Trends in the Average Weight of Fish Caught by Artisanal Fishers in the Croatian Section of the Sava River

Abstract

The number of artisanal fishers and consequently their catch in the Sava River have been declining significantly for years. The aim of this study is therefore to examine how this affects the average weight of the most important fish species caught. The average weight increased significantly for bream Abramis brama (P < 0.01), pike-perch Sander lucioperca (P < 0.01) and wels catfish Silurus glanis (P < 0.05), while this was not the case for common carp Cyprinus carpio and pike Esox lucius (P > 0.05). Although recreational anglers also catch fish in the same waters, together with the two groups of fishermen from Bosnia and Herzegovina from the other bank of the river, it is expected that the average weight of the main fish caught will not decrease under the current circumstances.