Preliminary evaluation of landings and discards of the Turkish bottom trawl fishery in the northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean)

摘要: Summary: This short-term study on commercial discards was carried out in fishing grounds around Gokceada Island the northeastern Aegean Sea, a geographic area where fisheries information is rather limited. A total of 28 bottom trawls were performed between 70 and 410 m depth from December 2009 to February 2010. All samples collected board trawler under conditions. 3143 kg biomass caught valid hauls. Landings accounted for about 67% catch while remaining 33% discarded. Fish species comprised 85% their composition could be divided into four main groups related depth: shallow shelf (70 88 m), deep (155 180 break (196 276 upper slope (307 m). dominated abundance both landings all bathymetric strata. Echinoderms also large proportion discards. Mean catches varied 78.4 kg/h 38.1 with no differences landing groups, but slightly higher over shelf. Taking account preliminary nature findings, based analysis, minimum mesh size currently applied Turkish trawl fishery are not sufficient reduce protect juveniles commercially important Sea.