Short-term impact of bait digging on intertidal macrofauna of tidal mudflats around the Kneiss Islands (Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia)

Abstract : In the Gulf of Gabès (South-eastern Tunisia), polychaete bait digging is widely practiced for recreational and commercial fishing and is an economically significant activity. The present study aims to assess the short-term effects of intertidal bait digging on macrobenthic communities from the Kneiss Islands. Following a protocol with a control station (not impacted) and three impacted stations for polychaete collection, the study was conducted during March and April 2015 at spring tides. After digging, immediate significant decreases were observed in the abundance of total macrofauna as well in numerous families of polychaetes. Control of this activity should be proposed for the future to protect the biodiversity of this intertidal area of high heritage interest.