Using Biodegradable Materials in Crab Pots to Mitigate Ghost Fishing Effects

Abstract

The modification of crab traps using biodegradable cotton rope, particularly on panel ropes and trap mouth ropes, aims to reduce the impact of ghost fishing. While the characteristics of cotton rope have been tested in the laboratory, they have not been directly tested in field fishing operations. This research aims to analyze cotton ropes' technical use and damage levels, compare crab catches in control and modified traps, and provide recommendations for fishermen to use modified traps. Experimental fishing involved operating 500 units of modified traps with cotton ropes and 500 units of control traps used by fishermen. The trap operations were conducted over 30 trips in Gebang Mekar, Cirebon Regency, and West Java, Indonesia. The results indicate that the modified and control traps use the same operating techniques and damage levels. The crab catches in the modified traps reached 1101 individuals with a total weight of 130.9 kg, not significantly different from the control traps, which reached 1110 individuals with a total weight of 129.8 kg (p > 0.05, T-test). Based on technical use, damage levels, and catch results, fishermen can use modified traps made from cotton rope as an effective alternative to prevent ghost fishing in crab trap fisheries.