Abstract:
In this study were examined the catch composition and catch, rates of commercial and discard species from the gill nets commonly used in small-scale fisheries in Ordu province. The trammel net captured a total of 25 species with 58% being target, 8% incidental and 34% discard species. Gillnetting captured a total of 18 species with 68% being target, 9% incidental and 23% discard species. Highest catch rates of species were 59.68%, and 52.95% for Merlangius merlangus, using trammel net and gill net respectively. We estimated that the use of gill nets has a high commercial/total catch ratio and low discard rate in this region and is suitable for sustainable fisheries.