Catch composition and estimated economic impacts of ghost-fishing squid traps near Suan Son Beach, Rayong province, Thailand

Abstract

The catch composition and economic impacts of ghost fishing in the fishing grounds near Suan Son Beach, Rayong province, Thailand, were examined based on interviews of squid fishers and experiments using ghost-fishing squid traps. In the province, 27 fisher families are engaged in squid trap fishing, and each family operates 100–300 squid traps. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) of the traps is 30–40 kg/100 traps/trip. The average price of a squid trap is 135 Thai baht (US$ 4.50), and traps have a lifespan of 1–2 months. Squid traps can ghost fish when they are lost in bad weather conditions, due to gear conflict, or when the trap materials deteriorate. The catches of experimental ghost-fishing traps were examined during two periods in 2017: May–July and August–October. The traps caught cephalopods and other species, both commercial and non-commercial. The commercial species included bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana), other squids, cuttlefishes, groupers, snappers, and blue swimming crabs. The total number of aquatic animals, total weight, and total economic value of the catches during May–July and August–October 2017 were 51 and 38 specimens; 12 000 g and 7250 g; and 6318.0 baht/27 traps and 5302.5 baht/28 traps, respectively.