|
Assessment of Illegal Fishing of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) in the Southeastern Caspian Sea Waters, Golestan Province
|
Behzad Eryri   , Hadi Raeisi * , Mohammad Harsij , Rahman Patimar , Mohammad Gholizadeh , Sevin Jentoft |
|
|
|
Abstract: (5 Views) |
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a major threat to aquatic resources, particularly in the southern Caspian Sea. This study investigates the illegal gillnet fishing of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) in the southeastern Caspian Sea region of Golestan Province during 2022 and 2023. A total of 12 illegal fishing boats were surveyed to record gear characteristics, catch composition, and catch per unit effort (CPUE). Interviews with 150 fishers estimated an average of 120 fishing days per boat annually. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the number of illegal boats was estimated to range between 900 and 1200. The average CPUE for common carp was estimated at 7.16 ± 1.43 kg/boat/day in 2022 and 8.75 ± 1.35 kg/boat/day in 2023. The estimated biomass of illegal catches ranged between 407–790 tons (2022) and 424–806 tons (2023). The highest fork length of carp was observed in spring (48.16 ± 2.25 cm), and significant differences in length distributions were found across seasons and gear types. Common carp accounted for the highest numerical and biomass percentages among captured species. The findings suggest that illegal catches of common carp were 7 to 10 times higher than legal catches, highlighting the urgent need for integrated and participatory management strategies to regulate and reduce IUU fishing in the region.
|
|
| Keywords: Cyprinus carpio, illegal fishing, Caspian Sea, gillnet, CPUE, Monte Carlo simulation |
|
|
|
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/27 | Accepted: 2025/06/21 | Published: 2025/12/8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
