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Catching Octopus vulgaris with traps in the Azores: first trials employing Japanese baited pots in the Atlantic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2009

Gilberto P. Carreira  and
João M. Gonçalves
Gilberto P. Carreira*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas da Universidade dos Açores, Cais de Sta Cruz, PT9901-862 Horta, Açores, Portugal
João M. Gonçalves
Affiliation:
Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas da Universidade dos Açores, Cais de Sta Cruz, PT9901-862 Horta, Açores, Portugal
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Gilberto P. Carreira, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas da Universidade dos, Açores, Cais de Sta Cruz, PT9901-862 Horta, Açores, Portugal email: carreira@uac.pt
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Abstract

Trials with a new kind of fishing trap, the Japanese baited pot (JBP), were performed in the Atlantic for the first time, covering three target depths, 25 m, 75 m and 125 m in the Azores. The JBPs were proved to be efficient and highly specific to octopus. An average catch per unit of effort (CPUE) of 0.22 octopuses/trap/hour*100 was attained, and the highest mean value was reached at the shallowest depths (28 m ±4), with 0.33 octopuses/trap/hour*100. A decreasing CPUE with depth was observed, in accordance with what has been found for this species elsewhere. Considering the management measures enforced in the European Union for this species (minimum allowable catch size of 750 g), we found that ~25% of the caught octopuses by JBP were composed of marketable octopuses. The success of the JBP for Octopus vulgaris in the Azores and its specificity suggests that these traps may be useful for further stock assessment studies.

Keywords

cephalopodsoctopusJapanese baited potsAzoresfishery experiment
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 2 , January 2009 , e114
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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