Effect of a terrapin excluder device on blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, trap catches

Authors
Guillory, V., Prejean, P.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Marine Fisheries Review
Volume (Issue #)
60/1
Page #s
38-40
Contact information
Louisiana Department of wildlife and Fisheries
PO Box 189, Bourg, LA 70343
Summary
Crab traps were fitted with a Turtle Excluder device to reduce the incidental capture of diamondback terrapins. No diamondback terrapins were caught during this study but the total catch rate of targeted blue crabs, compared to the standard traps, increased by 25.7% (14.5% sublegal size, 32.9% legal size). The difference in total catch rates and catch rates of legal sized blue crabs between the two traps were significantly different.