Rate and Causes of Lost `Gillnets and Entangling Nets` in The Black Sea Coasts of Turkey

In this study, we determined the numbers of gillnets and entangling nets used throughout the Black Sea coasts of Turkey. In addition the number of nets lost over a one year period and principal causes of loss were also calculated. Field studies were carried out at 158 fishing ports in 15 provinces between February 2015 and December 2016. All nets from 3372 fishing boats were counted to determine the total number of gillnets and entangling nets. In order to determine numbers of lost nets, we conducted personal interviews with the skippers of 315 randomly selected fishing boats. Gillnets and entangling nets in the region were divided into 5 categories (Turbot, Whiting, Bonito, Red mullet and Other sp. net) according to target species. Calculations revealed the total number of net panels as 107331 panels. The total number of Turbot, Whiting, Bonito, Red mullet nets and Other sp. net panels were found to be 47144 (43.92%), 22919 (21.35%), 17366 (16.18%), 10461 (9.75%) and 9441 (8.80%) respectively. The average amounts of nets lost per fishing boat were estimated as 2.22±0.74, 1.54±0.47, 0.83±0.43, 1.57±0.57 and 1.56±0.11 panels respectively. The total amount of panels lost throughout the Black Sea was determined as 1626.83 (1.52%) panels/year.