The study was aimed at looking at the selectivity of basket traps in terms of what species were caught, at which sizes and to show the relationship between mesh size and fish size (length). Data collection was carried out at the Likoni landing site where 140 fish were sampled. Most of the catch was dominated by only a few species, including species from the families Siganidae (Rabbitfish), Lethrinidae (Emperors), Serranidae (groupers), Scaridae (parrotfish) and Acanthuridae (Surgeonfish) making up most of the catch. Small mesh sizes caught smaller fish (26-29cm) in contrast to large mesh sizes which caught slightly larger fish (28-39cm). Herbivorous fish including parrotfish, surgeonfish and unicornfish were mostly caught using large mesh sizes (5cm) while commercially important species such as rabbitfish, emperors and goatfish were caught using smaller mesh sizes (3cm).
Basket traps represent a traditional fishing method used in Kenya and other parts of the Western Indian Ocean (Samoilys et al. 2011). The dominance of basket traps is not only a common scenario in Kenya but basket traps are both responsible for the majority of fish captured in the Caribbean and around the world (Gobert, 1998; Mahon and Hunte, 2001). The primary reason for their popularity can be ascribed to the low-tech, low-cost and effectiveness of this gear type (Johnson, 2010). They are made of wood and reed strips that are interwoven making hexagon patterns and have one funnel entry.