Claw removal and feeding ability in the edible crab,Cancer pagurus: Implications for fishery practice |
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| Authors: | Lynsey Patterson Jaimie T.A. Dick Robert W. Elwood |
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| Affiliation: | 1. CVRM-Geosystems Centre, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal;2. Escola Superior de Educação João de Deus, Av. Álvares Cabral, 69, Lisboa 1269-094, Portugal;3. Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Estrada do Guincho, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal;4. School of Marine Science & Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK;5. Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK;6. School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, UK;7. The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Plymouth, Devon, UK;1. Marine Fisheries Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan 316100, China;2. Marine Fishery College of Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316004, China;1. Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316100, China;2. Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;3. Marine Fisheries Research Institute of Zhejiang province, Zhoushan 316100, China |
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| Abstract: | Feeding ability and motivation were assessed in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, to investigate how the fishery practice of de-clawing may affect live crabs returned to the sea. Crabs were either induced to autotomise one claw, or were only handled, before they were offered food. Initially, autotomised and handled crabs were offered mussels, Mytilis edulis, a large part of their natural diet. After 3 days, both autotomised and handled crabs were then offered fish, a more readily handled food source. Autotomy induced crabs consumed significantly fewer mussels and less mussel mass, but ate significantly more mass of fish. This indicates that the effect of autotomy was a reduction of ability to feed on mussels rather than a general reduction of feeding motivation. The discontinuation of claw removal needs to be considered, both for the sustainability of the fishery and animal welfare concerns. |
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