Ecological and Economic Effects of Derelict Fishing Gear in the Chesapeake Bay 2015/2016 Final Assessment Report. Revision 2.

Bilkovic, Donna Marie; Slacum, H. Ward; Havens, Kirk J.; Zaveta, Danielle; Jeffrey, Christopher F.G.; Scheld, Andrew M.; Stanhope, David; Angstadt, Kory; Evans, John

doi:10.21220/v54k5c

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…We estimated the number of organisms (crab and fish) killed per derelict trap per year by reviewing available data from in situ studies of capture and mortality rates in crab traps (e.g., Antonelis et al 2011;Bilkovic et al 2014;Bilkovic et al 2016;Butler and Matthews 2015;Havens et al 2008). While per-trap estimates of the number of crabs killed were directly available, per-trap estimates of finfish killed were not available.…”

Section: Mortality In Derelict Trapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The average capture rate was applied to TX, MS, AL, and FL waterbodies in the absence of data from site-specific bycatch studies b The proportion of captured finfish that are killed in traps has not been directly measured, either in the LDWF study or in the broader literature on this topic. Based on information related to blue crab capture and mortality rates, here we assume that 30% of captured fish are killed, which is likely an underestimate of the quick biological turnover within derelict traps (e.g., Antonelis et al 2011;Bilkovic et al 2012Bilkovic et al , 2016Havens et al 2008Havens et al , 2011 c In Louisiana, average captured finfish biomass was estimated for Pontchartrain (348 g), Barataria (406 g), Terrebonne (369 g), Vermillion-Teche (265 g), and Sabine (380 g). The average biomass was applied to TX, MS, and AL waterbodies.…”

Section: Fish Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating the Benefits of Derelict Crab Trap Removal in the Gulf of Mexico

Arthur¹,

Friedman²,

Weaver

et al. 2020

Estuaries and Coasts

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Ghost fishing in derelict blue crab traps is ubiquitous and causes incidental mortality which can be reduced by trap removal programs. In an effort to scale the benefits of such removal programs, in the context of restoring the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this paper calculates the ecological benefits of trap removal by estimating the extent of derelict blue crab traps across Gulf of Mexico waterbodies and combining these estimates with Gulf-specific crab and finfish mortality rates due to ghost fishing. The highest numbers and densities of traps are found in Louisiana, with estimates ranging up to 203,000 derelict traps across the state and up to 41 traps per square kilometer in areas such as Terrebonne Bay. Mortality rates are estimated at 26 crabs per trap per year and 8 fish per trap per year. The results of this analysis indicate a Gulf-wide removal program targeting 10% of derelict traps over the course of 5 years would lead to a combined benefit of more than 691,000 kg of crabs and fish prevented from mortality in ghost fishing traps. These results emphasize the importance of ongoing derelict trap removal programs. Future work could assess additional benefits of trap removal programs, such as fewer entanglements of marine organisms, improved esthetics, and increases in harvestable catch. Lastly, this model could be utilized by fishery managers to calculate the benefits of other management options designed to decrease the extent and impact of derelict fishing gear.

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