Efficiency of fishing gear used for king fish fishery with the emphasize on gill nets in Oman Sea- coastal waters of Sistan and Baluchestn Province

Abstract

Efficiency of various meshes of gillnets and trolling gear was investigated for catching kingfish (Scomberomorus commerson) in coastal waters of Sistan and Baluchestan province in 2007. In gillnets with mesh sizes between 57 to 110 mm and netting of monofilamnet and multifilament, the size distribution of kingfish ranged between 40 to 78 cm of fork length, which all specimen caught were immature. In mesh size of 146 mm and 171 mm, the length range of the species was larger, in which the frequency of immature fish for the respective mesh sizes was 19 and 11. In general, most fish was captured by wedging in the all mesh sizes. The size range of kingfish captured by the trolling was between 52 and 147 cm, of which more than 50 percent of caught fish were immature. The proportion of kingfish catches in the gillnets of 57-110 mm mesh sizes is about 13% of the total catch composition, for which the mesh sizes are considered as the dominant gillnets for capturing the species in this area. The conribution of kingfish catches in 133, 146, and 171 mm mesh sizes was 1.1, 52.3 and 18.9% respectively, with a 146-mm mesh size is considered as a dominant gillnet for this species. The implementation of the ban on the use of 57 to 110 mm mesh sizes for exploitation of kingfish is mandatory, which the mesh size of 146 mm and above seems to be appropriate for responsible fishery of the species. However, recommendation of standard mesh size needs to be re-examined in field trials.