Evaluation of by-catch composition and discard of traditional shrimp trawlers in the waters of the Persian Gulf, Khuzestan coasts (Lifeh - Booseif)

Regarding to study the amount of target, by catch and discard of traditional shrimp trawlers (dhows), series samplings were conducted in October-November 2011 in coastal waters of Khouzestan Province (Lifeh and Booseif fishing grounds). Thirty six tows as randomly selected stations were carried out and a total of 3525kg was collected. The catches were separated, identified and weighed.A total of 74 species belong to 51 families were identified of which 53 species were bony fishes belong to 34 families; 5 species of Chondrichthyes (4 family), 9 species of crustacean (6 family); 4 species of mollusks (4 family); 2 species of echinoderms (2 family) and one sea snake. On the other hand, the weights of target catch were: white shrimp with 534.3kg (81.25%), Metapenaeus affinis and Parapenaeopsis stylifera with 116.45kg (17.71%) and Penaeus semisulcatus 6.85kg (1.04%). An overall comparison of total catch was calculated as: Target catch (20%), by catch (22%) and discard (58%) consist of fish (61%), crustacean (34%), mollusks (1%) and others (4%).