To assess the impact of bottlenose dolphins on the IRL blue crab fishery, we
kept records of the number of crab pots that showed signs of dolphin tampering
and the number of crabs per crab pot. When crabs were being harvested, an
inspection of each bait-well door was made to document signs of crab pot intetaction.
If signs of tampering were present, the following data were recorded: (1)
the bungee method securing the bait-well door, (2) bait type, and (3) the type of
indication (successful, unsuccessful). Interactions were considered successful if the
bait-well door had been pried open in a distinct half-circle shape (Fig. 2). Other
physical evidence which often accompanied successful interactions included:
missing bait fish, broken bungee cords, sediment on the sides of the traps, and
little or no crab harvest. Unsuccessful interactions were recorded when there was
physical evidence of a failed attempt to remove bait from the trap. In these cases,
the bait-well doors were only partially pried open (Fig. 2). Additional physical
evidence that accompanied unsuccessful interactions included sediment on the
sides of the traps, some intact bait, and little or no crab harvest