Swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) Fishery in Turkish Aegean Sea

The results of investigations on swordfish fishery in Turkish Aegean Sea are presented. A total of 65 boats (6-14 m in length and 11.5-135 hp in engine power) were participated to this fishery from two main fishing ports, Sivrice and Fethiye, and Datca- Bozburun Peninsula. This fishery is also carried out off Antalya Bay. Total annual swordfish catch was 425 t in 2005. The fishing period for swordfish normally takes place 8 months. However, the main activity is concentrated in Spring and Summer seasons at moonless nights, because of closed season (between Oct, 1 and Jan. 31) and bad meteorological conditions. Although, there are various fishing gears and techniques for swordfish, two main fishing gears are used in the Aegean Sea: longline and drift-net. About 10 non-target species, bluefin tuna, Atlantic black skipjack, albacore, mediterranean spearfish, bullet tuna, dolphinfish, manta ray, sunfish, sharks and dolphins were determined from both longlining and drift-