Study of Traditional Brackish Water Crab Traps in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India

The present study explores the various types of brackish water crab traps used in the coastal region of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Seven different types of crab traps from seventeen coastal villages were observed and studied regarding design aspects, construction, operation methods, etc. The data were analyzed to check the relationship between the catch rate per trip and the duration of the trap in water, as well as the position of the entrance from the bottom of the trap. The result showed that the ring trap, full metal body trap, fixed cylindrical trap, and umbrella crab trap had a positive relation with respect to catch and duration of trap in water. A positive relation was observed with catch and position of the entrance from the bottom for the fixed cylindrical trap, foldable cylindrical trap and metal-framed box trap. Among all the seven traps, the fixed cylindrical trap and umbrella crab trap were the most efficient crab traps with respect to catch used in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.