This study analyzed the selectivity of cylindrical net pot for the swimming crab (Charybdis japonica) using the SELECT model with a normal function. Data were obtained from four sea trials employing six mesh sizes (20.2, 27.6, 33.7, 37.9, 50.5, and 65.0 mm). The carapace length corresponding to the maximum catch in each mesh size ranged from 32.6 to 36.7 mm, whereas larger meshes of 50.5 mm and 65.0 mm exhibited peaks at 50.3 - 52.3 mm. This result clearly demonstrated that the size composition of the catch varied with increasing mesh size. The 50% retention carapace length (L50) ranged from 25.2 to 47.8 mm. When comparing fishing performance, smaller mesh pots generally yielded higher catches relative to the 20.2 mm reference pot. A comparison between the legal mesh size of 33.7 mm (nominal 35 mm) and the adjacent 37.9 mm mesh revealed that a 4 mm increase in mesh size significantly raised the proportion of crabs larger than 38 mm carapace length. Based on the minimum size at first maturity (28.86 mm), the optimal mesh size of the pot was estimated to be 35.59 mm. However, more precise sea trials and analyses are required to obtain reliable results. The findings also indicate that changes in mesh size have a clear influence on the size composition of swimming crab catches, suggesting that the correlation between mesh size and catch characteristics must be carefully considered to ensure sustainable resource management.

This study examined the operational characteristics and fishing performance of an offshore pot fishery targeting swimming crabs (Portunus trituberculatus) to identify key issues and proposed strategies for improving efficiency and fisher safety. Analysis was based on approximately one year of fishing logbook data recorded by a pot fishing vessel. The total annual catch amounted to 30,084 kg, with the highest catch per unit effort of 0.07 kg per trap observed in autumn at depths of 20–25 m. No crabs were caught below 15℃ while the peak catch occurred at around 25℃. Catches were geographically concentrated in the mid-northern West Sea, especially near Taean and Boryeong. Economically important bycatch species, including sand crabs, octopus, and turban snails, exhibited distinct spatial distributions. An average of 1,996 traps were deployed per operation with a low loss rate of 1.6 traps. Based on field-level observations, this study proposed the development of automated or semi-automated equipment, such as bait cutters, automatic mainline arranging devices, pot-hauling and separation systems, chilled water tanks for sorting, and automated unloading systems. These technologies are expected to reduce labor demands, improve safety, and enhance the overall operational efficiency of the pot fishery.

In order to develop the substitutive materials for natural baits of swimming crab pots, the attracting effects of swimming crab such as the preference of baits which were made of the by-products of marine and stock raising through the water tank experiments and fishing experiments. On the investigation of mean entrapped catch number to the pot by the baits after putting the 4 kinds of baits, mackerel(M), mackerel with grinded mackerel s internals(MMI), mackerel with tuna s internalsMMI) and makerel with grinded krill(MK) each in one pot by turns, MMI and MK were entrapped mean 3.9(13.0%) and they were a little more comparing to M, and MTI is least with mean 2.1(7.0%)(F=12.913, P 〈 0.05). Otherwise, on the preference investigation of swimming crabs by the baits after putting the 4 kinds of baits in the 4 pots each, M was entrapped mean 3.0(10%), but MMI, MTI and MK were mean 1.2(4.0%), 1.0(3.3%) and 1.5(5.0%) each and they were only 30-50% of M(F=13.398, P 〈 0.05). On the preference investigation of swimming crabs by the 5 kinds of baits, mackerel(M), and krill(K), manila clam(MC), pig s fat(PF) and chicken s head(CH) which were used in substitutive baits, M was entrapped mean 3.2(10.7%), but K was about 50% of catch of M with mean 1.6(5.3%), and MC, PF and CH were very few with mean 0.1-0.2(0.3-0.7%)(F=89.186, P 〈 0.05). On the preference investigation of swimming crabs by the pots which were put each the 3 kinds of baits, original krill(K), grinded krill with gluten and soybean oil cake(KGGS) and grinded krill with gluten, soybean oil cake and glycine(KGGSGL) in the blue fluorescent hexahedral plastic bait cages(BF), and which were put the mackerel(M) in the non-fluorescent hexahedral red plastic bait cage(RFN), it was entrapped mean 3.0(10.0%) in the pot which was put the mackerel in the RFN, and the same level in the pots which were put the K and KGGSGL in the BF, but it was mean 2.0(6.7%) in the pots which was put the KGGS in BF and it was decreased by 30% of catch comparing to RFN(F=3.750, P 〈 0.05). On the preference investigation of swimming crab by the pots which was put grinded tuna with gluten, soybean oil cake and glycine(TIGSGL) in the blue fluorescent hexahedral plastic bait cage(BF), and which was put mackerel(M) in the nonfluorescent hexahedral red plastic bait cage(RFN), it was entrapped mean 3.3(11.0%) in the pot which was put mackerel in RFN, and mean 2.7(9.0%) in the pot which was put TIGSGL in BF and it was about 15% less comparing to use bait M(t=1.387, P 〈 0.05). As a results of fishing experiments, a plan for enhancing catching efficiency of TIGSGL will be required because catching efficiency of TIGSGL, alternative bait, was half of fish catching efficiency of natural bait using mackerel. Fishing experiments were conducted 3 times using reinforced substitutive artificial bait that is reinforced attractive effect of TIGSGL and composed of tuna intestine, grinded mackerel, gluten, soybean cake, glycine and alanine(TIMGGSGLA). Catching efficiency of TIMGGSGLA was about 80% of that of natural bait made of mackerel.