Creel catches of crab, Cancer pagurus L. using different baits

Abstract

Creel catches of the edible crab, Cancer pagurus were compared using fresh fish bait with or without the addition of recently killed Cancer. The addition of the crab to the fish bait reduced the catch of live Cancer by 54%. The reduction in catch was proportionately less when only part of the crab (carapace or chelae) was added to the fish bait. These results lend some support to the suggestion of Hancock (1974), that chemically induced intraspecific avoidance responses may be well developed in some crustaceans.