Sole (Solea spp.) trammel nets and their problems used in Mersin Bay (northeastern Mediterranean)

Abstract

In this study, which was carried out between May 2006 and February 2007, technical characteristics of trammel nets used in sole (Solea spp.) fishing in Mersin Bay, the length of fishing boats and their numerical distributions and fishing problems were investigated. The hanging ratio of the solea trammel nets used in this area was 50 %, the sizes of inner-smaller mesh made of multiflament polyamid were 72-76 mm and the outer larger mesh size was 280 mm. Number of inner-smaller mesh in depth was 40 with a twine no 210d/3 and the number of larger mesh was 5 and with twine of 210d/6. For each trammel net with 100 m length, the number of gangs vary between 24 and 100. At the end of the fishing, due to by catch species of crabs (P. pelagicus, C. sapidus, Carcinus spp.), mantis shrimp (Squilla spp.), purple dry murex (Murex spp.) and also dolphins (Delphinus delphis), rays (Raja spp.), guitarfishes (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) and sharks (Mustelus mustelus), the net is significantly harmed, and accordingly the economical life of a net may decrease to 3-6 months.