 25 kilos in weight. It was introduced into both lakes, probably during the Roman period or the Byzantine era. In spite of this fact, it is often
assumed to be indigenous since the introduction happened so long ago and the species has adapted well to the ecosystem. It lives on the bottom of the lake and is phytophilous, meaning that it spawns its eggs in shallow areas with low vegetation near the edge of the lake. Its spawning period is from April to June.
MAY
2012
CLOSED SEA
SON
© S
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CLOSED SEA
SON
APRIL|MAY2012
30 MONDAY
01 TUESDAY
02 WEDNESDAY
03 THURSDAY
04 FRIDAY
05 SATURDAY
06 SUNDAYFishing is prohibited in Mikri and Megali
Prespa Lakes during the period when the fish
spawn. This period is known as the “closed
season” and it lasts from the middle to the
end of spring.
CLOSED SEA
SON
MAY2012
07 MONDAY
08 TUESDAY
09 WEDNESDAY
10 THURSDAY
11 FRIDAY
12 SATURDAY
13 SUNDAYIllegal fishing during the closed season,
when fishing is prohibited, is catastrophic
for the fish because the females are taken
away before they manage to lay their
millions of eggs.
Clean and wash the carp, cut it into portions and leave them to one side until all the liquid has drained off.Meanwhile, peel the onions and cut them into slices. Put the oil into a baking tray and heat it until it smokes, throw in the onions and the remaining ingredients except for the fish. After sautéing the vegetables, add the fish portions and splash oil with a little water over them. Bake in the oven for around an hour.
Carp ‘Stifado’Serves 5-6
Ingredients2 kilos of carp
1 ½ cups of oil
1 ½ kilos of onions
4 cloves of garlic
Parsley
A few tomatoes or some tomato sauce
2 bay leaves
1 finely chopped red pepper
Salt and black pepper
Bon appetit!
CLOSED SEA
SON
MAY2012
14 MONDAY
15 TUESDAY
16 WEDNESDAY
17 THURSDAY
18 FRIDAY
19 SATURDAY
20 SUNDAYThe common carp is one of the fisheries’
most sought after fish due to its high
commercial value.
CLOSED SEA
SON
MAY2012
21 MONDAY
22 TUESDAY
23 WEDNESDAY
24 THURSDAY
25 FRIDAY
26 SATURDAY
27 SUNDAY The common carp population has been
boosted over time through re-stocking, the
effectiveness of which is not certain as it
also involves many risks.
Prespa roach Rutilus prespensis
Maximum length: 23cmMaximum length: Vulnerable
The Prespa roach is an om-nivorous species, living mainly at the edges of the lake. It is phytophilous, reproducing in shallow waters with aquatic plants between May and June. It is the most abundant species in the lakes and its population appears stable in both lakes.
JUN
E201
2
© S
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/ A. B
onet
ti
Man and nature co-exist harmoniously
CLOSED SEA
SON
© S
PP A
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/ LIF
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/ A. B
onet
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28 MONDAY
29 TUESDAY
30 WEDNESDAY
31 THURSDAY
1 FRIDAY
2 SATURDAY
3 SUNDAY
MAY|JUNE2012
The Prespa roach and the Prespa bleak
are the most numerous fish species
in the Prespa Lakes.
CLOSED SEA
SON
04 MONDAY
05 TUESDAY
06 WEDNESDAY
07 THURSDAY
08 FRIDAY
09 SATURDAY
10 SUNDAY
JUNE2012
The Prespa roach is an important
food source for fish-eating birds.
CLOSED SEA
SON
11 MONDAY
12 TUESDAY
13 WEDNESDAY
14 THURSDAY
15 FRIDAY
16 SATURDAY
17 SUNDAY
JUNE2012
Wet meadows are a haven for many aquatic organisms,
and they are the main spawning grounds for fish;
the management of wet meadows in the lakeside area
in Mikri Prespa Lake is therefore a primary activity
of the Society for the Protection of Prespa.
CLOSED SEA
SON
Ώρα Μήκος διχτυών Μέγεθος ματιού ΚιλάΕίδος
One of the most basic activities that the Society for the Protection of Prespa carries out in order to protect fish species is the monitoring of their populations in our lakes. The collection and statistical processing of data is a tool which helps to complete the picture we have of the fish; the more we know about the fluctuations in their populations, the better we are able to manage fish reserves in the lakes.
