Elasmobranch Bycatch on Artisanal Trammel Net Fishery in the Canary Islands

Abstract

In this work we studied an artisanal trammel net fishery targeting red stripped mullet Mullus surmuletus. Catches and discards were evaluated on 30 fishings trials using 3 experimental net mesh sizes around 2 fishing grounds at the East coast of Tenerife (Canary Islands). A total of 48 species were identified with M. surmuletus, axillary seabream Pagellus acarne and parrotfish Sparisoma cretense, being the most frequently captured. Catches and discards represented 89.77% and 10.23%, respectively, of total catch weight. Experimental mesh sizes showed a clear decrease in the proportion of abundance catches caught as mesh size increased. Elasmobranchs were represented in high percentages reaching 37.61% of total catch weight. European Union protected angel shark Squatina squatina was also caught during the experimental fishings and represented 51.14% of the elasmobranch total catch weight. Findings of the study are intended to contribute to increasing knowledge about the artisanal fishing and allow suggestions to be made on fishing practices that will reduce future catches of the European Union protected elasmobranchs