Ghost fishing efficiency in swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) pot fishery

Abstract

Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a global challenge that negatively affects marine environment through plastic pollution and continued capture of marine animals, so-called “ghost fishing”. In different pot fisheries, ghost fishing related to ALDFG is of concern, including pot fishery targeting swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus). This study quantified the ghost fishing efficiency by comparing it to the catch efficiency of actively fished pots of the commercial fishery. The results showed that the ghost fishing affects both target and bycatch species. On average, the ghost fishing pots captured 12.53 % (confidence intervals: 10.45 %–15.00 %) undersized crab and 15.70 % (confidence intervals: 12.08 %–20.74 %) legal-sized crab compared to the actively fished pots. Few individuals of several bycatch species were also captured by ghost fishing pots. The results of this study emphasized the need to develop new management strategies for reducing marine pollution by ALDFG and associated negative effects in this pot fishery.