Mortality of Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus Linnaeus, 1758) escaping from demersal trawl codends: Water temperature effect

In total, 24 replicate hauls were conducted on January-February in 2011 and September in 2012. A tailored bottom trawl with 800 meshes around the mouth was used with covers to retain individuals of common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus). Mortality of fish escaping through 40 mm square, 44 and 50 mm diamond mesh codends was investigated by collecting and monitoring the escapees from the codend covers for 7 days. We also observed possible water temperature effect in the escape mortality of common pandora. The escape mortality of common pandora was negligible (<5%). No significant difference was demonstrated in the average mortality for all test codends and controls between the winter and the summer (p>0.05). Mesh size and shape was not a significant factor (p>0.01) for the both seasons.