Gill net selectivity for four fish species (Mullus barbatus, Pagellus erythrinus, Pagellus acarne and Spicara flexuosa) in Greek waters

Published source details Petrakis G. & Stergiou K.I. (1996) Gill net selectivity for four fish species (Mullus barbatus, Pagellus erythrinus, Pagellus acarne and Spicara flexuosa) in Greek waters. Fisheries Research, 27, 17-27.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use a larger mesh size Action Link

Use a larger mesh size

A replicated study in 1992–1993 of an area in the Aegean Sea, Greece (Petrakis & Stergiou 1996, same experimental set-up as Petrakis & Stergiou 1995) found that increasing the mesh size of a gillnet improved the size-selectivity of unwanted red mullet Mullus barbatus, common pandora Pagellus erythrinus, axillary seabream Pagellus acarne and picarel Spicara flexuosa compared to smaller mesh sizes. For all species, the average length of fish caught was greater for the largest mesh size of 23 mm: for mullet (179 mm), pandora (144 mm), seabream (149 mm) and picarel (176 mm), than a 21 mm mesh (mullet: 164, pandora: 132, seabream: 136, picarel: 161 mm), a 19 mm mesh (mullet: 148, pandora: 119, seabream: 123, picarel: 146 mm) and a 17 mm mesh (mullet: 133, pandora: 107, seabream: 110, picarel: 130 mm). In addition, total fish catch typically decreased with increasing mesh size (23 mm: 782, 21 mm: 820, 19 mm: 3,439, 17 mm: 326 fish/1000 fathoms). Fishing trials took place at 15 sites in the South Euboikos Gulf between August 1992 and April 1993. Nets were set two hours before sunrise and hauled two hours after sunrise at depths from 18–60 m. Gillnets with mesh sizes of 23 mm, 21 mm, 19 mm or 17 mm were switched monthly. Weight and length of captured fish were recorded.

(Summarised by: Chris Barrett/Natasha Taylor)