The dominance of non-indigenous species in the catch composition of small-scale fisheries: A case study from the Kaş–Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area, Türkiye, Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the catch composition and compare the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of indigenous and non-indigenous species in longline and trammel net fisheries in the Mediterranean coasts of Türkiye. The data were collected weekly from May 2020 to September 2021 by commercial fishing vessels (n = 62 days for trammel nets, n = 75 days for longlines). The results of the study indicated that more than 90% of the catch composition consisted of non-indigenous species in trammel net fishery and Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), Siganus rivulatus Forsskål et Niebuhr, 1775, Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829), and Scarus ghobban Forsskål, 1775 were the most commonly caught species. Although indigenous species were more common in longlines compared with trammel nets, non-indigenous species Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) and Lagocephalus suezensis Clark et Gohar, 1953 were represented by relatively high catch ratios. The results also revealed that the CPUE of non-indigenous species exhibited seasonal differences. Although some non-indigenous species caught within this study have a market value, some other highly invasive species do not. Therefore, it is critically important to develop effective management tools to control bio-invasion. This study provides the first comprehensive research by utilizing basic data with relatively long-term surveys in the small-scale fishery on the Mediterranean coasts of Türkiye. The outcomes of this study can provide guidance to decision-makers.