Assessing the effect of hook style on size selectivity and catch rate of the European eel Anguilla anguilla in Bardawil Lagoon, Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt

F. Mehanna, Sahar; D. Hassanen, Gaber; S. Ahmed, Mohamed; A. Mohamed, Ola

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2021.150836

Assessing the effect of hook style on size selectivity and catch rate of the European eel Anguilla anguilla in Bardawil Lagoon, Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejabf.2021.150836

Abstract

While the landings in coastal waters have not been high in recent years, the European eel is treasured in Egypt for its high sale value (its price averaged 200 LE per kg in 2019-2020). The size selectivity and catch rate of European eel, Anguilla anguilla using small hooks were studied in Bardawil lagoon using two hook styles, J- style and C- style. Catch size, catch rates, and selectivity were monitored during 24 sets in the commercial longline fishery operating in Bardawil lagoon where circle (size 2/0, 3/0 and 4/0) and J-style (size 13) hooks were deployed. The targeted European eel was fished during three months October, November and December during 2019 and 2020. A considerable amount of undersized eel was caught as bycatch by both styles but in more quantities by J-style. Catch rates for European eel were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for circle hooks. This study in Bardawil lagoon longline fisheries indicates that a change in terminal gear from J-style hooks to circle hooks may reduce bycatch mortality. The catch rate (number of ﬁsh per 100 hooks) was signiﬁcantly lower for the J-style hooks. The capture of illegally sized or immature eels was very high in J-style hooks. The estimated Lc (the fish length corresponding to a 50% chance of capture) indicated that the C-style size 3/0 is the best hook design to catch European eels.

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