EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SIZE

Abd Elhady, Ola; Ibrahim, Gaber; Youssif, Saher Fahmey; Salem, Mohmmed

doi:10.21608/sinjas.2021.91888.1040

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SIZE "WEAK HOOK" C- STYLE HOOK IN BARDAWIL LAGOON FISHERS TO REDUCE NON- TARGET SPECIES, NORTH SINAI, EGYPT

Authors

¹ PhD student at the Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Al-Arish

² Fac. Environ. Agric. Sci. - Arish Univ.

³ Professor of fish population dynamics

⁴ Professor of Fisheries Biology and Fish Welfare, Aquaculture and Marine Fisheries, University of Al-Arish

10.21608/sinjas.2021.91888.1040

Abstract

This study is based upon comparative catch data obtained from three fishing sets of different hook sizes carried out in the demersal longlines fishery in Bardawill lagoon. After consultation of fishers, were used three C-style hooks for this study: Nos. hooks size no. 0/3 (with a bend width of 9.9 mm), 0/2 (with a bend width of 7.1 mm) and 0/4 (with a bend width of 11 mm). The demersal longlines used in this study consisted of monofilament mainline 60 mm and 30 mm leaders. The space between leaders was approximately 3 m. Each longline consisted of hooks. To reduce capture of "c" style catch rates a decrease in catch rate with increasing hook size. Mean total length (TL) of eel were significantly different among the three hooks. Eels caught on small hooks no. 0/2 had a significantly smaller mean TL (mean TL 43.9 cm) compared to eel caught on large hooks (No. 0/3 mean TL 61.5 cm). Catch rates of small eel (mean TL 39.1 cm) was highest in December followed by October and November. The highest Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) was achieved when large hooks (No. 0/3) were used compared to small hooks (No. 0/2). fishermen in the demersal longline fishery in Bardawil Lagoon are encouraged to use large hooks (No.0/3). Furthermore, future management measures should introduce minimum landing sizes for European eel to avoid capture of small eel (mean TL 45.1) and thereby reduce fishing mortality preventing stock degradation of these economic valuable species. Eels (mean TL 61.5 cm) to reduce capture of small eels (mean TL 45.1 cm) fishermen in the demersal longline fishery in Bardawil Lagoon are encouraged to use large hooks (No. 0/3) with a band width ≥12.7 mm. thereby reduce fishing mortality preventing stock degradation of these economic valuable species.

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