Using underwater video to evaluate the performance of the Fukui trap as a mitigation tool for the invasive European green crab ( Carcinus maenas ) in Newfoundland, Canada

PeerJ

article

Jonathan A. Bergshoeff¹  Cynthia H. McKenzie¹  Kiley Best⁴  Nicola Zargarpour¹  Brett Favaro¹ 

[1] Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador;Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador;Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador;Centre for Fisheries and Ecosystems Research, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

关键词: Green shore crab;    Portunidae;    Invasive species;    AIS control;    Crustacean;    Underwater cameras;    Fishing gear;    Catchability;    Multi-species marine trap;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.4223

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is a destructive marine invader that was first discovered in Newfoundland waters in 2007 and has since become established in nearshore ecosystems on the south and west coast of the island. Targeted fishing programs aimed at removing green crabs from invaded Newfoundland ecosystems use Fukui traps, but the capture efficiency of these traps has not been previously assessed. We assessed Fukui traps using in situ observation with underwater video cameras as they actively fished for green crabs. From these videos, we recorded the number of green crabs that approached the trap, the outcome of each entry attempt (success or failure), and the number of exits from the trap. Across eight videos, we observed 1,226 green crab entry attempts, with only a 16% rate of success from these attempts. Based on these observations we believe there is scope to improve the performance of the Fukui trap through modifications in order to achieve a higher catch per unit effort (CPUE), maximizing trap usage for mitigation. Ultimately, a more efficient Fukui trap will help to control green crab populations in order to preserve the function and integrity of ecosystems invaded by the green crab.

【 授权许可】

CC BY