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Impact of glass eel fishery on by-catch fish species: a quantitative assessment

  • FISH AND DIADROMY IN EUROPE
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Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of the glass eel fishery on by-catch ichthyofauna in the Ebro River delta by investigating the primary responsible factors of discard mortality, in order to assess the adequacy of fishing and sorting procedures, and assess the ecological impact of this traditional activity. Results revealed that glass eel fishery had a negative impact on by-catch ichthyofauna mainly composed of mugilid fry and small-size estuarine species. Data showed that between 10 and 69% of incidental species died as a consequence of glass eel capture and sorting procedures. Differences in by-catch fish mortality rates depended on the glass eel sorting time, the total weight of catch, the discard ratio, by-catch fish size, and by-catch fish species composition. The total weight of the catch and the discard ratio were two of the main parameters affecting discarded fish mortality, since both had a direct effect on the period of time required for glass eel sorting during which by-catch fish were exposed to air and suffered from very aggressive sorting procedures that caused severe external and internal injuries. By-catch fish measuring less than 40 mm L T were more susceptible to glass eel fishery procedures than those larger (>60 mm L T), independent of the species considered or their stage of development. This fishery, similar to other ones, should strive to minimization the amount of discards and the mortality of discarded fish, by improving the selectivity of the fish trap and developing new sorting and selection procedures.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by 2004ACOM-0047 by Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain). E. Gisbert was funded by Programa Ramón y Cajal (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Spain). Authors are grateful to all professional fishermen, especially Angel Sánchez, who collaborated in the study and to the Parc Natural del Delta de l’Ebre (Generalitat de Catalunya) and their staff for coordination tasks with fishermen. We would also like to express our gratitude to Maria Garcia for their excellent technical help during the glass eel fishing season, and Karl Andree, Josep M. Olmo and Luis Cardona for reviewing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unitat de Cultius Experimentals (UCE), Centre d’Aqüicultura, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Aptat. Correus 200, 43540, Sant Carles de la Rapita, Tarragona, Spain

    E. Gisbert

  2. Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Aptat. Correus 200, 43540, Sant Carles de la Rapita, Tarragona, Spain

    M. A. López

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  1. E. Gisbert
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  2. M. A. López
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Correspondence to E. Gisbert.

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E. Gisbert and M. A. López have contributed equally to this study.

Guest editors: S. Dufour, E. Prévost, E. Rochard & P. Williot

Fish and diadromy in Europe (ecology, management, conservation)

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Gisbert, E., López, M.A. Impact of glass eel fishery on by-catch fish species: a quantitative assessment. Hydrobiologia 602, 87–98 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9284-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9284-5

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