Interaction between Monk Seals, Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779), and artisanal fisheries in the Foca Pilot Monk Seal conservation area, Turkey

The present study examines some aspects of the interaction between critically endangered Monk Seals Monachus monachus and artisanal fisheries in the Foc¿a Pilot Monk Seal Conservation Area, Turkey, between 1994 and 2002. One to four permanent researchers collected the data on this interaction during seal sighting data enquiries. Interviews with the fishermen provided a total of 448 seal sighting records, of which 142 were collected around the fishing gear. Loligo vulgaris taken from a lure and Conger conger were reported by fishermen for the first time as Monk Seal prey. Of the 142 encounters by Monk Seals with the fishing gear, 6 were of animals entangled by the floating rope of the nets. The establishment of permanent or temporary nofishing zones (in view of the 4-month lactation period) to prevent the entanglement of suckling pups in breeding sites is proposed as an appropriate management practic

Damage by monk seals to gear of the artisanal fishery in the Foca Monk Seal Pilot Conservation Area, Turkey

The present study examines the operational interaction between critically endangered monk seals Monachus monachus and artisanal fisheries in the Foc¿a Pilot Monk Seal Conservation Area, Turkey between 1994 and 2002. One to four permanent researchers collected the data on this interaction during the seal sighting data inquiries. Interviews with the fishermen provided 142 direct interactions with monk seals around the fishing gear. Among these encounters damage to fishing gear, including gill nets (53%), trammel nets (37%), longlines (9%) and a lure (1%) was recorded 90 times. However, no difference was found in damage between gill and trammel nets. Although, the damage inflicted by seals per occasion was found to be substantial (maximum 462.5 USD per occasion), the overall annual economic impact on the artisanal fishery was found to be modest. Limitation in soaking time of nets; long-line use instead of nets in MPAs where monk seals survive; and low interest credits to be given to those fishermen who suffer monk seal damage, are proposed as appropriate management practices

Cetacean strandings along the coast of Izmir Bay, Turkey

The present paper provides information on the stranding of cetaceans in Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea, between 1992 and 2004. The data were collected opportunistically during sightings and stranding data collection for Monk Seals. A total of 12 cetaceans, namely Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (n=6), Common Dolphin, Delphinus delphis (n=3), - reported for the first time - and Striped Dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, (n=3) were found to be stranded

A Better Understanding of Fishery Cooperatives in the Aegean, Turkey

This study assesses the current status of fishery cooperatives located on the Turkish Aegean Sea coasts and focuses on their characteristics, activities and problems. For this, 93.4% (n = 57) fishery cooperatives’ managers were interviewed. These fishery cooperatives were categorised into two groups according to their locations-Izmir metropolis where the Central Fish Market is located and the rest of the cities and non parametric statistical tools were employed to analyze the data collected. The results indicated that there are significant differences between the two groups when considering providing inputs, number of cooperative members, number of vessel owners, number of fishery depended members, attendance to general assembly, fulfilment of cooperative’s objectives, membership fee payment and lack of interest. These results may be of any help to the decision makers and managers to be more aware of the cooperatives problems and to design region-based strategies for better management of fishery cooperatives for the area under investigation and similar places elsewhere

Stomach contents of two Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) from the Aegean Sea, Turkey

WOS: 000171408300030This study provides a description of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) diet from the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey. A total of 23 prey items belonging to five species were identified from the two stomachs examined. Cephalopods constitute the dominant prey group by weight (94.01%). Sarcotragus sp. (Porifera) and Posidonia oceanica (Magnoliophyta) are assumed to be incidental prey. Of the cephalopods identified, Eledone moschata and Bathypolypus sponsalis were encountered for the first time in a monk seal stomach

A comparative study of success and failure of fishery cooperatives in the Aegean, Turkey

WOS: 000268054800006P>This study assessed the performance of fishery cooperatives in six selected fishing areas along the central and southern Aegean coasts of Turkey during the 2002-2003 fishing season, in particular with regard to their stated objectives (e.g. member-fisher satisfaction recognition by fishery management authorities). A total of 127 member-fishers (72% of all active fishers in the study area) as well as fishery cooperative directors were interviewed. The results indicated the various strengths of these cooperatives as well as their limitations. Performance below full potential was due to internal factors such as lack of solidarity and qualified business management skills, as well as external factors relating to weak legislative support by the government, the tax system and the lack of training. However, through their contribution to local society and their function in assisting management bodies, cooperatives play a significant role in Turkish small-scale fisheries. They are therefore in need of further capacity building through specific encouragement from the government, academics, and fishers in order to improve their performance

Management paradox of groupers (Epinephelinae) fishing in the Gökova Bay (Eastern Mediterranean), Turkey

The present study attempts to find out the paradox in management of grouper fishing in southern Aegean Sea, Turkey. The study also proposes some suggestions for a more rational and more effective management of this species. Material of the study is composed of records of fishing cooperatives in the area, interview with the cooperative managers, annual grouper length values and catch-effort data. Throughout the season, 2411 fishing operations have been carried, 383 of which have been focused on especially groupers. The total catch has been recorded as 1448 kg, with a CPUE value of 3.78 kg per vessel. The study also reveals that the ratio of groupers caught below legally allowed length is 13.3%, however, considering outputs of the studies made on the biology of the species, it has also been observed that 85% of the sampled groupers in Gökova bay are prematurely caught before they reach the sexual maturity required for guaranteed sustainability, and thus the species is endangered. Hence, it is very essential to determine the reproductive cycle of groupers, which are the most important species in the fishery of Gökova Bay. However, species selectivity is impossible with the currently used gears. Therefore it would be more rational and effective to determine the reproduction areas of the related species and declare these areas "No Take Zones" which is going to affect postively not only the species but also whole ecoystem they live in