1. Bycatch reduction device conserves diamondback terrapin without affecting catch of blue crab.
- Author
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Megan A. Rook, Romuald N. Lipcius, Bret M. Bronner, and Randolph M. Chambers
- Subjects
BYCATCH excluder devices ,BYCATCH prevention ,DIAMONDBACK terrapin ,BLUE crab ,FISHING catch effort ,FISHING equipment - Abstract
The article presents a study on a bycatch reduction device (BRD) that can be used as a tool to conserve diamondback terrapin without affecting the catch of blue crab. The study conducted in Chesapeake Bay involves testing a mechanism for reducing bycatch of diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin in blue-crab straps without impacting the blue crab catch. Terrapin captures at two shallow-water sites are compared using 10 paired sets of a trap fitted with BRD and a trap without BRD. The number, size, and condition of the captured crabs are recorded. The findings of the study show that crab catch was equivalent between traps with and without BRDs, however, traps with BRDs are effective in excluding all but the smallest terrapins from entering crab traps and had no effect on crab catch.
- Published
- 2010
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