Development of artificial lobster baits using fish silage from tuna by-products

The present work shows that an artificial bail can replace the traditional baits (raw fish) using tuna by-products preserved with citric and phosphori c acids to produce an acid fish silage. After 2 months preservation by mixi ng minced viscera from the tuna industry with 2.6% each of citric and phosp horic acids, the silage was ready to be blended in two different mixtures; acid, or non-neutralized, and neutralized with 5% sodium carbonate to reach a pH close to 6. The baits were made by mixing both types of silage (non-n eutralized and neutralized) with starch, fishmeal, and fish oil to prepare a sausage-like bait weighing 150 g each. A cellulose membrane was used to c over the bait and a cotton string to close them at both ends. After measuri ng the soluble protein loss at different times throughout 48 h, it was show n that baits leach out up to 0.88 mg protein per g bait per hour. Both type s of bait did not show any significant difference compared to the natural b ait (raw fish) when tested under commercial fishery conditions. The baits w ere also tested for dehydration by hanging until a 14% water content was re ached. However, the dry baits showed a lower leaching rate when they were e xposed to water. More experiments should be performed in order to conclude if dried baits are able to attract lobsters in a way similar to the moist b aits.