Optimization of fishing for stock enhancement of Rutilis rutilus and Scardinius erythropththalmus in forage fish-deficient Tunisian reservoirs.

Twenty specially designed fishing nets were used to catch broodstock of the forage fish roach and rudd (Rutilus rutilus and Scardinius erythrophthalmus). The monofilament gill nets were of different mesh sizes (18, 22, 24, and 26 mm) but of identical dimensions (4 × 50 m). The fish, caught in Sidi Salem reservoir in 2014, amounted to a total of 8901 roach and rudd caught at 41 different times; 3335 broodstock forage fish were transferred to 11 forage fish-deficient Tunisian reservoirs.

Trace element accumulation and elutriate toxicity in surface sediment in northern Tunisia (Tunis Gulf, southern Mediterranean).

Metal concentrations in sediments were investigated in the Gulf of Tunis, Tunisia, in relation to anthropic activities along the Mejerda River and Ghar El Melh Lagoon, with effluents discharged into the gulf. Distribution of grain size showed that the silty fraction is dominant with 53%, while sand and clay averages are 34 and 12% respectively. Zn concentration increased in the vicinity of the Mejerda River while Pb was at its highest levels at the outlet of Ghar El Mehl Lagoon.

Assessing pollution in a Mediterranean lagoon using acid volatile sulfides and estimations of simultaneously extracted metals.

Bizerte Lagoon is a southern Mediterranean semi-enclosed lagoon with a maximum depth of 12 m. After assessing sediment quality, the authors report on the physicochemical characteristics of the lagoon's surface sediment using SEM (simultaneously extracted metals) and AVS (acid volatile sulfides) as proxies. Biogeochemical tools are used to investigate the environmental disturbance at the water-sediment interface by means of SEM and AVS to seek conclusions concerning the study area's pollution status.

Characterization of fish assemblages and population structure of freshwater fish in two Tunisian reservoirs: implications for fishery management.

To monitor and assess the state of Tunisian freshwater fisheries, two surveys were undertaken at Ghezala and Lahjar reservoirs. Samples were taken in April and May 2013, a period when the fish catchability is high. The selected reservoirs have different surface areas and bathymetries.