A preliminary study on longlining of swordfish (Xiphias gladius L., 1758) in Fethiye Region (Mediterranean)

Abstract

Seven surveys were carried out between 1 April - 15 June / 1 September - 30 October 2001 in the Fethiye Region by using commercial longline vessels. Preliminary results concerning the longlining of swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) include the size of fleet, equipments, fishing areas, longline characteristics, total catch, fishing effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE). In this study, 60 specimens ranging from 62 to 252 cm lower jaw fork length and 3.8 to 168.3 kg weight, respectively were examined. There are 14 longlining vessels, ranged 8.5 - 14.5 m length, 11 - 135 HP engine powers, and having longlines with 400 - 750 hooks in Fethiye fishing port. The CPUE was found to vary between 15.6 and 27.8 kg per 1000 hooks a day.