Abstract
To examine the mesh selectivity and optimum mesh size of gill nets for silver promfret Pampus argenteus, the field experiments were carried out during June 27th to July 3rd, 2005 at the coastal area of Imja island. The experimental gill nets for silver promfret were used in two set, which one set was consisted of 12 sheets, and each set was connected alternatively four defferent sheets those were 141mm, 148mm, 155mm and 164mm in mesh size. The analysis of mesh selectivity curve was done by Kitahara's method. The total number of fishes caught by experimental fishing of gill nets for silver promfret was 1,409, and it was consisted of 1,022 silver promfrets(72.5%), 123 croakers(8.7%), 70 red tongue soles(5.0%), 67 blue crabs(4.8%), 22 red seabreams(1.6%), and 105 other fishes(7.4%). The number of fishes caught by the mesh size was 244 at mesh 141mm(mean 6.8/sheet), 261 at mesh 148mm(mean 7.3/sheet), 295 at mesh 155mm(mean 8.2/sheet) and 222 at mesh 164mm(mean 6.2/sheet). The body weight of fishes caught by the mesh size was 102.1kg at mesh 141mm(mean 2.8kg/sheet), 112.9kg at mesh 148mm(mean 3.1kg/sheet), 132.8kg at mesh 155mm(mean 3.7kg/sheet), and 100.4kg at mesh 164mm(mean 2.8kg/sheet). The value of maximum l/m on mesh selectivity curve and the value of l/m on the selection range of 50% was estimated at 1.91 and from 1.63 to 2.23, respectively. Therefore, the optimum mesh size of gill nets for silver promfret was estimated 135mm, and the total length at the selection range of 50% was from 220mm to 301mm. But, it will be useful to use the mesh size of gill nets which is about 10-15% larger than the estimated optimum mesh size of gill nets considering the number of fishes caught, body length and body weight etc.
