Mesh size improvement of Beach Seine in the Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea and its effects on the target fish catch

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

We measured biometrical properties of kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) and mullet (Mugil cephalus) in Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea along caught with a new Beach Seine mesh size and the results were compared with that of common Beach Seine (control). The results indicated that newly designed Beach seine, catches less nonftbstandard fish than the control. The proportion of non-standard kutum and mullet in the new Beach Seine was 7.7 and 1.1 percent respectively; these results in control were 67.1 and 29.98 percent. The average length and weight of kutum and mullets, caught by newly designed Beach Seine was higher than the control. The Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) in the two types of Beach Seines was approximately the same. The results showed, by promoting this newly Beach Seine, we can largely prevent fishing of non-standard bony fish (immature) in the Caspian Sea coastal waters......