Bycatch and discards of shrimp trawling in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf: ecosystem impact assessment and implications for a sustainable fishery management

Shrimp trawl fishery has evoked serious concerns at both regional and global levels due to its strong association with the bycatch and its significant contribution to the total global discards. Using three data methods (examination of fishermen log-books, questionnaire survey and observer monitoring), the bycatch and discards associated with shrimp trawl fishery were studied, for two consecutive seasons (2013-2014 and 2014-2015), in the main shrimp fishing ground off Safaniya, along the Saudi coast in the Arabian Gulf. Safaniya fishing ground, with 37 large shrimp trawlers, was found to contribute a total shrimp catch of 500 to 755 t (up to 11% of the total national shrimp landings). Total bycatch (281-563 t) and discard (114-339 t) were substantial. A total of 104 fish and shellfish species were recorded in the bycatch, including 93 Osteichtyes, 3 Chondrichthyes, 6 Crustaceans and 3 Molluscs. The blue swimming crab, Portunus segnis, prevailed the bycatch (145-160 t), followed by the pharaoh cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis (2-16 t). Safaniya shrimp fishery was found to have high impacts on the shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus; target species) juveniles and other commercial species. Estimations of total number of turtles captured in the catch ranged between 1492 and 2018, indicating a serious threat of shrimp fishery on local turtle populations. The results of this study emphasize the urgent need to adopt appropriate bycatch reduction devices in shrimp fishery, in addition to enforcement of fisheries management regulations in order to protect the non-target resources and ensure a sustainable shrimp production in the Arabian Gulf.