engleski

Monitoring of freshwater fish stock in Croatia according to the anglers’ data

Being of a great socio-economic importance, recreational freshwater fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in many countries, Croatia included. As the fishing pressure is constantly increasing, the monitoring of the fish stock is crucial for effective fisheries management. One of the reliable evaluations on the current state of the freshwater fish communities is based on the catch of the anglers. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the monitoring of freshwater fish community in Croatia by anglers’ data over the six year period (2004-2009). The current quantity of fish species in Croatian freshwaters is evaluated by catch per unit effort (CPUE). The evaluated CPUE parameter was highest in 2006 (18.42 kg/per angler), and lowest in 2009 (15.43 kg/per angler). During the study period the number of anglers oscillated minimally. The yearly average number of anglers was 36, 612 while the yearly average of total catch was approximately 618.656 kg. The results on the total anglers’ catch correlates with the increasing with the increasing number of anglers proves there is no overfishing. The most common fish species caught by the anglers were common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The results on the variability coefficient (CV) of catfish (Silurus glanis) and common carp were only 5.84% and 7.06% respectively, showing a steady catch over the years. On the contrary CV for asp (Aspius aspius) was almost 80% (79.69%) because, in 2007 due to some unknown reasons, the catch was exceptionally high. Therefore, for better and easier freshwater management it is necessary to develop an accurate fish stock monitoring method. Precise collection of reliable data on the anglers’ catch may be one of them.

monitoring; fish stock; anglers

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