AN EVALUATION OF SQUARE AND HEXAGONAL MESH BLUE-CRAB TRAPS WITH AND WITHOUT ESCAPE RINGS

Catch rates and sizes of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) were compare d in ringed and unringed 3.81-cm square mesh and hexagonal mesh traps. Sublegal catch per unit effort (CPUE) by number was significantly hig her in the unringed than in the ringed traps of each mesh type and in the square mesh than in the hexagonal mesh traps. Legal blue crab CPUE was highest in unringed hexagonal mesh traps. Square mesh traps with 5.87-cm escape rings may retain excessive numbers of sublegal blue cra bs.