The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important species in Louisiana coastal waters. Louisiana landings account for more than 80% of Gulf of Mexico hard crab landings. In 2012, over 24 thousand metric tons of blue crab were landed in Louisiana with an economic value over $52 million. The blue crab fishery in the northern Gulf of Mexico relies heavily on Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) for bait, which is a species with stock concerns resulting in approximately a 20% decrease in total allowable catch beginning in 2013. Decreased landings results in increased cost of B. tyrannus for industrial and bait uses, demonstrating a need for new cost-effective alternative bait. Large amounts of waste are produced from processing over 40 thousand metric tons of penaeid shrimp annually landed in Louisiana. Shrimp carapace accounts for approximately ¨ö to ¨ø of the total biomass and can be used an attractant in alternative bait. The objectives of this study are: 1) determine a feasible attractant utilizing seafood processing waste; 2) determine if alternative bait soak time, diffusion, and catch will perform similar to B. tyrannus; and 3) Determine fishermen opinions and preferences for an alternative bait. Crabs responded favorably to bait created with shrimp waste as the attractant in laboratory choice bioassays. Field trials in three temperature regimes demonstrate soak time of alternative bait is comparable to the current natural bait used by the industry. Additionally, the alternative bait diffuses proteins, which stimulate feeding in crabs, at levels similar to or higher than natural bait. Paired-trap field trails demonstrated alternative bait produces catch rates comparable to natural bait; shrimp alginate accounted for 41% of total catch. Additionally, reduced rates of bycatch were seen in traps baited with alternative bait. Interviews conducted with commercial fishermen indicate the industry is willing to use alternative bait. Current results show a bait created with a waste product as an attractant is feasible. Alternative bait would benefit blue crab fishermen, B. tyrannus stocks by reducing fishing pressure, and processors by creating a value added product.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-04182014-234551 |
| Date | 12 May 2014 |
| Creators | Anderson , Angelle Nicole |
| Contributors | Kelso, William E., Anderson, Julie A., Kaller, Michael |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-04182014-234551/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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