Artificial lures to reduce bait use in the artisanal Octopus maya fishery of the Campeche Bank, Mexico

This study evaluates artificial lures as a sustainable alternative to natural bait in the small-scale red octopus ( Octopus maya ) fishery of the Campeche Bank, Mexico. An experiment with 21 fishing trips compared both methods. Lures yielded 26.5 octopuses and 13.7 kg per trip, versus 23.9 octopuses and 12.6 kg with bait. No differences in weight (p = 0.6) or number (p = 0.54) were found, indicating lures are as effective as bait. Based on operational data from three fishing seasons (2021–2023) and interviews with experienced fishers, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of both strategies. Lures are more cost-efficient, mainly due to their reusability. Lure-based operations had an average daily lure cost of 2.12 USD, representing a cost of 0.013USD per kg of octopus. In contrast, bait costs were estimated at USD 31.8 per day per vessel, and USD 0.46 per kg of octopus. Using artificial lures could save approximately half a ton of crabs per vessel, as each vessel typically requires around 6 kg of bait per fishing day over the 90 days commonly fished in a season, thereby significantly reducing fishing pressure on crab populations. Additional benefits of lures include improved hygiene, and no need for refrigeration for bait storing. Although made of plastic, lures contribute to reducing waste by lowering the frequency of line replacement, as bait is often discarded with the tying line. Although potential negative externalities are recognized—requiring monitoring and intervention when justified—lures present a viable solution aligned with broader local fisheries sustainability initiatives. • Field-tested lure reduces reliance on wild crab bait in the Octopus maya fishery • Artificial lure matches natural bait in octopus catch weight and landing numbers. • Each lure spares ∼24 kg of crab bait, saving ∼0.5 tons per vessel per season. • Daily lure cost is $2.12 vs. $31.8 for bait, cutting fishing costs significantly • The lure helps conserve wild crabs and lowers operational costs for fishers.