Chocolate squid (Todarodes pacificus) bait reduces snow crab catch rates

Abstract

This study evaluated the performance of chocolate squid (Todarodes pacificus) bait as a lower-cost alternative to traditional squid bait in a snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) fishery in Eastern Canada. The results showed that pots with chocolate squid bait had significantly lower catch rates compared to pots with traditional squid bait. The chocolate squid bait significantly reduced the number of crabs caught per pot by 13.99% and the weight of crabs caught per pot by 2.88 kg. Although the chocolate squid bait is cheaper, the decrease in catch rates could require increased effort to reach individual quotas, which could lead to longer or more frequent fishing trips and more traps being fished, increasing fuel consumption and habitat disruption, resulting in negative environmental impacts. Finding alternative lower-cost baits that maintain catch rates remains a key priority for reducing operational costs and minimizing environmental impacts in the snow crab fishery.