Current Status of Harpoon Fishery Around The Gökçeada (Aegean Sea)

The main objectives of this study were to determine the technical features of the harpoon fishing vessels used in the 2015 swordfish fishing season around Gökçeada Island and to estimate of the catch per unit effort (CPUE) with the total catch rate. Technical features of the harpoon fishing vessels were determined by questionnaire with fisherman. Catch data (number of specimens and weight of each fish) were recorded on swordfish fishing season by scientific observers. A total of 20 fishing vessels (8–15 m in length and 75– 450 hp in engine power) were participated to this fishery from Gökçeada main fishing ports. Fishery takes place at a depth range of 100 to 1000 m and especially at three sites around the Gökçeada region. The harpooning data collected during 2015 fishing season from 20 vessels in Gökçeada showed a total of 463 specimens captured in 25 days. The average CPUE was calculated as 0.88 in number of fish per boat per day. Total swordfish catch was 11 731.83 kg and total income was 400 162.87 TL.