CETACEAN BYCATCHES IN TURBOT FISHERY ON THE WESTERN COAST OF THE TURKISH BLACK SEA

In April- June, 2002 and 2003, the cetacean bycatch was studied in the bottom gillnet fishery for turbot on the western coast of the Turkish Black Sea. The aim of the study was to gather information about the amount of the cetacean bycatch so that the conservation of the cetacean species in the Black Sea could be effectively managed. A total of 40 Phocoena phocoena (h rbour porpoise), one Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin) and one Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) were examined. There were 9(22.5%) male, 31(77.5%) female P. phocoena specimens and the most frequent length interval was 121-130cm (37.5%). Three females were pregnant. For better conservation measures on dolphin population in the Black Sea, knowing the exact number of incidental catch is of great importance. A conservation action plan should be implemented in the entire Black Sea for the responsible fisheries, mitigation measures and p otection of the cetaceans in the Black Sea