An integrated data collection method requires recording the frequency of fishery activities (how many times a week and how many hours the nets are in the lake), the type and size of equipment (ength and mesh size), the species and the amount which is caught. All these pieces of information are used to calculate an index, which works out the catch of each species per fishing trip, making it easier to assess the situation.
In the next few years a Management Plan for Fish and Fisheries (MPFF) will be completed by the Prespa National Park Management Body, and a corresponding data collection method will probably be determined. With this diary we’d like to introduce this subject; the aim being to familiarise fishermen and fishery organisations with data collection and processing as tools to help quantify fish catches for the better management of the lakes.
So, on the right hand page of each week is a list of the data which are needed; if those who fish in the Prespa Lakes could record this information whenever possible, we would be able to evaluate the data. In the pages for June we have filled in a simple example for a professional fishery. If you are interested in filling in data, processing it, and contributing to the development of the MPFF then you can contact the Society for the Protection of Prespa for further information.
Statistics and Fisheries
18 MONDAY
19 TUESDAY
20 WEDNESDAY
21 THURSDAY
22 FRIDAY
23 SATURDAY
24 SUNDAY
JUNE2012
Time: The length of time which nets were left in the water.
For equipment such as ‘pezovola’, fill in the number of times
they were thrown.
Length of nets: The type and size of the equipment.
Mesh size: How fine the mesh of the net is,
measured in millimetres.
Species: The species of fish caught on each trip.
Kilos: The number of kilos of each species caught.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
As can be seen in the example, here
is where catch data is filled in:
18:00 – 7:00 (13 hours)
5 times
Net – 50 metres
pezovolo
50 millimetres 100 kilos30 kilos5 kilos
100 kilos10 kilos
CarpPrussian carpPrespa chub
Prespa bleakPrespa roach
Prespa barbel Barbus prespensis
Maximum length: 30cmLevel of threat: Vulnerable
The Prespa barbel is found in the Prespa Lakes, and also in a very few rivers in southern Albania. They are commercially fished, and much sought after for their fine flavour. Unfortunately, in recent years
its population has been in decline. The barbel spawns at the lake edge in sandy and gravelly areas, and its reproduction period runs from April to June.
JULY
2012
The Society for the Protection of Prespa has been researching the barbel population, which has been declining in recent years.
© S
PP A
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/ D. M
arko
poul
os
© S
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Lake Mikri Prespa - Station 3: KraniesPrespa barbel - Barbus Prespensis
Biomass
25 MONDAY
26 TUESDAY
27 WEDNESDAY
28 THURSDAY
29 FRIDAY
30 SATURDAY
1 SUNDAY
JUNE|JULY2012
A traditional local practice involves catching
barbel by hand as the fish approach the edge of the
lake to spawn. This has negative consequences for the
reproduction of the species as the females are taken
away before they manage to spawn.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
2 MONDAY
3 TUESDAY
4 WEDNESDAY
5 THURSDAY
6 FRIDAY
7 SATURDAY
8 SUNDAY
JULY2012
Fishing for barbel by hand is allowed
on only 14 days of the year, the dates
of which are set by the Prespa National
Park Management Body.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
9 MONDAY
10 TUESDAY
11 WEDNESDAY
12 THURSDAY
13 FRIDAY
14 SATURDAY
15 SUNDAY
JULY2012
In 1996 the SPP published the “Barbel Action
Plan,” which proposes a series of management
measures and institutional changes for the
protection of the species.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
16 MONDAY
17 TUESDAY
18 WEDNESDAY
19 THURSDAY
20 FRIDAY
21 SATURDAY
22 SUNDAY
JULY2012
Weirs and dams on rivers prevent the barbel
from travelling upstream to spawn, reducing
their available spawning grounds.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
23 MONDAY
24 TUESDAY
25 WEDNESDAY
26 THURSDAY
27 FRIDAY
28 SATURDAY
29 SUNDAY
JULY2012
The barbel is among the tastiest
of fish, though their eggs are
generally avoided.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa minnow Pelasgus prespensis
Maximum size: 6cmLevel of threat: Endangered
The Prespa minnow lives and reproduces in the lakes, in shallow water with plenty of vegetation, making it a phyto-philous species. It feeds mainly on mosquito larvae, and has an extended egg-laying period. A
UG
UST
2012In the old days the level of the lake was so high
that it reached the very first houses in thelakeside village of Psarades.
