Holding wild Snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio : effects of stocking density and feeding on survival and injury

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1590-1595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sten Ivar Siikavuopio ◽  
Philip James ◽  
Bjørn Ronald Olsen ◽  
Tor Evensen ◽  
Atle Mortensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Density ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio

scholarly journals Size-at-maturity shift in a male-only fishery: factors affecting molt-type outcomes in Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell R J Mullowney ◽  
Krista D Baker
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Newfoundland And Labrador ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Large Male ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Size At Maturity ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Male Density ◽  
Process Factors

Abstract A sex-asymmetric downward shift in size-at-terminal-molt has recently occurred in males in some portions of the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) snow crab stock range, a first known occurrence for such processes in snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) stocks. This study examines plausible factors promoting the shift in size-at-terminal-molt [synonymous with size-at-maturity (SaM)] including individual size, temperature, population density, and sex ratio. Analyses highlight expanse of cold water and large male density as being significant predictors of molt-type outcomes. A confluence of cold conditions and low density of large males promoted the SaM shift. In turn, the low male density was associated with recently elevated fishery exploitation rates under quota-controlled management. It remains unknown the extent to which the reduction in terminal size reflects a phenotypic vs. genotypic process. Factors affecting skip-molting in male snow crab are investigated, and we find that skip-molting occurs most frequently under extreme cold and high population density conditions. Potential complications arising from altered growth dynamics are discussed. Overall, the results advance knowledge on intraspecific competition processes within snow crab populations and inform fisheries management systems that male-only harvest strategies do not provide full protection from biological harm to aquatic resources through fishing.

scholarly journals Panmixia in Alaskan populations of the snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (Malacostraca: Decapoda) in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory T. Albrecht ◽  
Kris J. Hundertmark ◽  
Alexandra E. Valentin ◽  
Sarah M. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Snow Crab ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio

SHELL STRENGTH AND CARAPACE SIZE IN NON-ADULT AND ADULT MALE SNOW CRAB (CHIONOECETES OPILIO)

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-D. Dutil ◽  
C. Rollet ◽  
R. Bouchard ◽  
W. T. Claxton
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio

Functional Maturity in Small Male Snow Crabs (Chionoecetes opilio)

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 2106-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Ennis ◽  
R. G. Hooper ◽  
D. M. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Small Male ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Breeding Migration ◽  
High Level ◽  
Snow Crabs

The mean size of male snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in sexual pairs during the annual spring breeding migration to shallow water in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, decreased from 118.6 mm carapace width (CW) in 1983 to 100.3 mm in 1987. This decrease is due to an increase in males <95 mm CW participating from 1.5% in 1983 to 32.3% in 1987. This change appears to have resulted from a reduced abundance of commercial size [Formula: see text] males due to a rapid development of an illegal fishery on this previously unfished population and, as a consequence, less competition between males for possession of females. The percentages of spermathecae containing new spermatophores for females paired with males <95 mm CW (67%) and those with males [Formula: see text] (79%) were not significantly different. We assumed that each female with new spermatophores had recently mated with the male with which it was paired. Observations on selected pairs in captivity showed that males <95 mm CW are capable of mating with both primiparous and muitiparous females. Our results indicate that small mature males can replace large males in breeding activity in a snow crab population. We conclude that in the male-only snow crab fishery in Atlantic Canada with a minimum legal size of 95 mm CW, population reproductive potential is maintained at a high level despite high exploitation rates on males [Formula: see text].

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