Fukui foldable traps versus fyke nets as options for fishing European green crabs (Carcinus maenas) in soft-bottom habitats: Exploring efficiency and limiting bycatch

Abstract

The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) continues to expand in Atlantic Canada and other coastal regions worldwide. Since most control measures for this species have failed, there is a need for innovative and ecologically responsible mitigation measures. One such measure is a green crab control harvesting wherein affected fishers could recoup some of their losses through value-added products. As with any new control initiative, gear choice must be carefully considered. This study assessed catch efficiency and bycatch of two common gear: Fukui foldable traps and fyke nets. Both types of gear were systematically compared in two soft-bottom areas with abundant green crab populations over the course of a field season (early May–late September). In this study, fyke nets were more efficient, catching roughly three times the number of green crabs caught by individual Fukui foldable traps. However, fyke nets also caught nearly ten times more bycatch and doubled the number of native species caught. Fyke net bycatch also included proportionally higher numbers of endangered and commercially important species, such as American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus). Although in principle Fukui foldable traps seem better suited for green crab control because of lesser bycatch impacts, further studies should find ways to increase Fukui foldable trap efficiency or test fyke nets with bycatch reduction devices.