© T
. Hat
zopo
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© S
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/ A. B
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30 MONDAY
31 TUESDAY
1 WEDNESDAY
2 THURSDAY
3 FRIDAY
4 SATURDAY
5 SUNDAY
JULY|AUGUST2012
The Prespa minnow is the smallest
endemic fish in the lakes.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
06 MONDAY
07 TUESDAY
08 WEDNESDAY
09 THURSDAY
10 FRIDAY
11 SATURDAY
12 SUNDAY
AUGUST2012
The Prespa minnow, the Prespa spirlin and
the southern spiny loach are the least
known species in our lakes, mainly due to
their small size.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
13 MONDAY
14 TUESDAY
15 WEDNESDAY
16 THURSDAY
17 FRIDAY
18 SATURDAY
19 SUNDAY
AUGUST2012
Fish are a biological indicator
of water quality.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
20 MONDAY
21 TUESDAY
22 WEDNESDAY
23 THURSDAY
24 FRIDAY
25 SATURDAY
26 SUNDAY
AUGUST2012
The Prespa minnow is threatened by the
introduction of non-native species such as
the stone moroko.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa spirlinAlburnoides prespensis
Maximum size: 13cmLevel of threat: Vulnerable
The Prespa spirlin lives in the shallow waters at the edge of the lakes, and reproduces in May and June. It is litho-philous, which means that it spawns on gravelly and stony substrates.
© S
PP A
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IVE
/ G. P
apad
imitr
iou
SEPT
EMBE
R201
2
A good fish catch is the greatestreward for a fisherman’s efforts.
© S
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/ A. B
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27 MONDAY
28 TUESDAY
29 WEDNESDAY
30 THURSDAY
31 FRIDAY
01 SATURDAY
02 SUNDAY
AUGUST|SEPTEMBER2012
The Prespa spirlin is not
a commercially fished species.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
03 MONDAY
04 TUESDAY
05 WEDNESDAY
06 THURSDAY
07 FRIDAY
08 SATURDAY
09 SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER2012
The numbers of Prespa spirlin
in the lakes are falling.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
10 MONDAY
11 TUESDAY
12 WEDNESDAY
13 THURSDAY
14 FRIDAY
15 SATURDAY
16 SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER2012
The stone maroko and pumpkinseed sunfish,
which are non-native species, compete
with the Prespa spirlin as they feed
on the same food.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
17 MONDAY
18 TUESDAY
19 WEDNESDAY
20 THURSDAY
21 FRIDAY
22 SATURDAY
23 SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER2012
One of the goals of the EU Water Directive
(WFD2000/60/EC) is to achieve a good ecological
condition and chemical composition in
all surface waters, and to prevent them
from being degraded.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
24 MONDAY
25 TUESDAY
26 WEDNESDAY
27 THURSDAY
28 FRIDAY
29 SATURDAY
30 SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER2012
Water pollution is probably
the greatest threat to fish species
in the lakes.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa Southernspiny loach Cobitis meridionalis
Maximum length: 11cmLevel of threat: Vulnerable
This species favours areas with vegetation and sandy, or muddy, substrates. It is a phytophilous species, spawning from April to May in shallow
waters with vegetation, and may lay its eggs many times over. It is thought to feed on decomposing organic matter and the benthic organisms at the bottom of the lake.
OCT
OBE
R2012
Pelicans might seem to compete with fishermen for fish; in reality, however, they only eat the small fish which are of no commercial value to fishermen.
