Fine-scale behavior of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) around bait: approach distances, bait plume dynamics, and effective fishing area
Publication: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
1 July 2021
Abstract
The behavior of fish around bait is poorly understood despite it being important for the fish catching process and estimating relative abundance. We used a fine-scale acoustic positioning system to quantify the movements of 26 red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) around 120 bait deployments in 2019 at a natural reef site (∼37-m deep) in North Carolina, USA. There were 39 instances of tagged red snapper approaching bait during four baiting days, some of which approached due to apparent sensory cues (28%), while most approached incidentally (72%). Tagged red snapper approached bait from initial distances of 1 to 1147 m (median = 27 m; mean = 86 m), and took 0–77 min (mean = 22 min) to approach. Fish were more likely to approach bait if they were located close to, and down-current of, the bait at deployment. Our estimated effective fishing area of 2290 m2 (within which >50% of red snapper responded to bait) could be used along with video counts and other information to estimate densities of red snapper.
Résumé
Le comportement des poissons autour d’appâts demeure mal compris, malgré son importance pour le processus de capture et l’estimation de l’abondance relative de poissons. Nous utilisons un système de positionnement acoustique à échelle fine pour quantifier les déplacements de 26 vivaneaux rouges (Lutjanus campechanus) aux alentours de 120 déploiements d’appâts effectués en 2019 dans un site récifal naturel (∼37 m de profondeur) en Caroline du Nord (États-Unis). Trente-neuf cas où des vivaneaux rouges se sont approchés d’appâts ont été recensés durant quatre jours d’appâtage, certaines de ces approches étant motivées par des signaux sensoriels apparents (28 %), alors que la plupart étaient le fruit du hasard (72 %). Les vivaneaux rouges marqués ont parcouru des distances initiales de 1 à 1147 m (valeur médiane = 27 m; moyenne = 86 m) et ont pris de 0 à 77 min (moyenne = 22 min) pour s’approcher d’appâts. Les poissons étaient plus susceptibles de s’approcher d’appâts s’ils se trouvaient à proximité ou en aval courant de l’appât au moment de son déploiement. La superficie de pêche effective estimée de 2290 m2 (dans laquelle >50 % des vivaneaux rouges ont réagi aux appâts) pourrait être utilisée de concert avec des dénombrements vidéo et d’autres renseignements pour estimer la densité de vivaneaux rouges. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Volume 79 • Number 3 • March 2022
Pages: 458 - 471
History
Received: 26 February 2021
Accepted: 23 June 2021
Accepted manuscript online: 1 July 2021
Version of record online: 1 July 2021
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© 2021 The Author(s). Permission for reuse (free in most cases) can be obtained from copyright.com.
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Nathan M. Bacheler, Brendan J. Runde, Kyle W. Shertzer, Jeffrey A. Buckel, and Paul J. Rudershausen. 2022. Fine-scale behavior of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) around bait: approach distances, bait plume dynamics, and effective fishing area. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
79(3): 458-471. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0044
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