Acta Adriatica, Vol. 58 No. 1, 2017.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32582/aa.58.1.12
Recent records of swordfish attacks on harpoon vessels in the Sicilian waters (Mediterranean Sea)
Teresa ROMEO
; ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) - Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Via dei Mille 46 - 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy
Giovanni AMMENDOLIA
; ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) - Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Via dei Mille 46 - 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy
Simonepietro CANESE
; ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) – Via Vitaliano Brancati 60 – 00166 Roma, Italy
Franco ANDALORO
; ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) - STS of Palermo, c/o Residence Marbela, via Palermo, Salvatore Puglisi 9, 90143 Palermo, Italy
Piero BATTAGLIA
; ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) - Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Via dei Mille 46 - 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy
Abstract
Recent cases of swordfish attacks on harpoon fishing vessels of the Sicilian fleet were examined and the particular behavior adopted by this fish during the approach to fishermen was described.
The information was collected in the period between 1999 and 2014 in Sicilian waters (Mediterranean Sea) through interviews with harpoon fishermen and through direct observations
during research activities. Additional cases of the attacks from the previous years are also reported. Overall, 29 cases of swordfish aggressive behavior against fishing boats were documented.
Swordfish usually attacked when provoked or when wanted to defend its mate and in several cases, it tried to pierce the boat by the bill. Some attacks culminated with a damage to the target, whereas
no injuries to humans were recorded.
Keywords
Xiphias gladius; behavior; attack; human risk; harpoon fishery; Mediterranean Sea
Hrčak ID:
185184
URI
Publication date:
26.6.2017.
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