Snow Crab harvesters from some areas are reporting changing depredation levels in their crab pots, which would affect bait availability to Snow Crab and therefore catch rates. Harvesters in some areas also report changing the type and method of baiting pots to reduce bait loss. This questionnaire is meant to document how bait use (type, amount, and protection) has changed over time across Crab Management Areas (CMAs) within the NL Snow Crab fishery. Harvesters are also asked to document any observed changes in depredation (such as by sea lice or by fish species).

Harvesters have also raised concerns that increased depredation and decreased bait availability to Snow Crab will affect catch rates in the collaborative post-season (CPS) survey, which requires standardized bait use. This online survey is a first step in documenting potential changes in bait use and depredation across the stock area.

The results will be presented and discussed at the 2025 crab assessment and may form the basis of future research on the impacts of depredation on catch rates in the CPS survey.

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* 1. What year did you start fishing Snow Crab?

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* 2. What Crab Management Area or Fleet do you currently fish?

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* 3. Have you fished in this Crab Management Area for at least the past 5 years?

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