Behavioural interactions of diamondback terrapins with crab pots demonstrate that bycatch reduction devices reduce entrapment

摘要

1. Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) have experienced declines throughout their range, and accidental mortality in crab pots is a significant conservation concern. To minimize the risk of terrapins entering crab pots, researchers have suggested the use of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) to reduce the size of crab pot openings and thereby exclude terrapins from entering crab pots. Despite these recommendations, few studies have observed terrapin interactions with BRDs and effectively evaluated the efficacy of these devices at preventing the entry of terrapins into pots.