By-catch of juvenile flounder, Platichthys flesus L. 1758, in the glass-eel fishery of the Loire Estuary, France

Abstract

By-catch of 0-group flounder, Platichthys flesus L. 1758, in the Loire glass-eel fishery was estimated for 1987 and 1988. Samples were taken throughout the estuary but the by-catch mainly occurred in the Central area. This pattern was observed in both surveys despite different hydrological conditions. The overall by-catch was 41 million animals for 1987 and 7 million for 1988. This difference was not only a consequence of a lowered fishing effort, it also suggests a difference in year-class strength. Recause of the great variability of postlarval distribution the accuracy of the estimates was very poor and only orders of magnitude can be discussed. © 1990 IFREMER-Gauthier-Villars.