Evaluation and comparison of fishing gears for the capture, management, and control of the invasive blue crab in a Mediterranean coastal area

Authors
Zucchetta, M., Boschiero, M., Facca, C., Riccato, F., Franzoi, P.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Regional Studies in Marine Science
Volume (Issue #)
97
Contact information
Marco Boschiero: marco.boschiero@unive.it
Summary

This study tested the use of different types of fishing gears to compare their effectiveness in catching the invasive blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The tested gears included traditional fyke nets and four types of crab pots with either single or double chambers. Results indicated that both the double chamber pot and fyke nets were most effective gears overall in terms of catch efficiency and yield (catch per unit effort). However, the double chamber pot had significantly higher species selectivity, with lower bycatch of the native green crab (Carcinus aestuarii), as well as greater size selectivity (targeting larger adults). 

Field Studies

Evaluation and comparison of fishing gears for the capture, management, and control of the invasive blue crab in a Mediterranean coastal area

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Chioggia, Italy
Target catch
Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
Effect on bycatch species
Double chamber trap had significantly less compared to fyke net
Effect on target catch
Higher target catch compared to fyke net
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear