مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Modelling spatio-temporal distribution of red mullet (Mullus barbatus L., 1758), Izmir Bay

Abstract :

In this study, the relationships between the environmental factors with fishing pressure and abundance of red mullet spatio-temporal distribution was aimed to determine in the Izmir Bay. This study characterizes the interactions that control the short term spatio-temporal variability in the red mullet distribution process in terms of abundance. The distribution and relative abundance of the red mullet including the influence of environmental factors and fishing pressure were analyzed using a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) and a Geographic Information System (GIS) based approach to investigate relationships. The results obtained from the model estimates and evaluations provide important information about local fisheries management. As a result of the work, it supposed that lower abundance of the red mullet was associated with cold and saline bottom waters especially in deeper areas of Izmir Bay. Additionally, the stock is considered to be heavily exploited and the fishing pressure on the species considerable throughout the deeper area of Izmir Bay where bottom trawling is allowed. In conclusion, the prediction model indicates a large abundance of species in the Gülbahçe Bay and vicinity corresponding roughly to the observed data. Temporally, the species was found to be more abundant in winter and autumn mainly in December.