engleski

Recent status of coastal ichthyocommunities along the Croatian coast

The qualitative and quantitative analyses of catches were made to estimate state of costal ichthyocommunities in 2006 (together with other sampled invertebrates) along the Croatian coast. Experimental catches of 540 trammel bottom nets with standard construction characteristics (length: 31-36 m ; height: 1.3-1.5 m ; “ maha” mesh size 28 and 32 mm) were analysed. The total of 54 samples were taken seasonally (April, July, September, December) on 7 areas (Pag, Zadar, Šibenik, Vis, Split, Ploče, Dubrovnik). All the data on the catch quantities were expressed per standard net (CPUE) for the comparability of catches. The total of 82 fish, 4 cephalopoda and 18 crustacean species were recorded on the whole area of investigation. The dominant fish species were Scporpaena porcus, Diplodus annularis, Mullus surmuletus, Pagellus erythrinus, Symphodus tinca, Spicara maena, Scorpaena scrofa and Mullus barbatus. They comprised 61.0 % in total number and with 52.5 % in total weight. The cephalopoda were represented by 2.4 % in total number and 7.8 % in total weight. The dominant species were Sepia officinalis. Commercially important crustacean species were low represented in number and in total weight, except Palinurus elephas at Vis area. Qualitatively and quantitatively, the best catches were recorded in spring. The mean value of CPUE was 0.96 kg, and from 0.78 to 1.3 kg seasonally. These values are significantly greater than those in 80ties. But, it has to be mentioned that populations of commercially interesting fish (S. scrofa) and big Decapoda species (Palinurus elephas, Homarus gammarus) are still not recovered (rare catches of individuals with high biometric characteristics). The reasons of those changes are more efficient fishery regulation and conservation, but evidently, the fishing pressure in Croatian coastal area is still great.

status; coastal communities; Croatian coast

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