Qarun Lake fisheries; Fishing gears, Species composition and Catch per unit effort

El-Serafy, Sabry; El-Haweet, Alaa; El-Ganiny, Azza; El-Far, Alaa

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2014.2204

Qarun Lake fisheries; Fishing gears, Species composition and Catch per unit effort

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Faculty of Science, Benha University

² College of Fisheries Technology and Aquaculture, Arab Academy for Science & Technology and Maritime Transport

³ Fisheries Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

10.21608/ejabf.2014.2204

Abstract

Qarun Lake is a closed salty basin located about 90km southern Cairo Egypt,
cover an area of 230km2 with annual production of about 3000 tonnes. The present
study assessed the lake fishery for better management purpose. Data, information and
samples were collected through 42 field trips and 311 fishermen interviews during
fishing season (2010-2011). The lake was divided into three sub-areas, east, middle
and west. It was found that the fishing gears used in the lake were; 1-Trammel nets
with four types differed in their dimensions, mesh sizes and mainly targeting Mugil
cephalus, Tilapia zillii, Solea spp. and Liza spp. 2- Seine nets with three types that
were targeting M. cephalus, anchovy and shrimp. 3- Others fishing methods (Fishing
aggregation system, traps and hooks) targeting mainly T. zillii. For each gear and
methods used, the species composition (target and by-catch) and catch per unit effort
were estimated according to sub-area and season. It is realized that middle area was
more productive with higher species diversity. The present study recommends
prohibiting traps in spring and all seine nets except Gahzl Zardina during summer in
west and improving the fish catch and effort statistics for sustainable management of
this valuable resource.

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