The hake deepwater semi-pelagic (“pedra-bola”) longline fishery in the Algarve (southern Portugal)

摘要: Abstract A 2-year study of the European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) semi-pelagic (“pedra-bola”) longline fishery was carried out in Algarve (southern Portugal). This takes place on continental slope at 200–700 m depths, using monofilament longlines that are lifted off bottom regular intervals by glass balls. Hook selectivity trials were with four hook sizes (SIAPAL brand numbers 10, 9, 7 and 5) from March to August 1997 May 1998. At least 32 species fish invertebrates caught, dominating catch (41 45% numbers), followed Galeus melastomus (23 19%), Micromesistius poutassou (10 7%), Benthodesmus elongatus (8 5%), Etmopterus pusillus (6 9%) Scyliorhinus canicula (5 4%). Apart hake, some commercial value such as G. (only large individuals), Ray’s bream Brama brama , 1.4 4%), silver scabbard Lepidopus caudatus 1 2.5%), swordfish Xiphias gladius Polyprion americanus Conger conger Helicolenus dactylopterus