Determination of suitable trap type for the Caspian crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus eichwaldi, in Anzali coastal area, Iran.

The efficiency of different types of traps for catching of the Caspian Sea crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus eichwaldi, was investigated from Mar. 2002 to Feb.2003. Totally 56 traps of four most commonly used types, Rectangular trap , Round trap , Opera house trap in two colors of black and blue , and Fathoms plus only in black were installed in depths of 35, 45, 55 and 65 meters along two transects in Anzali coastal area. The results revealed no significant differences (P =0.05) in the average length, weight and sex ratio among the crayfish in different months and applied traps. However, significant differences (P 0.05) in CPUE of different traps in various months of the study year were observed. Mean annual of CPUE in Opera house traps blue was the greatest (5.09±0.29) and the lowest was found in Fathoms plus traps (0.28±0.05). In general, all blue color traps performed better catch than the black ones.