Baits for lobster fishing. I - Tests of acceptance

Abstract

In the present study, natural and processed baits for lobsters were tested on laboratory premises. The baits were placed in 4 tanks connected to a central tank in which the animais had initially been accomodated. The positive response of the lobsters consisted in their moving into the baited tank of their preference. Statistically, for both lobsters group I ( 9.5
-12.0 em TL) and II (12.1- 14.8 em TL) the natural baits were more efftcient probably because their attractive components had not suffered any Iarger chemical changes as was the case of the processed baits which, except for MK -12, do also contain a large amount of clay (as much as 45%). Comparing the processed baits, there were no statistical differences in their treatment, except for combination IV of group II, probably due to a reduced food selectivity for this group. Comparing the natural baits, some differences were registered in their treatment considering the interference of the low performance standard bait. On the other hand, ali natural baits were reasonably efftcient and fairly equivalent in performance. The processed standard bait, MK-12, turned out to be little efftcient when compared to natural baits, although it was better than other processed baits.