Comparing handline and trolling fishing methods in the recreational pelagic fishery in the Gulf of Oman

Morteza Eighani,Seyed Yousef Paighambari,Shannon M Bayse

doi:10.3989/scimar.04864.10a

Abstract

The choice of fishing gear and catching strategy should be taken into consideration in the management of fish stocks. Here, paired fishing trials in a pelagic recreational fishery compared the catch composition, catch rate and size selectivity between handline and trolling fishing methods in Iranian coastal waters of the Gulf of Oman. Total catch rate was 1.06 fish hr–1 vs 0.88 fish hr–1 for handline and trolling, respectively, a 17% difference which was significant (p < 0.05). Generally, the handline method captured more fish than trolling for most species, but size selectivity tended to be species-specific per gear type. The handline fishing method captured larger talang queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus), while trolling captured larger narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), pickhandle barracuda (Sphyraena jello) and Indian threadfish (Alectis indicus). Technical measures, such as gear restrictions, could be applied to recreational pelagic fisheries management in the Gulf of Oman. Such measures could improve species-specific exploitation patterns.

Highlights

Fishing has been a major source of food for centuries and an important recreational activity for decades in many countries (Valdimarsson and James 2001, Welcomme 2001)
Awareness of the impact recreational fisheries have on fish populations has increased, and it is recognized that estimating recreational fishing effort and catch is necessary for sustainable fisheries management (McPhee et al 2002, Jones and Pollock 2012)
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel catch-at-length had a quadratic relationship with smaller fish (110 cm) captured more often via trolling, and sizes between these lengths showed no difference between gears (Table 1; Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

Fishing has been a major source of food for centuries and an important recreational activity for decades in many countries (Valdimarsson and James 2001, Welcomme 2001). Small-scale fisheries contribute about half of global fish catches and provide extensive employment to approximately 37 million people, of whom around 90% are in Asia (FAO 2016). Coastal fisheries supply daily food and serve as one of the few sources of income for many coastal populations in the Gulf of Oman region. Some catch is sold, which significantly contributes to the livelihoods of these small-scale commercial fishers. Many people who rely on fisheries are in a lower income group and their livelihoods depend directly on the sustainability of the fishing industry. Awareness of the impact recreational fisheries have on fish populations has increased, and it is recognized that estimating recreational fishing effort and catch is necessary for sustainable fisheries management (McPhee et al 2002, Jones and Pollock 2012)

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Discussion

Conclusion