Research Information System
İ.Ü. Su ürünleri Dergisi, vol.27, no.2, pp.1-22, 2012 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
In this study, we examined the catch composition and catch rates of commercial and discard species using four different mesh sizes of the demersal gill and trammel nets in the northern Aegean Sea. We used multivariate analysis to examine the effects of mesh size and season on species compositions (both by number and by weight). Fishing trials of gill nets and trammel nets with different mesh-sizes (16, 18, 20 and 22 mm bar length) were carried out between March 2004 and February 2005 at depths less than 30 m. The mesh size of gill nets and trammel nets significantly impacted on the catch efficiency, species composition and dominance. Discarding rate, both in terms of numbers of species and individuals decreased with increased mesh size. We estimated that the use of 18 mm gill nets and trammel nets has a high commercial/total catch ratio and low discard rate in this region and is suitable for sustainable fisheries.