Studies on determining anti-trawl reef criteria for the purpose of preventing illegal trawl fishing

In this thesis, it was examined a "case study" to prevent illegal trawling in Izmir Bay. For this reason, an anti-trawl artificial reef was designed and two artificial reef areas were planned concerning specific design criteria to prevent illegal fisheries. While determining artificial reef areas, geographic features (water depth, wave data etc.), legal fishing activities and main characteristics of fishing boats and gears (engine power, distance between otter boards etc.), manufacturing, transportation and deployment of anti-trawl reefs including stages of the project. In the case study, 6.808 anti-trawl reef units were estimated for two anti-trawl artificial reef areas in the Middle Bay of Izmir. The distance between reef blocks and deployment depth were determined as between 25-200 m and 27-47 m. respectively. The duration of the project was expected as 9 months and the total budget of the project was estimated as 8.046.856 TL (3.350.019 USD). It was aimed to stop illegal fishing activities in that region by using anti-trawl reef blocks and assisted to other stakeholders (Units of Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock, Coast Guard, municipalities and Non-governmental Organizations) for the prevention of illegal fisheries.