The Behaviour of Turkish Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Fishing Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to contribute to Turkish tuna fishing fleet management. In this context; The Turkish Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus, 1785) fishing fleet in our territorial waters and international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean were monitored on a spatio-temporal basis and a continuous monitoring model for BFT stock was established. Archival data sets of Bluefin Tuna (BFT) 2010-2016 spatial-temporal migration and remote sensing data sets of traces of fishing vessels and environmental factors (SST and Chl-a) were included in the model. Statistical analysis of the model was performed using Geographical Information System (GIS) based-approach and the results were presented on thematic maps. On the other hand, the importance of the announcement of The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for BFT fishing in Eastern Mediterranean was addressed in the study. Accordingly, the possibility of 'Turkey's Exclusive Economic Zone' announcement in Mediterranean Sea and its borders were discussed.

Keywords

• Bluefin tuna,Thunnus thynnus,fishing fleet behaviour,EEZ,GIS

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