Gillnet Selectivity for Bluefish (Pomatamus saltatrix, L. 1766) in Canakkale Strait, Turkey

To determine the selectivity of gill nets with 22, 23, 25 and 28 mm nominal mesh size (bar length) for bluefish (Pomatamus saltatrix, L. 1766), the study was conducted at three different stations between 20 and 30 m water depths at Canakkale Strait, Turkey, between February 2007 and April 2012. Gill net with 22, 23, 25 and 28 mm mesh size (bar length) each having same twine thickness (210 denier / 3) and 100 mesh depth vertically were rigged for this purpose. The fish samples were obtained by drive-in fishery method during winter season. The SELECT method was used in determining selectivity parameters. By comparing the deviances of five different models of SELECT method, lognormal model gave the best fit. The modal lengths of the gill nets with 22, 23, 25, and 28 mm mesh size were estimated 22.24, 23.25, 25.27 and 28.30 cm, respectively. The results of the trials indicated that minimum gill net mesh size for this fish should use larger than 25 mm