Effect of shortening the length of codend on brushtooth lizardfish caught in square mesh codend of otter trawl in Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

This study was done on the use of 40 mm square mesh codend in otter trawl, the minimum measure in Mediterranean deep trout fishing in Eastern Mediterranean in accordance with European Union (EU) regulations. Brushtooth lizardfish Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1848) is an important catch component in this region. The lumen of the square mesh being always open, makes it easy for the fish to escape. However, the fish can sometimes get stuck in the mesh while trying to escape, which can lead to economical loss in commercial fishing. Effect of shortening the length of codend on the rate of entangling of brushtooth lizardfish was assessed. The 8 m long and 40 mm square mesh codend was shortened to a length of 4 m. It was observed that shortening the net had no negative impact on the selectivity of the gear and in both cases there was an equal amount of loss and dissatisfaction for the fishermen due to the damage caused while taking out the fish that got entangled in the codend meshes.