Assessing the effectiveness of cuttlefish traps based on lure prevalence, survival and maturity status

Trap fishing is viewed as a low impact and fuel-efficient capture
technique that is drawing increasing attention. However, due to their low
capture efficiency fisheries sustainability may only be attained through
improving profitability of these gears. The present study attempted to
provide the necessary background for the establishment of a cuttlefish
trap fishery in Thermaikos gulf (E. Mediterranean), a heavily fished area
by gears of questionable sustainability such as the trammel nets. This
task required the implementation of gear types and fishing operation
techniques from other fishing areas. However, the use of empty traps or
traps equipped with an artificial spawning substrate like branches of
shrubs proved ineffective. Cuttlefish catches were only successful by
baiting the cuttlefish trap with a female lure which entices males to
enter the trap. We hereby propose that the method of choice is determined
by the physical characteristics of the fishing-ground area. Other
important factors including the shape and size of trap entrances and soak
time are also investigated in an attempt to address crucial knowledge gaps
and identify what the optimum fishing protocol and trap technical
characteristics are for this potentially new métier for the Greek
small-scale fisheries.