GRANT
NUMBER:
NA67FD0034
NMFS NUMBER:
95-SER-021
REPORT
TITLE:
Degradability of Natural Materials Used to Attach Escapement
Panels to Blue Crab Traps in Texas
AUTHOR:
Shively, J. Dale
PUBLISH
DATE:
February 28, 1997
AVAILABLE
FROM: National
Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Region, 9721 Executive
Center Drive, North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702.
PHONE: (813) 570-5324
ABSTRACT
Mortality of
blue crabs associated with "ghost" fishing traps
in the recreational and commercial fisheries is a problem
of increasing concern to fisheries managers, commercial
fishermen, and environmental groups. Degradability
(days-to-breaking) of four binding materials (jute, heavy
duty cotton, cotton cable, and medium weight cotton) used
in the construction of escapement panels and attachment
loops for lid tie-down straps in Texas coastal waters
were monitored for a 17 month period. Jute and
sisal materials had lower days to breaking than the cotton
materials. Their use is recommended to reduce the
effects of ghost fishing by abandoned traps in Texas coastal
waters.
