A preliminary study on shrimp trap fishing potential in gulf of Antalya

Deep-sea shrimps, which represent valuable fishery resources with significant economic importance, are predominantly caught with bottom trawls. In this thesis, 'Semi-Floating Shrimp Traps' are evaluated for the first time as an alternative fishing tool for shrimp fisheries in Turkey. The research was conducted between Kemer Koca Burun (36°35'42''N - 30°35'16''E) and Selimiye Lighthouse (36°45.928'N - 31°23.092'E) in the Gulf of Antalya aboard the R/V Akdeniz Su. A total of 22 fishing operations were conducted between May and November 2023, at depths ranging from 45 to 550 meters. The species Plesionika edwardsii and Plesionika narval were identified as the primary species captured in the semi-floating shrimp traps. While Parapenaeus longirostris and Plesionika heterocarpus were also captured, these species were not considered primary targets. Species such as Aristeus antennatus and Aristeomorpha foliacea, known as red shrimp and important deep-sea species in the Gulf of Antalya, were not observed in the traps. The maximum catch per unit effort (CPUE) for shrimp species was calculated at 320 g trap-1 day-1. The bycatch rate in the samples collected was notably low. Furthermore, it was observed that both target and non-target species caught in the traps were alive when retrieved at the end of the fishing operation. This thesis, conducted with limited resources, provides valuable insights into shrimp trap fishing, a method not commercially practiced in our country. It is considered that semi-floating shrimp traps have the potential to be adopted by small-scale fishermen in the Gulf of Antalya and may play a role in promoting sustainable fisheries through an ecosystem-based approach. However, to increase the effectiveness of this fishing method, it is crucial to supplement and refine the preliminary data obtained in this study through more extensive research.