Rapport sur la campagne de pêche de l'ORVET dans les eaux tunisiennes

The Tunisian government, wishing to promote the development of fisheries in Tunisian waters, expressed its desire to resume and continue the research initiated the preceding year by the "Perche". The Scientific and Technical Office of Marine Fisheries delegated the study to the Marine Laboratory in Banyuls-sur-Mer that possesses a steamship, the "Orvet", specially equipped for all types of fishing operations and oceanographic research. The "Orvet" arrived in Tunis on 4 August with a scientific staff on board composed of Prof Pruvot, director of the Banyuls Laboratory and member of the board of directors of the Fisheries Office, assisted by Mrs A. Pruvot and Mr Dantan and Mr Migot, both laboratory assistants at the Sorbonne. The vessel was then commanded by Mr Ducuing, a Navy officer delegated to the Civil Works Service of Tunisia. His experience and extensive knowledge of the region were invaluable assets for the expedition. The main objective was to explore to what extent and at what distance from the coast the seafloor provides favourable conditions for trawl operations beyond the area that is currently exploited by fishers and where more powerful gear could be used. It was unanimously decided that instrument lines would be deployed and regular bottom samples and appropriate fishing operations, preferably trawling, would be performed along these lines.