© S
PP A
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/ P. S
tath
opou
los
© S
PP A
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/ LIF
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R319
/ A. B
onet
ti
01 MONDAY
02 TUESDAY
03 WEDNESDAY
04 THURSDAY
05 FRIDAY
06 SATURDAY
07 SUNDAY
OCTOBER2012
The southern spiny loach only lives for a year
and grows very quickly, reaching 60mm in only
130 days, when the temperature of the water
is above 10°C between May and October.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
08 MONDAY
09 TUESDAY
10 WEDNESDAY
11 THURSDAY
12 FRIDAY
13 SATURDAY
14 SUNDAY
OCTOBER2012
Excessive pumping of water for irrigation and water
supplies lessens the volume of water in rivers. For
fish populations this cuts off contact with the lake
and reduces the surface area of spawning grounds
for rheophilous species, which breed in the flowing
waters of rivers.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
15 MONDAY
16 TUESDAY
17 WEDNESDAY
18 THURSDAY
19 FRIDAY
20 SATURDAY
21 SUNDAY
OCTOBER2012
The southern spiny loach is not a commercially
fished species, and its population has remained
stable in recent years.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
22 MONDAY
23 TUESDAY
24 WEDNESDAY
25 THURSDAY
26 FRIDAY
27 SATURDAY
28 SUNDAY
OCTOBER2012
The imprudent use of pesticides
contributes to eutrophication
in the lakes.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa chub Squalius prespensis
Maximum length: 44cmLevel of threat: Least concern
The Prespa chub lives in the lakes and the area’s rivers. At different stages of its life cycle it feeds mainly on mosquito larvae and other insects. The largest and oldest individuals also feed on small fish, making
the Prespa chub the only predatory endemic fish species in the lakes. It is a relatively plentiful species whose numbers are not declining, and it is commercially fished.
NO
VEM
BER2
012
Fishing is closely interwoven with life in Prespa.
© S
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/ A. B
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© S
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29 MONDAY
30 TUESDAY
31 WEDNESDAY
01 THURSDAY
02 FRIDAY
03 SATURDAY
04 SUNDAY
OCTOBER|NOVEMBER2012
Although the Prespa chub population is not in decline,
it has been observed that larger individuals are getting
rarer and rarer, a worrying sign for its future numbers.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
05 MONDAY
06 TUESDAY
07 WEDNESDAY
08 THURSDAY
09 FRIDAY
10 SATURDAY
11 SUNDAY
NOVEMBER2012
The larger Prespa chub will eat
pumpkinseed sunfish, causing them
to choke as the sunfish’s barbs can
catch in the chub’s throat.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
12 MONDAY
13 TUESDAY
14 WEDNESDAY
15 THURSDAY
16 FRIDAY
17 SATURDAY
18 SUNDAY
NOVEMBER2012
The Prespa chub is a relatively numerous
species, and it is said to be the best fish
for fish soup.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
19 MONDAY
20 TUESDAY
21 WEDNESDAY
22 THURSDAY
23 FRIDAY
24 SATURDAY
25 SUNDAY
NOVEMBER2012
The Prespa chub may not currently be endangered
but overfishing, re-stocking and degrading
of spawning grounds may negatively affect
populations in the future.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa trout Salmo peristericus
Maximum length: 47.5cmLevel of threat: Endangered
The endemic Prespa trout is local to the Agios Germanos River and the Brajcinska, Kranska and Leva Reka rivers in Prespa in FYROM. With red spots on its body it looks very much like the common trout, but it rarely grows to more than 35cm.
DEC
EMBE
R201
2
The endemic Prespa trout lays its eggs in the river during winter and needs very clean, cold water to survive.
© S
PP A
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/ L. N
ikol
aou
© S
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/ A. B
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26 MONDAY
27 TUESDAY
28 WEDNESDAY
29 THURSDAY
30 FRIDAY
01 SATURDAY
02 SUNDAY
NOVEMBER|DECEMBER2012
The Prespa trout is threatened with
extinction and for this reason fishing for
this species has been prohibited since
July 2009.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
03 MONDAY
04 TUESDAY
05 WEDNESDAY
06 THURSDAY
07 FRIDAY
08 SATURDAY
09 SUNDAY
DECEMBER2012
In 2009 the Society for the Protection of Prespa, in
collaboration with the French institute Tour du Valat
and the non-governmental organisation BIOECO in FYROM,
put together an “Action Plan for the Prespa Trout,”
which described the status of the species and proposed
the measures necessary to conserve trout populations.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
10 MONDAY
11 TUESDAY
12 WEDNESDAY
13 THURSDAY
14 FRIDAY
15 SATURDAY
16 SUNDAY
DECEMBER2012
In the summer, when water is extracted from the
Agios Germanos River for irrigation, the lower sections
of the river dry up and are no longer suitable habitat
for the trout.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
17 MONDAY
18 TUESDAY
19 WEDNESDAY
20 THURSDAY
21 FRIDAY
22 SATURDAY
23 SUNDAY
DECEMBER2012
Riverside forests are very important for the trout,
as they help to keep the water temperatures low,
which is necessary for the survival of the species.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
24 MONDAY
25 TUESDAY
26 WEDNESDAY
27 THURSDAY
28 FRIDAY
29 ATURDAY
30 SUNDAY
DECEMBER2012
Illegal fishing is one of the greatest
threats to the species.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa bleak Alburnus belvica
Maximum length: 19cmLevel of threat: Vulnerable
The Prespa bleak lives in small groups, or shoals, and is mainly found in open water. It feeds mostly on plankton and it reproduces in June, at the edges of the lake in places with very little water movement. It is lithophilous, depositing its
eggs on stony, gravelly or sandy substrates. During the egg-laying period the fish migrate in small groups at night, when there are no waves.
