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Vol. 76 (3) 2024

ARTICLES

Fisheries Bycatch in a Tropical Mangrove Forest, with a Focus on Gobies: a Case Study in Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam

Long Van Pham1,2, Linh Manh Ha3, Hai Hong Nguyen4, Nguyen Xuan Huan1, Anh Ngoc Thi Do5 & Hau Duc Tran4,6,*

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1VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam

2Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 10 Ton That Thuyet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

3Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Tay Bac University, Chu Van An Street, Quyet Tam Ward, Son La City, Vietnam

4Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

5Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Thai Nguyen University, Lao Cai Campus, Lao Cai, Vietnam

6Institute of Natural Science (INS), Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

*Correspinding author: hautd@hnue.edu.vn

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb76.3.002736

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Abstract
The goby fish is dominant in tropical mangrove estuaries like Xuan Thuy National Park in Vietnam, where fishing is allowed in the core area, but the lack of regulations targeting specific species and landing sizes contributes to bycatch issues. To address this, we conducted a one-year survey to investigate non-target and undersized fish bycatch. Based on collections using a series trap nets from March 2018 to February 2019, it revealed a relatively diverse goby community consisting of 28 species, with the most abundant being Glossogobius olivaceus and Bostrychus sinensis in the study site. Among the captured species, 16 (57.14%) had no economic value and were bycatch. Additionally, between 5.46% and 92.31% of individuals from each species had a standard length below the optimum length, including the three primary target species, B. sinensis, G. olivaceus, and G. giuris, with 88.81%, 90.95%, and 92.31% of individuals being smaller than the optimum length. The goby community in the study area faces severe bycatch issues concerning both non-target species and undesired size. As the body depth – standard length relation model estimated the optimum body depth of target species to be larger than 15 mm when the optimum length is used, we propose using fishing gear with a mesh size of 15 mm for sustainable fishing.

Key words
Ba Lat estuary, Goby fish, Optimum length, Sustainable fishing, Mesh size limits, Bycatch mitigation

How to Cite
Pham L.V., Ha L.M., Nguyen H.H., Huan N.X., Thi Do A.N. & Tran H.D. 2024. Fisheries Bycatch in a Tropical Mangrove Forest, with a Focus on Gobies: a Case Study in Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam. Acta zoologica bulgarica 76 (3) 383-392.

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