Investigation of potential and alternative fishing gears used to removal of the invasive lionfish populations
Project no. 22184 · Status: Kapanmış · 2020
Summary
While lionfish invaded the Central American seas (Caribbean, Florida and Gulf of Mexico, Bahama, Belize), Pterois miles, entered the Turkish seas in 2014, is continuing the its spread from east to west and towards northern part of the Aegean Sea rapidly. In Turkish Seas, together with the Pterois volitans species, they localized only in stony, rocky and submerged reef habitats, increasing their pressure on local fish communities. If this spreading affects other habitats, there may be reductions in the landing of many fish species of commercial interest. For this reason, potential and alternative fishing gear that can removal lionfish species from the environment were examined in detail from the literature, in situ observations and activities, and evaluations were made regarding their use. Since lionfish species are caught sporadically in large-scale fishing gears such as bottom trawlers and purse seiners, these fishing gears are out of question for removal of lionfish. In small-scale fishing gears, it has been determined that trammel nets, called thick nets, catch large quantities of lionfish on the shores of Kaş-Göcek, especially in summer, although they do not target lionfish (here by-catch). However, traps are the most suitable removal tool that can be effective in stony-rocky areas where nets cannot be set. Thanks to the purse trap developed in United States of America, only lionfish are targeted and caught. This gear has a very low rate by-catch and discard. Because, unlike other traps, these traps do not use bait, but use devices that attract lionfish. It is predicted that potential thick nets and purse traps among alternative fishing gear may be effective in removal of lionfish populations in Turkish Seas. However, the catch efficiency of both fishing gears should be scientifically investigated and developed through field studies.