Aquaculture

Sand Smelt Welfare in Mediterranean Small-Scale Fisheries

Sand smelt are small pelagic fish important in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems and small-scale fisheries, with welfare considerations relevant to their capture and handling.

Key Facts

Sand smelt school in shallow coastal and lagoon habitats around the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts
They are caught by cast nets, seine nets and small trawls in artisanal fisheries
The species is an important prey species for larger fish, birds and marine mammals
Capture and air exposure cause acute physiological stress in this sensitive species

Welfare Considerations

Sand smelt suffer acute welfare impacts from crowding in nets, air exposure during sorting, and slow death by asphyxiation. As small, highly active fish they are particularly sensitive to handling stress and oxygen depletion. Rapid chilling after capture and minimising air exposure time are the most practical welfare improvements available to small-scale fishers.

What You Can Do

Advocate for welfare guidance for Mediterranean small-scale fishers
Support research into rapid chilling methods suitable for artisanal fishing operations
Encourage fisheries certification schemes to include small-scale fisheries welfare guidance
Reduce food waste from fish landings to ensure welfare costs of capture are not wasted