JAN
UA
RY20
13
Prespa is the only place where you can seefishermen using ‘pezovola’ nets to fish.
Illus
trat
ions
: V. H
atzi
rvas
sani
s
© S
PP A
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/ LIF
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/ A. B
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31 MONDAY
01 TUESDAY
02 WEDNESDAY
03 THURSDAY
04 FRIDAY
05 SATURDAY
06 SUNDAY
DECEMBER2012|JANUARY2013
Although it is under pressure from both fish-
eating birds and man, Prespa bleak numbers are
rising in Mikri Prespa Lake, and stable in Megali
Prespa Lake.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
07 MONDAY
08 TUESDAY
09 WEDNESDAY
10 THURSDAY
11 FRIDAY
12 SATURDAY
13 SUNDAY
JANUARY2013
The Prespa bleak is the main food of the
Dalmatian pelican (Pelicanus crispus) as
well as other fish-eating birds in the area.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
14 MONDAY
15 TUESDAY
16 WEDNESDAY
17 THURSDAY
18 FRIDAY
19 SATURDAY
20 SUNDAY
JANUARY2013
Prespa bleak is one of the most important
local fish-catches and a traditional
recipe calls for fresh Prespa bleak to be
grilled over coals, on small sticks like
‘souvlaki’.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
21 MONDAY
22 TUESDAY
23 WEDNESDAY
24 THURSDAY
25 FRIDAY
26 SATURDAY
27 SUNDAY
JANUARY2013
The Prespa bleak is mainly caught in
winter, using the traditional ‘pezovola’
method, in the deeper parts of Great
Prespa Lake off the Roti headland.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Dugout boat
Plava
Traditional boat
Prussian carp Carassius gibelio
The Prussian carp is a non-native species which was introduced from Asia during the 1970s. The species multiplied rapidly and is now common in Prespa, particularly in Mikri Prespa Lake. However, at the same time as Prussian carp numbers were increasing,
a parallel decrease in the common carp population was observed; no one could have imagined that Prussian carp use common carp sperm to reproduce!
FEBR
UA
RY20
13
Prespa’s traditional wooden boats easily float inshallow water and are perfectly designed for theenvironment of the lakes.
Illus
trat
ions
: V. K
avou
ridis
© S
PP A
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/ A. B
onet
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28 MONDAY
29 TUESDAY
30 WEDNESDAY
31 THURSDAY
01 FRIDAY
02 SATURDAY
03 SUNDAY
JANUARY|FEBRUARY2013
The Prussian carp, as a non-native species,
is a threat to the population of the common
carp, because it lives in the same habitat and
has the same feeding habits.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
04 MONDAY
05 TUESDAY
06 WEDNESDAY
07 THURSDAY
08 FRIDAY
09 SATURDAY
10 SUNDAY
FEBRUARY2013
Fish re-stocking can cause irreparable
harm to endemic species and the
environment of the lakes.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
11 MONDAY
12 TUESDAY
13 WEDNESDAY
14 THURSDAY
15 FRIDAY
16 SATURDAY
17 SUNDAY
FEBRUARY2013
In places where it has been introduced the
Prussian carp population is more than 90%
female, as the species uses the sperm of the
common carp to reproduce.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
18 MONDAY
19 TUESDAY
20 WEDNESDAY
21 THURSDAY
22 FRIDAY
23 SATURDAY
24 SUNDAY
FEBRUARY2013
A negative consequence of the introduction of the
Prussian carp is that it may increase the degree
of eutrophication in the lake because it rummages
on the lake-bed in its efforts to find food.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis gibbosus
The pumpkinseed sunfish is a North American species, which was introduced into Prespa relatively recently, during the 1990s, and since then it has steadily increased in numbers. The negative impact of the introduction of the pumpkin- M
ARC
H20
13
The most common method of fishing has always used floating nets, either gill nets or trammel nets.
seed sunfish is mostly related to competition for food, but also to the fact that this predatory species can feed on smaller fish and the eggs of other species.
