DIFFERENCES IN MUD CRAB (Scylla spp.) CATCHES USING DIFFERENT BAIT ON BUBU FISHING GEAR IN LAMBUR LUAR VILLAGE JAMBI PROVINCE

Abstract

The mud crab (Scylla spp.) is a fishery resource of high economic value and plays an important role in maintaining the balance of mangrove ecosystems. In Lambur Luar Village, Muara Sabak Timur District, mud crab fishing activities generally use bubu traps with various types of bait. However, the effectiveness of each bait type on catch performance has not been clearly determined. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of different bait types on the catch performance of mud crabs and to identify the bait type most preferred by Scylla spp. The research was conducted from February to March 2025 in the mangrove waters of the Lambur Kecil River, Lambur Luar Village, using the experimental fishing method with three treatments: mudskipper fish bait (P1), chicken head bait (P2), and sea eel bait (P3), each repeated 16 times. The data collected included the number of crabs caught, total weight, carapace length, and carapace width, which were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The results showed that bait type had a highly significant effect on the catch performance of mud crabs. The chicken head bait (P2) produced the highest number and weight of catches, with an average weight of 407.7 g, carapace length of 10.6 cm, and carapace width of 12.6 cm. The mudskipper fish bait (P1) ranked second, while the sea eel bait (P3) yielded the lowest catch. It can be concluded that chicken head bait is the most effective bait for increasing mud crab catches using bubu traps in the waters of Lambur Luar Village, Muara Sabak Timur District