Seasonal variations of catch composition of drift nets in Hormozgan waters (Persian Gulf)

The study was conducted to obtain some information about temporal and spatial variations of multifilament drift gillnet catch communities in coastal waters of Hormozgan Province (Persian Gulf) from October to March 2014. Totally, seven families were identified including Scombridae, Carangidae, Carcharhinidae, Sphyranidae, Stromatidae, Belonidae, and Pesttodidae with total biomass of 73.03%, 12.67%, 7.88%, 1.36%, 0.73%, 2.24% and 2.06%, respectively. Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis) showed the highest percentage of total catch with the number and weight percentage of 33.26% and 27.9% respectively. The lowest percentage catch was Indian spiny turbot (Psettodes erumei) with 7% and Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) with 5% of total catch. Simper analysis between autumn and winter showed that the species Kawakawa (E. affinis), Talang queen fish (Scomberoides commersonnianus), Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), Long tail tuna (Thunnus tonggol), Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) and Silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) were responsible for 81.67% of dissimilarity. Two species Kawakawa and Talang queen fish showed the highest dissimilarity.