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Factors influence on the catch efficiency of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gears (ALDFG): a case from Turkish inland fisheries
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Researchers investigated ghost fishing by abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in Turkish inland waters, finding that crustaceans comprised 86% of bycatch and that soak time significantly affected fish catch rates. The study confirms that lost gear continues to threaten aquatic ecosystems, with impact varying by species composition, gear type, and net rigging technique.
Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various operational and environmental factors on the ghost fishing efficiency of Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gears ( ALDFGs). A generalized linear mixed model ( GLMM ) was employed to estimate the influence of selected operational and environmental variables on ALDFG catch rates. In the experimental ALDFGs , crustaceans represented the majority (86%) of caught by weight. In terms of catch quantity, no significant difference was found between monofilament and multifilament nets, or between gill nets and trammel nets ( P > 0.05). However, soak time had a statistically significant effect on fish catch rates. For crustaceans, fyke nets yielded significantly fewer individuals compared to set nets. When considering the total catch, no significant difference was observed between gill nets and trammel nets or between mono and multifilament nets. However, fyke nets again produced significantly lower catch rates than the other gear types. These findings indicate that ALDFGs continue to pose a substantial threat to aquatic ecosystems, with the level of impact varying depending on species composition, gear type, and net rigging technique, despite their diminishing effectiveness over time.
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