The functional footprint of Small-Scale Fisheries on Mediterranean coralligenous reefs: selective removal of seascape ecosystem engineers

This dataset contains data collected to investigate the functional effects of trammel nets on Mediterranean coralligenous habitats. Data were obtained through the analysis of benthic bycatch (abundance) from fishing operations and through ROV underwater surveys aimed at characterizing the standing benthic community (presence/absence of conspicous species/taxa). Sampling was conducted in spring-summer 2023 within the Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Italy.