fish and fisheries in prespa

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MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER ΟCTOBER ΝΟVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY ΜΑRCH ΑPRIL CLOSED SEASON CLOSED SEASON Fish Fisheries Prespa & in

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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.

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Page 1: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

ΟCTOBER

ΝΟVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

ΜΑRCH

ΑPRIL

CLOSED SEA

SON

CLOSED SEA

SON

FishFisheriesPrespa

&in

Page 2: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

FishFisheriesPrespa

&in

Page 3: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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Society for the Protectionof Prespa

Page 4: Fish and Fisheries in 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

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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

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Page 5: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

CLOSED SEA

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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.

Page 6: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

Page 7: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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!

Page 8: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

Page 9: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

Page 10: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

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Man and nature co-exist harmoniously

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Page 11: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 12: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 13: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

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Page 14: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 15: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 16: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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Lake Mikri Prespa - Station 3: KraniesPrespa barbel - Barbus Prespensis

Biomass

Page 17: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 18: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 19: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 20: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 21: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 22: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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Page 23: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 24: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 25: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 26: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 27: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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A good fish catch is the greatestreward for a fisherman’s efforts.

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Page 28: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 29: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 30: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 31: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 32: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 33: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

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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.

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Page 34: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 35: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 36: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 37: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 38: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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Fishing is closely interwoven with life in Prespa.

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Page 39: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 40: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 41: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 42: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 43: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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The endemic Prespa trout lays its eggs in the river during winter and needs very clean, cold water to survive.

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Page 44: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 45: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 46: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 47: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 48: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 49: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

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Prespa is the only place where you can seefishermen using ‘pezovola’ nets to fish.

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Page 50: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 51: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 52: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 53: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

Page 54: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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!

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Prespa’s traditional wooden boats easily float inshallow water and are perfectly designed for theenvironment of the lakes.

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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

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Fish re-stocking can cause irreparable

harm to endemic species and the

environment of the lakes.

Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies

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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

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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

Page 59: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Page 65: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

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.

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In Prespa, extensive wet meadows providesuitable breeding habitat, with ideal conditionsfor the reproduction of rare fish and bird species.

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APRIL2013

01 MONDAY

02 TUESDAY

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07 SUNDAYThe Prespa nase is commercially

fished, although it is not an

abundant species.

Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies

The weekly catch

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APRIL2013

08 MONDAY

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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

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APRIL2013

15 MONDAY

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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

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APRIL2013

22 MONDAY

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is declining slightly in Megali

Prespa Lake.

Time Length of nets Mesh size KilosSpecies

The weekly catch

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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

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notesnotes

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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.

Page 75: Fish and Fisheries in Prespa

Life+ Information & Communication project (2010-2013):“Fish, Fisheries and European Policy in the Prespa Basin.”

The project is co-funded by the E.U.