GES4SEAS was represented at the 19th Hellenic Conference of Ichthyologists, where researchers, policymakers and stakeholders — including members of the fishing sector — gathered to discuss current challenges and innovations in fisheries management and marine conservation across Greece.

Dr. Irini Tsikopoulou (HCMR) presented new results from GES4SEAS-funded research (Tsikopoulou et al. 2025) exploring how different management scenarios for bottom trawling affect benthic community functioning. Using benthic field data combined with the Bfiat model, the study simulated a range of trawling intensities and habitat types. The results showed that deeper habitats recover more slowly from trawling disturbance, even when initial depletion is lower, and that recovery patterns strongly depend on benthic species’ life-strategy traits, not only on fishing intensity.

These findings highlight the importance of integrating ecosystem-functioning indicators into fisheries management, particularly when designing spatial and effort-based measures.

By supporting this work, GES4SEAS continues to deliver tools, knowledge and modelling approaches that reinforce ecosystem-based management at both local and regional scales, helping decision-makers and stakeholders adopt more sustainable fishing practices while safeguarding key ecosystem functions and services.

Citation: Irini Tsikopoulou, Karline Soetaert, Marija Sciberras, Nadia Papadopoulou, Chris Smith, (2025) Assessing bottom trawling impacts on ecosystem functioning using the Bfiat model: Management scenarios simulations. 19th Panhellenic Conference of Ichthyologists, pp. 211-214, Ioannina, Greece