© Τ
. Hat
zopo
ulos
© S
PP A
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/ LIF
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25 MONDAY
26 TUESDAY
27 WEDNESDAY
28 THURSDAY
01 FRIDAY
02 SATURDAY
03 SUNDAY
FEBRUARY|MARCH2013
Non-native species, such as the Prussian carp and
the pumpkinseed sunfish, came into our lakes
through re-stocking; they are either introduced
deliberately or by mistake at the same time as
common carp re-stocking.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
04 MONDAY
05 TUESDAY
06 WEDNESDAY
07 THURSDAY
08 FRIDAY
09 SATURDAY
10 SUNDAY
MARCH2013
The pumpkinseed sunfish can cause
serious problems for populations of
endemic fish species because it feeds
on their eggs and young.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
11 MONDAY
12 TUESDAY
13 WEDNESDAY
14 THURSDAY
15 FRIDAY
16 SATURDAY
17 SUNDAY
MARCH2013
The problems the pumpkinseed sunfish causes for
endemic fish mean that its growing numbers require
constant monitoring.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
18 MONDAY
19 TUESDAY
20 WEDNESDAY
21 THURSDAY
22 FRIDAY
23 SATURDAY
24 SUNDAY
MARCH2013
The pumpkinseed sunfish gets caught up in
fishermen’s nets, tearing them and injuring
the fishermen’s hands when they attempt to
disentangle the fish.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
25 MONDAY
26 TUESDAY
27 WEDNESDAY
28 THURSDAY
29 FRIDAY
30 SATURDAY
31 SUNDAY
MARCH2013
When a new species is introduced into a lake
through re-stocking it is almost impossible for
all the future repercussions to be foreseen,
as many years may pass before they become
noticeable.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
Prespa nase Chondrostoma prespense
Maximum length: 30cmLevel of threat: Vulnerable
The Prespa nase has a life span of five years and reproduces for the first time during the second year of its life. It spawns early in the year, from the end of April until the end of May. In Mikri Prespa Lake, it deposits its eggs in places with gravelly substrates near the shore, while
in Great Prespa Lake it spawns on sandy lakeshore areas and also in rivers. It feeds on small plant organisms, plants and invertebrates.
ΑPR
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In Prespa, extensive wet meadows providesuitable breeding habitat, with ideal conditionsfor the reproduction of rare fish and bird species.
© S
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APRIL2013
01 MONDAY
02 TUESDAY
03 WEDNESDAY
04 THURSDAY
05 FRIDAY
06 SATURDAY
07 SUNDAYThe Prespa nase is commercially
fished, although it is not an
abundant species.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
APRIL2013
08 MONDAY
09 TUESDAY
10 WEDNESDAY
11 THURSDAY
12 FRIDAY
13 SATURDAY
14 SUNDAY In the rest of Europe, fish related
to the Prespa nase live in the well-
oxygenated waters of rivers, but in
Prespa the endemic nase lives in the
lakes.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
APRIL2013
15 MONDAY
16 TUESDAY
17 WEDNESDAY
18 THURSDAY
19 FRIDAY
20 SATURDAY
21 SUNDAYThe spawning period of the Prespa
nase is quite short, lasting only
2-3 weeks.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
APRIL2013
22 MONDAY
23 TUESDAY
24 WEDNESDAY
25 THURSDAY
26 FRIDAY
27 SATURDAY
28 SUNDAYThe Prespa nase population
is declining slightly in Megali
Prespa Lake.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
29 MONDAY
30 TUESDAY
APRIL2013
For the protection of fish and the viability
of fisheries it is necessary to put together
a Fisheries Action Plan.
Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies
The weekly catch
notesnotes
notes notes
notes notes
notes
Design & layout
Sakis Georgiadis | GRAPHICSTORE
Fish illustrations
P. Dougalis
This publication was printed
on elemental chlorine free paper,
with neutral PH and
absence of heavy metal,
originating from
sustainable managed forests.
Life+ Information & Communication project (2010-2013):“Fish, Fisheries and European Policy in the Prespa Basin.”
The project is co-funded by the E.U.