Considerations on the feasibility of a directed fishery for panga Pterogymnus laniarius (Pisces: Sparidae)

Abstract

Recent assessments of the status of the panga Pterogymnus laniarius stock on the Agulhas Bank, South Africa, showed that catches could be sustained at considerably higher levels than those harvested at present. Although the stock could be successfully harvested using available fishing methods, the sympatry of this species with other commercial species, such as shallow-water Cape hake Merluccius capensis, Cape horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus capensis and other deep-reef species was of concern, because these species would form a significant bycatch in a panga-directed fishery. These findings highlight the problems of bycatch management and emphasize the need for creativity by both scientists and fishers in designing new and improved methods for selectively exploiting bycatch fish resources.