Capture of
wild finfish fry in Mediterranean coastal areas and possible impact on
aquaculture development and marine genetic resources
S. Sadek, D. Mires-2000
Israeli Journal of Aquaculture-Bamidgeh, 52 (2) :
77-88 (from Current Contents)
Abstract :
The collection of wild finfish fry of sea bream
(Sparus auratus), sea bass (Dicentrachus labrax) and Mugilidae spp. is
widely spread in some countries along the Mediterranean coast. Egypt,
Greece, Israel, Italy, Tunisia and Turkey do most of the estimated 195.3
million catch. Of these, 130 million (66.6%) are caught in Egypt, 35.75
million (18.3%) in Turkey, 22.3 million (11.4%) in Italy, 4 million (2.1%)
in Tunisia, 3 million (1.5%) in Israel and 0.25 million (0.1%) in Greece.
Young mullet fry are used for stocking lakes and lagoons in various culture
systems: extensive, semi-intensive and intensive monoculture as well as in
polyculture with tilapias and carp. Sparidae and Serranidae spp. are mostly
used in extensive and semi-intensive systems. At present, the development of
Egyptian marine culture is severely inhibited by a shortage of finfish fry.
This paper presents an overview of the existing status of these catches in
this region with special emphasis on the Egyptian ecosystem, as well as
opinions as to the possible impact they may have on Mediterranean
aquaculture and fisheries as well as on marine genetic resources. Some
practical attempts to secure the availability of seeds from marine
hatcheries are also presented.
(Arab Aquaculture Consultants Off, 6 Dr Mahmoud Azmy
St, Cairo 11211, Egypt)