AN EVALUATION OF SMALL MESH BAITED TRAPS FOR PEELER CRAB CAPTURE

A study comparing catch of peeler blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in baited small mesh traps (1.27 cm x 2.54 cm rectangular and 2.54 cm squ are) and large mesh traps (3.81 cm hexagonal, 3.81 cm square, 2.54 cm x 5.08 cm rectangular, and 5.08 cm square) was conducted. Peeler crabs comprised 36 to 43% and 17 to 29% of the total catch in small and lar ge mesh traps, respectively. Rank peeler catch was 2.2 to 5.7 times gr eater in the small mesh traps than in the large mesh traps. A directed peeler fishery using baited small mesh traps may be viable in Louisia na.