Determination of bycatch and discard catch rates on trawl fishing in Antalya Bay

Mediterranean fisheries which have an important place in the work carried out in the Bay of Antalya, between 200-700 m sampling results trawl studies performed at different depths incidental catch and discard rates were investigated. A total of 75 species were identified and 26 trawls were taken for an average of 60-75 minutes. During the study, data on the weight and number distribution, species composition and abundance of the discarded and random catch species were collected and their distribution in the total catch was examined. A total of 48 bony fish, 11 cartilaginous fish and 16 invertebrate species were obtained. In the eight-month commercial fishing sampling period, the total catch amount was 1866.78 kg. As a result of 26 trawling operations, the total weight of the target catch was 188.67 kg, the total weight of the incidental catch was 358.62 kg and the total weight of the discard catch was 1319.49 kg. It was determined that 70% of the total catch amount is discarded catch, 19% is incidental catch and 10% is the target catch. During the study, primarily the Chlorophthalmus agassizii in addition to, Argentina sphyraena Centrophorus gronulosus, Scyliorhunus canicula, Hymenocephalus italicus and Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus were identifed as most commonly caught discards.