Hook Selectivity for Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix Linneaus, 1766) in Gallipoli Peninsula and Çanakkale Strait (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the selectivity of the hooks used for bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix Linneaus, 1766) in the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Dardanelles between 2006 and 2009 fishing seasons (November to September). Bluefish were fished with hooks sized 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 and in sum; 1210 bluefish were caught. The hook no 2/0 caught the highest number of fish (344 fish, 20.43%) and the hook no 1 caught the least (35 fish, 2.89%). Length frequency distribution of bluefish, which were caught with different hook sizes, was used in SELECT method and according to the results; the normal scale model gave the best fit for selectivity. The normal scale model was used to calculate model length (ML) and spread value (SV) of each hook size. Model length and spread value were found as follows; 19.18 cm ML and 4.44 SV for hook no. 1; 21.88 cm ML, 5.07 SV for hook no 1/0; 24.14 cm ML, 5.59 SV for hook no. 2/0; 27.02 cm ML, 6.26 SV for hook no. 3/0; 28.19 cm ML, 6.53 SV for hook no. 4/0, respectively. Because the minimum landing size (MLS) for bluefish has been stipulated as 20.0 cm (TL) in the Turkish Fishery Regulations, the use of hook no. 2/0 or bigger hook sizes can be recommended for fishing of bluefish.