On the feasibility of a directed trap-fishery for panga Pterogymnus laniarius (Sparidae) in South Africa

Published source details Gray M., Hecht T. & Sauer W. (2007) On the feasibility of a directed trap-fishery for panga Pterogymnus laniarius (Sparidae) in South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science, 29, 465-472.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Modify fishing trap/pot configuration Action Link

Modify fishing trap/pot configuration

A replicated study in 2002–2004 in an area of seabed in St Francis Bay in the Indian Ocean, off South Africa (Gray et al. 2007) found that modifying fish traps by increasing the mesh size of the escape panel had no effect on the size-selectivity of commercial target panga Pterogymnus laniarius. The average height of panga in catches was similar between all three relative mesh sizes of the trap escape panels (large: 97 mm, medium: 95 mm, small: 95 mm). In addition, the effect of mesh size on catch species composition, including non-target fish, was not reported, however, it differed with depth and substrate type (see paper for data). Data were collected from 59 trap deployments between September 2002 and July 2004. Three pairs of traps were used during most deployments, each fitted with a different mesh size of escape panel: two large (50 ×100 mm mesh), two medium (50mm × 75mm mesh) and two small (50 × 50 mm mesh). Traps were deployed randomly in depths of 20–99 m and for 2–8 hours. Fish in catches were identified and counted. The sizes of panga, including body height, were recorded.

(Summarised by: Chris Barrett)