Modification of the standard peeler pot using four different culling devices to reduce bycatch in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina / by Randall L. Pulley.
| Author/creator | Pulley, Randall L. author. |
| Other author | Rulifson, Roger A. (Roger Allen), 1951- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2004. |
| Description | xiii, 167 leaves : illustrations, map ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Subject | The capture of bycatch in non-selective fishing gear is one of the biggest issues facing fisheries today. Commercial fishermen in North Carolina have observed that peeler pots trap a considerable amount of bycatch such as American eels {Anguilla rostrata), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), other small finfish species, hard blue crabs {Callinectes sapidus) that are not ready to shed, and non-harvestable (small) peelers. A complete randomized block design, containing multiple repeated treatments, with repeated measures was used to test the effectiveness of three culling devices in 2002 (38-mm and 51-mm diametric rings, and 38-mm x 38-mm square panels) along with three more in 2003 (51-mm and 56-mm diametric rings, and 38-mm x 38-mm square panels) in an attempt to reduce bycatch in peeler pots in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. Catch rates were similar in all devices for all finfish species except for pinfish, oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), and American eel, which all together accounted for 57.7% of the total finfish bycatch in 2002, and a remarkable 73.3% in 2003. The 51-mm cull rings, 56-mm cull rings, and 38-mm x 38-mm cull panels proved to be extremely effective in eliminating these three finfish species. These same three cull devices seem promising in also eliminating the catch of most hard crabs in peeler pots. However, the 51-mm and 56-mm cull rings have extremely low catch rates of peeler crabs suggesting they allow the escape of many peeler crabs that would be considered valuable by commercial fishermen. Catch rates of the 38- mm X 38-mm cull panels proved to be similar to that of the standard peeler pots, while also producing larger, more marketable peelers. The use of the 38-mm x 38-mm cull panels in peeler pots should prove beneficial to commercial peeler crabbers. The 38-mm X 38-mm cull panels proved to reduce the catch of hard crabs and three of the major finfish bycatch species for this study, while also maximizing peeler productivity. Cull devices had no significant effect on survival of bycatch species retained in the pots. Water quality variables believed to predict the catch rate of all species were not found significant. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Roger A. Rulifson |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2004 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-124). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
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