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Design and testing of a trap removing Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis, H. Milne Edwards, 1853) from invaded river systems
Schoelynck, J.; Van Loon, P.; Heirmans, R.; Jacobs, S.; Keirsebelik, H. (2021). Design and testing of a trap removing Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis, H. Milne Edwards, 1853) from invaded river systems. River Res. Applic. 37(2): 307-317. https://hdl.handle.net/10.1002/rra.3635
In: River Research and Applications. Wiley/Wiley & Sons: Chichester, West Sussex, UK. ISSN 1535-1459; e-ISSN 1535-1467, more
Peer reviewed article  
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Keyword
    Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853 [WoRMS]
Author keywords
    crab density; crab population; fish ladder; fisheries; invasive species; migration speed; river management
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Abstract
    The Chinese mitten crab is one of the top invasive species in Europe. In Flanders (Belgium), they are associated with river ecosystem degradation, especially the loss of aquatic vegetation and associated ecosystem services. Management measures have therefore been put in place to reduce the number of crabs migrating between the sea and freshwater areas and ultimately control the population. Although we are still long way from the goal, a low-cost method has been applied to successfully catch migrating crabs. In this article, we outline the design and functioning of the trap. We monitored the population in a lowland river, measured migration speeds and calculated crab densities. With over 1 million crabs caught in 2 years, the trap proved to be very effective. Median anadromous (spring) and catadromous (autumn) migration speeds were 0.69 and 0.96 km day−1, respectively. Anadromous migrating crab density was calculated to be up to 3.20 ind. m−2 river bed. Resident crab density was calculated to be up to 2.05 ind. m−2 river bed. We conclude that this trap is a very useful tool for water managers to catch Chinese mitten crabs in rivers and discuss the pathways towards reducing the population and protect the entire freshwater catchment.
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