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The catch characteristics and population structure of the brown crab (Cancer pagurus) fishery in the Isle of Man, Irish Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2017

Fikret Öndes ,
Jack A. Emmerson ,
Michel J. Kaiser ,
Lee G. Murray  and
Kevin Kennington
Fikret Öndes*
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK Faculty of Fisheries, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, 35620, Turkey
Jack A. Emmerson
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
Michel J. Kaiser
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
Lee G. Murray
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
Kevin Kennington
Affiliation:
Isle of Man Government Laboratory, Douglas IM1 4BR, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: F. Öndes School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Brown crab contributes to small-scale fisheries in the Isle of Man and landings (495 t) were worth in excess of £0.5 million in 2012. The present study sought to fill evidence gaps needed to improve the scientific understanding of this fishery. Observer data were collected to examine the spatial and temporal variations in the size distribution and sex ratio of crabs around the Isle of Man. This study also aimed to evaluate the catch characteristics of brown crab using logbook data (2007–2012), observer data (2012–2013) and questionnaire survey data (2013). The sex ratio is highly variable in different areas across seasons and was perhaps indicative of migration patterns in relation to mating. This change was most notable with a strong increase in the proportion of females to the south and west of the Isle of Man in the autumn months. The depth and pot volume were important factors that influenced the catch per unit effort (CPUE). Future survey designs would need to ensure adequate spatial coverage of the east and west coast of the Isle of Man together with a seasonal sampling regime that captures the spatial change in the distribution and abundance of male and female crabs.

Keywords

Cancer paguruscatch per unit effortlogbook dataobserver datafisheries managementIrish Sea
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 99 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 119 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2017 

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