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Size Selectivity Of Purse Seines In The Southern Philippines Multispecies Tuna Fisheries, Michael A. Rice, Joseph T. Dealteris, Samuel E. Resma

Michael A Rice

The multi-species Philippine tuna purse seine fishery targets three tuna species: skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). These are highly migratory pelagic fishes that grow to different maximum lengths and weights. At present there is no mesh size regulation specific to the fishery in the Philippines although tuna purse seines generally use 8.9cm (3.5 in) mesh size in the bunt of the net. An empirical analysis was conducted to compare the catches of purse seine nets with two different mesh sizes in the top portion of the bunt: 8.9cm and 12.7cm. Field measurements of …