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Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences
Evaluating Optimal Removal Of Derelict Blue Crab Pots In Virginia, Us, Andrew M. Scheld, Donna M. Bilkovic, Kirk J. Havens
Evaluating Optimal Removal Of Derelict Blue Crab Pots In Virginia, Us, Andrew M. Scheld, Donna M. Bilkovic, Kirk J. Havens
VIMS Articles
Derelict fishing gear is a growing concern in many fisheries and coastal communities. Pots and traps are prevalent forms of derelict fishing gear with numerous documented harmful effects. In the Chesapeake Bay, US, a large blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) pot fishery produces high levels of derelict gear. From 2008 to 2014, 34,408 derelict pots were removed from blue crab fishing areas in Virginia. This research first evaluates whether observed increases in catch rates occurring contemporaneously with the removal program were the result of derelict gear removals. An econometric production model is then used to estimate marginal removal benefits …
Molting In The Mature Female Blue-Crab, Callinectes-Sapidus Rathbun, Kirk J. Havens, Jr Mcconaugha
Molting In The Mature Female Blue-Crab, Callinectes-Sapidus Rathbun, Kirk J. Havens, Jr Mcconaugha
VIMS Articles
The present study examined the hypothesis that mature female blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, do not enter a terminal anecdysis. Induced molting via eyestalk ablation, size frequency distributions, gonad development and limb regeneration indices from field collected animals are used as indicators of potential post maturity molts. Eyestalk ablation of 15mature females resulted in ecdysis in II individuals approximately 51 days (standard error = 0.64) after ablation, indicating a physiological ability of mature females to complete ecdysis. Analysis of size frequency distributions from catch data indicated two distinct shifts from smaller to larger females, one in early spring and a second …