Quantification de l’effort optimal de chalutage benthique dans le golfe de Gabès.

Abstract

The Trawl fishing is one of the main fishing activities in the Gulf of Gabes. Indeed, the increase in the trawl fleet has contributed to the degradation of benthic ecosystems and the impoverishment of fisheries in the area. The optimal effort for benthic trawling was quantified using the production models of Schaefer and Fox. The required data for the application of these models have been collected from the services of the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGPA). These data, which relate to coastal fishing and benthic trawling, the two main "metiers" exploiting the benthic resources of the region, extend over a period of 7 years (2012-2018). The selected unit of effort, which gives the best correlation coefficient, is the product of the multiplication of gross tonnage by the engine power by the number of trips at sea by the number of days at sea (T * CV * NS * NJ). Under current operating conditions, the optimal effort has been estimated at 177-189 benthic trawlers with an average engine power varying from 200 to more than 900 cv.