Comparison of the size selectivity of diamond (PA) and square (PE) mesh codends for deepwater crustacean species in the Antalya Bay, eastern Mediterranean

The aim of this study was to compare selectivity results of currently used 44 mm nominal polyamide (PA) diamond mesh- and alternatively suggested 40 mm nominal polyethylene (PE) square mesh- codends in the deepwater crustacean trawl fishery in the Antalya Bay, eastern Mediterranean. Selectivity experiments were carried out during targeted trawling of four commonly harvested crustacean species: giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea , 'blue and red' shrimp Aristeus antennatus , rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris , and pandalid shrimp Plesionika martia . A conventional bottom trawl of 600 meshes around the fishing circle was operated onboard a commercial stern trawler between 6 and 18 June 2007. Depth of the fishing area varied between 441 and 630 m. Data were collected using the covered codend technique, and analyzed using a logistic equation with maximum likelihood for individual and pooled hauls. The commercially used trawl codend was unable to release immature crustaceans. Selectivity parameters of the three species of crustaceans were distinctly lower when collected with the polyamide diamond mesh than with the polyethylene square mesh, except in the case of giant red shrimp for which values were similar. However, the present and previous results show that in square mesh codends, mesh sizes must be more than 40 mm in order to keep catches clear of specimens below minimum landing sizes or 50% sexual maturity sizes of crustaceans in the Mediterranean. This study suggests that regulating mesh size by requiring square mesh openings during deep water crustacean trawling of the eastern Mediterranean is essential for the release of immature individuals.