What's the catch?

Over the past 24 months, commercial trap fishers targeting crabs in north coast estuaries (Port Stephens to Tweed Heads) have been monitored via scientific observers. Results shows that, although the use of escape gaps is not mandatory, the majority of commercial fishers targeting Mud Crabs and Blue Swimmer Crabs (>60%) are using them. Escape gaps represent a low-cost option for minimizing interactions with unwanted catches in NSW estuarine trap fisheries. This outcome is a direct result of collaboration among fishers, scientists and managers.

Data collected from the program is being analyzed. Analysis includes documenting all species captured in the fisheries (both target and unwanted) and modelling to quantify the effect of the voluntary use of escape gaps on target and unwanted catches.

Findings will address key knowledge gaps outlined in the NSW Marine Estate Threat and Risk Assessment

This research was funded by the NSW Government under the Marine Estate Management Strategy. The ten-year Strategy was developed by the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority to coordinate the management of the marine estate.

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