Lobster trap video: in situ video surveillance of the behaviour of Homarus americanus in and around traps

Abstract

A lobster-trap video (LTV) system was developed to determine how lobster traps fish for Homarus americanus and how behavioural interactions in and around traps influence catch. LTV consists of a low-light camera and time-lapse video cassette recorder (VCR) mounted to a standard trap with optional red LED arrays for night observations. This self-contained system is deployed like a standard lobster trap and can collect continuous video recordings for >24 h. Data are presented for 13 daytime deployments of LTV (114 h of observation) and 4 day and night deployments (89 h of observation) in a sandy habitat off the coast of New Hampshire, USA. Analyses of videotapes revealed that traps caught only 6% of the lobsters that entered while allowing 94% to escape. Of those that escaped, 72% left through the entrance and 28% through the escape vent. Lobsters entered the trap at similar rates during the day and night and in sandy and rocky habitats. Lobsters generally began to approach the trap very shortly after deployment, and many appeared to approach several times before entering. These data confirm the results of previous laboratory-based studies in demonstrating that behavioural interactions in and around traps strongly influence the ultimate catch.

Use of high-frequency imaging sonar to observe fish behaviour near baited fishing gears

“…Also, trigger fingers in pot tunnels appeared to inhibit entry by both of the target species. Earlier studies with fishes and invertebrates (High and Ellis, 1973;Fernö et al, 1986;Furevik, 1994;Jury et al, 2001) show that pot design is critical to capture success, and it is clear that direct observations of different pot modifications will help to make improvements.…”

Measuring efficiency and predicting optimal set durations of pots for blue cod Parapercis colias

“…For several pot types, continuous data show that target species often may enter and depart from pots apparently at will (e.g. Jury et al, 2001). The catch rate of pots thus reflects the rate at which the target species enters and exits the pot, in relation to the timing of hauling.…”

Spatially structured interactions between lobsters and lobster fishers in a coastal habitat: fine-scale behaviour and survival estimated from acoustic telemetry

“…In general, we found that lobsters with home ranges in areas with high relative fishing pressure were harvested while individuals who experienced less fishing pressure survived (p = 0.046; Table 2). However, Jury et al (2001) found that only 6% of American lobsters (Homarus americanus) that entered a trap were subsequently caught and concluded that lobster traps are ineffective and catch only a small proportion of lobsters present in a certain area. Other studies strengthen this theory (Lovewell et al 1988;Watson et al 2009).…”