Sicilian dolphinfish (&lt;i&gt;Coryphaena hippurus&lt;/i&gt;) fishery

A Potoschi,M Scalisi,L Cannizzaro,A Milazzo,G Bono

doi:10.3989/scimar.1999.63n3-4439

Abstract

In 1996, a census was taken of the Sicilian fisheries that engage in dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus L. 1758) fishing. Two different surveys were conducted; data on fishing boats were obtained from the Naval Registers and frominterviewing boat owners on the wharf. The area sampled was divided into 3 zones and 6 strata. 205 boats were recorded in the eastern zone (Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas), 57 boats located in 4 different strata were recorded in the western zone. Fishing activities in the Ionian area begin in early August and end in December. In all other areas of Sicily, dolphinfish fishing begins in early September and continues until December. A census was also taken of the equipment used by the various boats for this activity in the different areas. The surveys showed that FADs are the most commonly employed method for dolphinfish fishing. The geographical distribution, number and characteristics were recorded for each area surveyed. The catches for the 1996 fishing season distributed for strata and zone are reported.

Highlights

At the end of summer and during the autumn (August-December), along the eastern and western coasts of Sicily, dolphinfish juveniles are caught by a large number of vessels using surrounding-nets to capture fish under the Fish Attracting Devices (FADs) typical of the Mediterranean
All captains of the boats were interviewed for information on the structural features of the boats, nets and FADs; in addition, information was obtained on the number and the geographical position of all the FADs placed in 1996
In recent years there has been an increase in the boats with a consequent expansion in the areas for positioning the “FADs”, which from the southern Ionian sea has extended to the northern part, the southern Tyrrhenian and west Sicily

Summary

Introduction

At the end of summer and during the autumn (August-December), along the eastern and western coasts of Sicily, dolphinfish juveniles are caught by a large number of vessels using surrounding-nets to capture fish under the Fish Attracting Devices (FADs) typical of the Mediterranean. They are called “cannizzi”, or floating drifting objects (Bono et al, 1998; Morales Nin et al, 1995; Potoschi and Sturiale, 1996). In Malta, in Tunisia and in the Balearic islands this activity is practised in the same period and with similar procedures and equipment (Galea, 1961; Lozano Cabo, 1961; Massutí and Morales Nin, 1991; Zaouali, 1997). The aim of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of the fleet, the equipment and the fishing techniques, and to estimate the fishing yields in the 1996 fishing season in Sicily and its islands

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion