Review of Driftnet Fisheries in Bulgarian Marine and Inland Waters

Abstract

Driftnets in the Bulgarian marine zone and inland waters are discussed in the present case report. Consultations and questionnaires with relevant bodies, fishery responsible authorities, and research institutes took place during 2013. The first driftnet fishery identified is the Bulgarian fishery for Atlantic bonito (Sardasarda). There are a total of 135 vessels, the majority of which are less than12m in length, using drifting gillnets and are operating for around 25% of the year (around 90 days). Vessels tend to predominantly use driftnets but will also use drifting long lines to fish. As Atlantic bonito is a primary target of the fishery, it is evident that Council Regulation (EC) 1239/98 banning the use of driftnets to target Annex VIII species has not been effective. In addition, about 250 fishing vessels (from the total of 650 vessels) operated in the Danube River in 2012 targeting Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata) using a local driftnet called “Difana”. Most of them are small (5-6 m LOA) open boats powered by the outboard motors (10-20hp). Overall, about 30% of the shad is caught with driftnets and 70% with set gillnets (GNS). In the Bulgarian Danube River, 50% of the shad landed is caught using driftnets. In Bulgaria, 24 other species are also caught in driftnets but in much smaller percentages (i.e. less than 5% of the total catches are caught in driftnets). However, the existence of a fishery taking Atlantic bonito in the Black Sea suggests that control systems and tools in place within Bulgaria are currently not relevant to implementing Regulation (EC) 1239/98 in relation to Annex VIII species. There was also no evidence of derivative gears. There are no data available for detecting the aspects of the fishery that influence the probability of catching unauthorized/protected species.