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

Jonathan A Bergshoeff; Cynthia H McKenzie; Kiley Best; Nicola Zargarpour; Brett Favaro

doi:10.7717/peerj.4223

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. 2018 Jan 10:6:e4223. doi: 10.7717/peerj.4223. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Jonathan A Bergshoeff^{1

2}, Cynthia H McKenzie^{1

3}, Kiley Best⁴, Nicola Zargarpour^{1

2}, Brett Favaro^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
² Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
³ Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
⁴ Centre for Fisheries and Ecosystems Research, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Abstract

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.

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

Grants and funding

This project was funded by a Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response (MEOPAR) Early-Career Faculty Development Grant awarded to Brett Favaro (EC1-BF-MUN). Jonathan A. Bergshoeff and Nicola Zargarpour were supported by Ocean Industry Student Research Awards from the Research and Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (5404-1915-101 and 5404-1914-101, respectively). Funding was also provided by the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (H-2015-06), and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (currently, Department of Fisheries and Land Resources) Fisheries Development and Diversification Fund (NH-77836). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.