The purpose of the expedition is to collect data on crab fishing in the spring and summer season: to study the distribution of its aggregations, biological characteristics, as well as to analyze by—catches, injury of individuals, the presence of epibionts and shell disease. During the business trip, the specialists performed a field biological analysis of more than 10,000 crab specimens from 316 traps and determined the quantitative and species composition of catches from almost 18,000 traps.
In May and July, the main concentrations of commercial medium—sized male light—shelled crabs were recorded in the southern part of the Central Upland, near the western border of the open part of the Barents Sea at depths of 200-250 m. In July, due to the deterioration of the fishing situation, the traps were gradually moved to the northeast. By-catch of bottom-dwelling fish during trapping turned out to be insignificant.
During the voyage, scientists also recorded the presence of three species of marine mammals: humpback and white-faced dolphins (cetaceans), as well as Greenland seals (pinnipeds).
The research results will help to more accurately assess the state of opilio strigoi crab stocks, calculate the total allowable catch for future years, make forecasts and improve fishing regulation measures.
VNIRO Press Service
